Here are some of the questions we often get asked about Wales. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Then contact us with your query.
1. What is the population of Wales?
2. How many people in Wales can speak Welsh?
3. Can you explain why there is a dragon on your flag?
4. Can you translate the National Anthem for me?
5. What is the longest place-name in Wales?
6. What are the major cites in Wales?
7. What sport is played in Wales?
8. When is Wales' national day?
9. What is the climate like?
10. How can I get to Wales?
11. Is Wales a Country or a Principality?
12. Where can I find out about jobs in Wales?
1. What is the population of Wales?
The population in 2006 was 2.966 million. For more detailed information on population statistics visit Wales Population Bulletin
2. How many people in Wales can speak Welsh?
According to the 2001 census the percentage of people in Wales who could speak Welsh was 20.8% of the population. Dating back to the 9th century Welsh is one of the oldest languages in Europe. Visit the Welsh Language Board website for more information on the the history of Welsh and the Welsh language today.
3. Can you explain why there is a dragon on your flag?
The origins of Wales' flag, a red dragon on a green and white field, are lost in legend but may derive from Roman custom, a dragon having been the emblem of the cohort. In post-Roman times, legend warriors sometimes became known as 'dragons'. Arthur's father was Uther Pendragon, the 'chief dragon', and legend tells that he had a vision of a fiery dragon, interpreted by his seers as a sign that he would mount the throne. Legend tells too of the struggle between the red dragon of Wales and the white dragon of England, foretelling the victory of the former. A tradition that was fostered by the bards and made true by Henry Tudor whose standard was a red dragon. As Henry VII he incorporated the Welsh dragon in the Royal Arms, where it remained until James I displaced it in favour of the Scottish Unicorn. In 1901, however, the red dragon was officially recognized as the Royal Badge of Wales, and in 1959 the Queen commanded that the red dragon on its green and white field should be the Welsh flag.
4. Can you translate the National Anthem for me?
There are two English translations of the Welsh National Anthem:
Literal
The ancient land of my fathers is dear to me,
A land of poets and singers, famous men of renown.
Its brave warriors and patriots
For freedom lost their blood.
(My) country, (My) country, I love my country;
While the sea is a rampart to the pure, beloved country,
Oh! May the old language survive.
Translation by W.S. Gwynn Williams
The land of my fathers is dear unto me,
Old land where the minstrels are honoured and free;
Its warring defenders so gallant and brave,
For freedom their life's blood they gave.
Home, home, true am I to home,
While seas secure the land so pure,
O may the old language endure.
5. What is the longest place-name in Wales?
Its full name is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwll-llantysiliogogogoch which means The Church of St Mary in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio near a red cave, although it is usually shortened to Llanfairpwll or Llanfair PG.
6. What are the major cities in Wales?
Cardiff (Caerdydd) the capital, Swansea (Abertawe), Newport (Casnewydd), Bangor and St Davids (Tyddew)
7. What sport is played in Wales?
The most traditional sport is Rugby, but other sports also have a strong following, and highly successful Welsh competitors, in particular Golf and Athletics.
In recent years Wales has been increasingly popular destination for outdoor and adventure sports, such as Abseiling, Surfing and Paragliding.
Cardiff's Millennium Stadium which holds 72,500 people has been host to many international sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup final in 1999, whilst the Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales will host Golf’s 2010 Ryder Cup as well as the annual Wales Open.
8. When is Wales's national day?
March 1st is St David’s Day, celebrated as a patriotic and cultural festival by the Welsh in Wales and throughout the world. Saint David or Dewi Sant (c 520-588), the founder and first abbot-bishop of Menevia (now St David’s in Pembrokeshire), has been venerated since the early Middle Ages as the patron saint of Wales.
The closeness of the mountains to the coast means that very different climatic conditions can be encountered within short distances in Wales.
Temperatures in Cardiff average around 20° Celsius (68° F) in summer (August), but rarely drop below freezing even in the depths of winter(January).
The mean temperature is 10° Celsius.
The main air link is Cardiff International airport, but Wales is also well connected with the rest of the UK and Europe through its ports as well as its road and rail networks.
11. Is Wales a Country or a Principality?
In strict constitutional terms, Wales is not a Principality. By definition, a ‘Principality’ is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state whose ruling monarch is a prince or a princess with an executive role in administering the state. Following his conquest of Wales in 1282, Edward I created his eldest son Edward ‘Prince of Wales’ in 1301, since which time the eldest son of each English monarch has borne the title. However, the present Heir to the Throne, Prince Charles, represents a titular Principality over which he has no administrative authority. Although the Heir to the Throne bears the title ‘Prince of Wales’, he has no role in the governance of Wales.
Wales is, rather, a country. It has a long and unique history, as a study of the Brittonic peoples, the old Welsh Kingdoms and the heroic Middle Ages reveal. Wales' development into a modern country is marked by its own unique linguistic identity and cultural heritage. In the referendum held on 18 September 1997, the people of Wales voted in favour of devolution. This heralded a new dawn for Wales - the National Assembly for Wales, equipped with secondary legislative powers, was established by the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the new body had its inaugural meeting on 12 May 1999. Since then, devolution in Wales has proceeded apace with the Government of Wales Act 2006 providing, amongst other things, for legal separation between the Welsh Assembly Government as the devolved executive body and the National Assembly for Wales as the devolved legislature with powers to pass Welsh laws called Measures, which represents a significant deepening of the Assembly's legislative powers. These developments have undoubtedly strengthened the Welsh consciousness - a fact borne out by increasing support for devolution amongst people living in Wales. Indeed, the Welsh Assembly Government's strategic agenda for Wales between 2003-2007 was called 'Wales: A Better Country'. Similarly, the current Welsh Assembly Government's strategic agenda, 'One Wales', refers to Wales as a 'country' or a 'nation'.
12. Where can I find out about jobs in Wales?
There are many jobs located all over Wales so it is really dependent on what you are interested in and where. A good starting point is visiting the local council websites. You can find links to all the county councils in Wales at this website http://www.oultwood.com/localgov/countries/wales.php.