Wales

From Imakoopedia

Wales (Cymru) is one of the countries that makes up the United Kingdom. It is rich in history and has a culture distinct from the rest of the UK. Travellers are attracted to Wales because of its beautiful landscape, the wide open spaces of its stunning national parks and the wealth of history and culture.

Table of contents

1 Cities 2 Other destinations 2.1 National parks 2.2 Castles 3 Understand 4 Talk 5 Sleep 6 Get out 7 Contact 8 External links

Cities

There are many cities and towns in Wales; these are some of the more popular for travel.

• Aberdaron
• Aberystwyth
• Bangor
• Caernarfon
• Cardiff
• Cardigan
• Carmarthen
• Chepstow -- Medieval, walled town and Castle. Gateway to the Lower Wye Valley.
• Conwy -- Medieval, fortified town. Quaint shops. Impressive castle
• Holyhead -- High-speed ferry to Dublin
• Harlech
• Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch -- Town with the second-longest name in the world
• Llandudno
• Llangollen -- Small town in Dee valley. Excellent hike to Castle ruins (ask around), Valle Crucis Abbey. Canal tours and home to an annual music festival
• Llanidloes
• Machynlleth
• Monmouth -- The birth place of King Henry V (of Battle of Agincourt fame).
• Newport
• Portmeirion
• Pwllheli
• Rhyl
• Swansea -- Wales' city by the sea
• Talacre -- Seaside resort
• Tenby -- Medieval walled town and seaside resort
• Tintern -- Ruins of famous Cistercian Abbey

Other destinations

National parks

• Snowdonia Mountains
• Pembrokeshire National Park
• Brecon Beacons

Castles

• Beaumaris -- Master James of St. George's uncompleted master-work
• Caerphilly -- has a leaning South East Tower (http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/castles/caerphilly%20castle.htm)
• Caernarfon -- Planned seat of Edward I's power in Wales
• Conwy
• Chepstow
• Flint -- Edward I's first castle in Wales
• Manorbier
• Oystermouth [1] (http://castlewales.com/oyster.html) -- located on a hill in Mumbles, Swansea.
• Pembroke
• Picton
• Rhuddlan
• Swansea [2] (http://castlewales.com/swansea.html) -- The ruins of Swansea Castle are located in the city center.

Understand

In the twentieth century Wales was dominated by the traditional industries of coal and steel. However, recent years have seen a decline in heavy industry and a large growth in the tourist industry.

Talk

Wales has its own language, Welsh (Welsh: Cymraeg), which is spoken by some 20% of the population (thought this varies geographically, from under 3% in Gwent to over 65% in Gwynedd). However English is the main language spoken in Wales - very few people can only speak Welsh.

Sleep

Get out

The island of Anglesey is along the A55 road along the North Wales coast. If you are approaching from the south try the A5 that takes you through the mountains of North Wales.

• The M4 is the life line of South Wales. Heading West from London, one enters Wales after crossing the Severn Bridge near Bristol. It links the three major Welsh cities of Newport, Cardiff and Swansea and ends near the market town of Carmarthen.

Contact

See Contact entry under United Kingdom for national information on telephone, internet and postal services.

See Contact entries under individual cities for local information.

External links

• Official Wales Tourist Board (http://www.visitwales.com/)
• Welsh Historic Monuments (http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/)
• Guide to South Wales (http://www.south-wales.org.uk/)
• South Wales Information (http://www.south-wales.info/)
• Welsh accommodation finder (http://www.stayinwales.co.uk/)