Wales is the part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Wales is situated near the Irish Sea in the south-west part of Great Britain. Wales is a mountainous region, most of the area is covered with Cambrian Mountains. The highest peak of Wales is Snowdon (1085m). Climate is mild with cool summers and soft winters.

Llanddwyn Island old lighthouse Snowdon, highest mountain

in Wales

The first people in the area of Wales were the Celts. The Romans occupied Wales from I to V century B.C. Before that in the area of Wales arised few countries. In VIII century B.C. Welsh tribes defended themselves against the Anglo-Saxons invasion. In 1066 Wales was under occupation of William the Conqueror’s army.

In 1218 prince Gwynedd united Wales and became the prince of Wales. In 1282 England annexed Wales. In 1301 king Edward I gave his son, Edward II, the title of prince of Wales. In 1400 Welsh prince Owain Glyndwr organised a rebellion against England. In 1410 that rebellion was put down.

In 1485 Henry VII became the king of England. He was a Welshman and the first lord from Tudors clan. His son Henry VIII united England and Wales in 1536.

First unofficial flags with Red Dragon appeared in XIX century. In 1953 the Welsh flag was officially established. It was similar to the current flag but the dragon was much smaller and it was located on a shield under a crown. The current version of the flag was established in 1959 by Elizabeth II.

Norman Davies - European historian Dylan Thomas - novelist Bonnie Tyler - singer Tom Jones - singer Catherine Zeta-Jones - actress Shakin' Stevens - singer Ryan Giggs- footballer Terry Jones – member of cabaret Monty Python Anthony Hopkins - actor Richard Burton (1925-1984) - actor John Rhys-Davies - actor Christian Bale - actor Phil Mils – rally driver Ian Rush - footballer Duffy - musician John Cale – musican, founder of The Velvet

Underground

The leek is also a national emblem of Wales. According to the legend, Saint David ordered his Welsh soldiers to identify themselves by wearing the vegetable on their helmets in an ancient battle against the Saxons that took place in a leek field. It is still worn on St David's Day every March 1

The daffodil is the national flower of Wales, and is worn on St David's Day every March 1.

In Welsh, the daffodil is known as "Peter's Leek”

The Sessile Oak is the national tree of Wales

Authors: Ernest Kozłowski Bartek Śmietanka

Source of informations: Wikipedia, Ling

23.5.08.