Wales <div style="float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em"> <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid #9866FF; background-color: #f3f3ff" width="200"> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #C9AFFF; background-color: #ddddff">Flag</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding: 2px">Image:Wales_flag_large.png|thumb|National flag of Wales</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #C9AFFF; border-top: 1px solid #C9AFFF; background-color: #ddddff">Quick Facts</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Capital'''</td><td>Cardiff</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Government'''</td><td>Constitutional monarchy</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Currency'''</td><td>Pound Sterling (£)</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Time zone'''</td><td>WET (UTC; UTC+1 in summer)</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Area'''</td><td>''total:''20,779 km²<br>''water:'' 1.9%</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Population'''</td><td>2,903,085 (2001)</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Language'''</td><td>English, Welsh</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Religion'''</td><td></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Country Calling Code'''</td><td>+44</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Internet TLD'''</td><td>.uk</td></tr> </table> </div>  '''Wales''' (''Welsh'', '''Cymru''') is one of the countries that make up the United Kingdom. Rich in history and natural beauty, Wales 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. ==Regions== Due to the central mountain range, Wales is culturally and economically divided into three regions: *Mid Wales - a mountainous region with a coastal area facing the Irish sea. *North Wales - several holiday destinations along the coast, but primarily a rural area. *South Wales - Wales' main centers of population are established along the South Wales coast. ==Cities== Below is a list of Wales' largest urban areas. Other cities and towns are listed under their specific regional sections. *Cardiff - the capital of Wales and largest urban area. *Newport (Wales)|Newport - the third largest city in Wales. *Swansea - Wales' city by the sea and second largest urban area. ==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 21% of the population (thought this varies geographically, from under 7% in Gwent to over 61% in Gwynedd). Additionally, according to Census 2001, some 39% of all 10-15 year olds can speak, read and write Welsh. Although there are several Welsh-language television and radio channels, English is still the main language spoken in Wales - very few people can only speak Welsh. ==Sleep== Wales is very tourist-friendly, so finding hotel accommodation or a place to pitch a tent should not be a problem. However, you might need to make prior reservations during the summer season in tourist areas such as Llandudno, Llangollen, Rhyl, Swansea/Mumbles and Tenby. ==Eat== Wales is not famous for its cuisine, but there are a few speciality dishes that you might like to try: *'''Welsh Rarebit''' - a melted cheese dish, often spiced with ale and herbs and served on toasted bread. *'''Laver bread''' (pronounced "lar-ver") is not, as the name implies, bread, but a specially-prepared purée made from sea-weed. It is generally rolled into small cakes mixed with oatmeal and served at breakfast alongside bacon rashers. This dish is only available in Swansea and places west and can be purchased raw at Swansea market. ==Get in== ===Immigrationa and visa requirements=== Wales has the same immigrationa and visa requirements as the rest of the UK. * Citizens of the European Union do not require a visa, and have permanenet residency and working rights in the UK. Citizens of the Republic of Ireland have additional rights allowing them to vote in elections. * Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Siwtzerland also have permanent residency rights, but may require a work permit in some circumstances. * Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States do not require a visa for visits under 6 months. * Most other countries will require a visa, which can be obtained from the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. * The UK also operates a '''Working Holidaymaker Scheme''' for citizens of the Commonwealth of Nations, and British dependent territories. This allows residnency in the UK for up to 2 years, with limited working rights. For more information of UK Immigration and visa requirements, see the [http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk UK's Home Office website] ===By Air=== The main airport is '''Cardiff International Airport''', located nine miles south of the city. This is the only main airport in Wales, and is served by the following airlines. * [http://www.airwales.co.uk Air Wales] operates services to Aberdeen, Dublin, Liverpool, Newcastle, Norwich, and Plymouth * [http://www.bmibaby.co.uk bmibaby] operates domestic services to Edinburgh, Glasgow (Prestwick Airport), Jersey and international services to Alicante, Cork, Faro, Malaga, Mallorca, Paris and Prague. * [http://www.klm.co.uk KLM] operates a daily service to Amsterdam *[http://www.ryanair.co.uk Ryanair] operates a daily service to Dublin * [http://www.flyzoom.com Zoom] operates a seasonal summer service to Toronto. There are regular bus services from the centre to the airport. Alternatively, you can also get to the airport using a bus service from Barry Station, which is closer to the airport and on local rail lines. ===By Car=== South Wales enjoys good motorway connections with the rest of the UK *The M4 links London with Bristol, and via the Severn (toll) Bridge, Newport (Wales)|Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, and Carmarthen *The M50 links the Midlands with South Wales North Wales has no motorway connections. However there are still good road connections with the rest of the UK *The A5, followed by the M54 after Shrewsbury, to London and the Midlands takes you through the spectacular Snowdonia National Park *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. ===By Rail=== *South Wales - Main line rail services connect south Wales (especially Cardiff) with all parts of the UK, via [http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/ Virgin Trains] (to Birmingham and the North East, including Scotland), [http://www.centraltrains.co.uk Central Trains] (to the Midlands), [http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ Arriva Trains Wales] and [http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk First Great Western] (to London Paddington). *North Wales - Connections to Birmingham New Street and Manchester are provided by [http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ Arriva Trains Wales]. See [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk National Rail]'s website for train timetables, or [http://www.thetrainline.co.uk The TrainLine]'s website for tickets. ===By Bus=== [http://www.nationalexpress.co.uk National Express] operates coach services around the UK including to and from many parts of Wales. ===By Boat=== A regular ferry service operates between Holyhead, the main port in Anglesey off the coast of North Wales and Dublin. The service is operated by [http://www.stenaline.co.uk Stenaline] and bookings can be made through their website. [http://ferrybooker.com/swansea_cork/swansea_cork_ferries.asp/ Swansea-Cork Ferries] operate six sailings a week between Swansea and Cork in Ireland, with a reduced schedule in autumn and winter. Inquires:456116. ==Get Around== *[http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ Arriva Trains Wales] operates most local rail services in Wales. *[http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/ Arriva] operates a large amount of bus services in North Wales. *[http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/wales/swwales/home/index.php First Cymru] operates services in South West Wales *[http://www.stagecoachbus.com/southwales/ Stagecoach] operates services in South Wales ==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== *[http://www.visitwales.com/ Official Wales Tourist Board] *[http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/ Welsh Historic Monuments] *[http://www.castlewales.com/home.html Castles of Wales] - non-profit web guide of Wales' 641 (!) castles {{msg:stub}} First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

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