Portal:Wales

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edit   Welcome to the Wales Portal! Croeso i Borth Cymru! Shortcut: P:W Wales (Welsh: Cymru, pronounced [ˈkəmrɨ] ( listen)) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km2 (8,023 sq mi). Wales has over 1,200 km (750 mi) of coastline, including its offshore islands, the largest of which is Anglesey (Ynys Môn). Wales lies within the north temperate zone, and its changeable, maritime climate and generally mountainous landscape makes it one of the wettest countries in Europe. Its highest mountains are in the northern and central areas, with the highest summit being that of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), at 1,085 m (3,560 ft). Wales was an agricultural society for most of its early history, the country's terrain meaning that pastoral farming was the primary source of its wealth. In the 18th century, the introduction of the slate and metallurgical industries at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution began to transform the country into an industrial nation. The exploitation of the South Wales coalfield in the Victorian era caused a rapid expansion of the Welsh population. Two-thirds of Wales' inhabitants now live in South Wales, mainly in and around the capital city, Cardiff (Caerdydd), in the cities of Swansea (Abertawe) and Newport (Casnewydd), and in the nearby valleys. Today, with the country's traditional heavy industries either gone or in decline, Wales' economy depends on the public sector, light and service industries, and tourism. From the late 19th century onwards, Wales acquired its popular image as the "land of song", attributable in part to the revival of the eisteddfod tradition. Although football has traditionally been the more popular sport in North Wales, rugby union is seen as a symbol of Welsh identity and an expression of national consciousness. Wales is officially bilingual, with the Welsh and English languages having equal status. The Welsh language is an important element of Welsh culture, and is spoken by over 580,000 people, more than 20% of the population. Following annexation by England in the 16th century, English law has been the legal system of Wales and England; the National Assembly for Wales, created in 1999 following a referendum, holds responsibility for a range of devolved policy matters. More about Wales... Show new selections edit   Selected article The A4232, known as the Peripheral Distributor Road (Welsh: Ffordd Ddosbarthu Ymylol) or Cardiff Link Road (Ffordd Gyswllt Caerdydd), is a distributor road in Cardiff. The first section to be completed was the Southern Way Link Road in 1978 and the last section was the Butetown Link Road in 1995. The final section, the Eastern Bay Link Road, is yet to be built, with no date when construction may start. When fully completed, the road will form part of the Cardiff ring road system. The A4232 runs west, south and east of Cardiff, with the M4 motorway between junction 30 and junction 33 completing the northern section. The A4232 is dual carriageway for its entire length except for the East Moors Viaduct, which is a single carriageway. The A4232 has been constructed in separate link roads of between 1.61 km (1.00 mi) and 5.47 km (3.40 mi) around Cardiff and to date 22 km (14 mi) including spurs have been opened to traffic, with plans for a further 5.53 km (3.44 mi). It has four large viaducts (Ely Viaduct, Grangetown Viaduct, Taff Viaduct and the East Moors Viaduct), one tunnel (Queen's Gate Tunnel) and two spur roads (Cogan Spur and Central Link Road). The road also has many smaller bridges over or under most of the interchanges on the road. The entire length of the road has clearway restrictions on it. ...Archive/Nominations More... edit   Selected picture Credit: Lilo Lil Mumbles Lighthouse (built 1794) is a lighthouse located in Mumbles, near Swansea. ...Archive/Nominations More... edit   Did you know...? ... that Welsh artist Alfred Janes was part of The Kardomah Gang, which included poet Dylan Thomas? ... that British Army officer Captain Stephen Healey of the Royal Welsh regiment, used to play football for Swansea City? ... that St Gallgo's Church, Llanallgo, was used as a temporary mortuary following the 1859 ... that St Dona's Church, Llanddona, was rebuilt in 1873 with the rector at the time acting as the architect? More... edit   Selected biography Barry John (born 6 January 1945) is a former Welsh rugby union fly-half who played, during the amateur era of the sport, in the 1960s and early 1970s. John won 25 caps for the Wales national team and 5 for the British Lions. John began his rugby career as a schoolboy playing for his local team Cefneithin RFC before switching to Llanelli RFC in 1964, where he was first selected for the Wales national team. He joined Cardiff RFC in 1967 and his partnership with Gareth Edwards became one of the most famous in world rugby. From 1967, John and Edwards were chosen to play together at all levels, for Cardiff, Wales, the Barbarians and in 1968 for the British Lions tour of South Africa, where John suffered a broken collarbone in the first Test against South Africa. In 1971 Wales entered their second 'Golden Age', with a team rich in experience and talent. John was on the team that won the 1971 Five Nations Championship – the first time Wales had achieved a Grand Slam since 1952. He cemented his reputation as one of the sport's greatest players with his pivitol role in the British Lions winning tour over New Zealand in 1971. He retired from rugby at the age of 27, citing the pressure of fame and expectation behind his decision. He is considered by many to be the greatest fly-half in the sport's history, and was known as "The King". ...Archive/Nominations More... edit   In the news Wikinews Wales portal October 22: University of Wales to close down after 120 years July 7: Officers accused of framing men for murder in UK's 'biggest' trial of police July 1: Hundreds of thousands of British public sector workers strike over planned pension changes May 7: Liberal Democrats defeated in UK elections after alternative vote and councils rejected; Salmond wins historic first majority vote edit   Categories [−] Wales [+] Books about Wales [+] Buildings and structures in Wales [+] Welsh culture [+] Economy of Wales [+] Education in Wales [+] Environment of Wales [+] Geography of Wales [+] Government of Wales [+] Health in Wales [+] History of Wales [+] Landmarks in Wales [+] Welsh law [+] Wales-related lists [+] Welsh media [+] Organisations based in Wales [+] Welsh people [+] Politics of Wales [×] Postcode areas covering Wales [+] Regions of Wales [+] Religion in Wales [+] Science and technology in Wales [+] Welsh society [+] Sport in Wales [+] Subdivisions of Wales [+] Tourism in Wales [+] Transport in Wales [+] Images of Wales [+] Wales stubs edit   Selected quote For me real peace is lying on a river bank in summer with a sprig of grass in my mouth. I have friends who jet off to a luxury hotel. I think, 'How can you enjoy such ghastly luxury?' — Griff Rhys Jones, quoted by Michael Odell in The Guardian, 5 November 2006. Archive Read more... edit   Wales topics History Prehistory · Roman Era · Castles · Early Middle Ages · Kingdom of Gwynedd · Kingdom of Powys · Deheubarth · Welsh law · Norman invasion · Late Middle Ages · Statute of Rhuddlan · Glyndŵr Rising · Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542 Politics Elections · Assembly · First Minister · Secretary of State · Welsh Office · Self-government Geography Geology · Mountains and hills · Islands · Lakes · Rivers · Protected areas Demographics and language Welsh people · Welsh language · History of the Welsh language · Welsh English Culture Education · Music (National anthem) · Literature in Welsh · Literature in English · Eisteddfod · Art · Media · Museums Religion Saint David · Welsh Methodist revival · 1904–1905 Welsh Revival · Church in Wales Symbols National flag (other flags) · Welsh Dragon · Prince of Wales's feathers · Royal Badge of Wales Sport Rugby union (National team) · Football (National team) · Boxing · Cricket · Rugby league (National team) edit   Featured content Featured articles: King Arthur · Asser · William Cragh · John Dee · Rhys ap Gruffydd · Tom Pryce · Sasha (DJ) · Slate industry in Wales · Talyllyn Railway · Wales national rugby union team · Alfred Russel Wallace Featured lists: List of alumni of Jesus College, Oxford: Clergy · List of alumni of Jesus College, Oxford: Law and government · List of alumni of Jesus College, Oxford: Mathematics, medicine and science · List of alumni of Jesus College, Oxford · Friends of Friendless Churches · List of Honorary Fellows of Jesus College, Oxford · List of founding Fellows, Scholars and Commissioners of Jesus College, Oxford · List of county courts in England and Wales · List of former county courts in Wales · List of Principals and Fellows of Jesus College, Oxford Featured sounds: 1899 recording of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau Good articles: A4232 road · Aberdaron · Anglesey Central Railway · Rakie Ayola · Norman Biggs · Bullet for My Valentine · Caernarfon Castle · Caernarfon town walls · Caffo · Capel Lligwy · Cardiff Arms Park · Conwy town walls · Andrew Crofts (footballer) · (Drawing) Rings Around the World · Ebbw Valley Railway · Timothy Everest · Flat Holm · Golden Retriever (song) · Arthur Gould (rugby player) · Hello Sunshine · The Holy Bible (album) · It's Not the End of the World? · Herbert Armitage James · Barry John · Gethin Jones · Juxtapozed with U · Kidwelly and Llanelly Canal · Llanishen Reservoir · John McFall (athlete) · Milford Haven · Millennium Stadium · Neath and Tennant Canal · Old Bridge, Pontypridd · Old Church of St Gwenllwyfo, Llanwenllwyfo · Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride, Amlwch · Parc Cwm long cairn · Penmon · Phantom Phorce · Phantom Power (Super Furry Animals album) · Pont-y-Cafnau · Guto Puw · Raglan Castle · Rhondda · Rings Around the World · Senedd · Sibyl de Neufmarché · Slow Life · St Caian's Church, Tregaian · St Beuno's Church, Trefdraeth · St Ceidio's Church, Rhodogeidio · St Cristiolus's Church, Llangristiolus · St Cwyllog's Church, Llangwyllog · St Deiniol's Church, Llanddaniel Fab · St Eleth's Church, Amlwch · St Fflewin's Church, Llanfflewin · St Gallgo's Church, Llanallgo · St Gwenllwyfo's Church, Llanwenllwyfo‎ · St Iestyn's Church, Llaniestyn · St Llibio's Church, Llanllibio · St Mary's Church, Bodewryd · St Mary's Church, Llanfair Mathafarn Eithaf · St Mary's Church, Pentraeth · St Mary's Church, Rhodogeidio · St Mary's Church, Tal-y-llyn · St Pabo's Church, Llanbabo · St Peirio's Church, Rhosbeirio · St Peulan's Church, Llanbeulan · St Twrog's Church, Bodwrog · St Tyfrydog's Church, Llandyfrydog · The Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies · Wales · Wales Millennium Centre · David Watts Morgan · Welsh Springer Spaniel · Y Gododdin edit   Things you can do Expand Carmarthen Bay • Clwydian Range • Glyn Daniel • List of places in Anglesey • List of places in Ceredigion • List of places in Gwynedd • List of places in Monmouthshire • List of places in Pembrokeshire • List of places in Powys • Pembroke River • River Cothi • River Dwyryd • River Ebbw • River Honddu • River Ithon • River Llynfi • River Mawddach • River Mynach • River Neath • River Ogwen • River Rheidol • River Taff • River Vyrnwy • River Ystwyth Create Aberfan Cemetery • Afon Wnion • Cardiff Museum • East Glamorgan General Hospital • History of nonconformity in Wales • Military of Wales • River Daugleddau • River Gyffin • River Irfon • Welsh Folk Music Revival Requested images Welsh places • Welsh people Participate Join a WikiProject edit   Related portals United Kingdom England Scotland Northern Ireland Cornwall Isle of Man edit   Related projects Cardiff • Cheshire • Cities • England • Greater Manchester • London • Scotland • UK • UK geography • UK subdivisions • Wales Welsh Wikipedians' notice board edit   Associated Wikimedia Wales on Wikibooks  Wales on Wikimedia Commons Wales on Wikinews  Wales on Wikiquote  Wales on Wikisource  Wales on Wikiversity  Wales on Wiktionary  Manuals and books Images and media News Quotations Texts Learning resources Definitions What are portals? · List of portals · Featured portals Purge server cache