Wales

Population

According to the mid-2006 estimates, Wales’ population stands at around 3 million.

Geography

Situated about 2 hours west of London by rail or by road, Wales has a small (20,800 square kilometers) mountainous landscape particularly in northern and central regions. The population is centred in the cities of Cardiff, Swansea and Newport in the south.

Economy

Agriculture and forestry, manufacturing and public administration generate the majority of employment in Wales. Around 80% of the land is used for agricultural purposes, mainly livestock farming. Electronics and IT, engineering, telecommunications, media, leisure and tourism are other key sectors of the Welsh economy.

Dining Out

Food is a very important part of Welsh life. From extravagant restaurants boasting Michelin-starred perfection to intimate seaside cafes and friendly pubs offering local produce and freshly created delights, Wales has a wealth of different tastes (seafood, Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef, more than 50 farmhouse cheeses) just waiting to be savoured.

Transport

Wales has a well-established road and railway network, linking the cities and other settlements, and the country to the rest of the UK. Cardiff International Airport, located some 19 km south-west of Cardiff city centre, connects the country to Europe and the world. There are also regular ferry services operating from Holyhead and Fishguard to Ireland.

Arts & Culture

Wales has a rich culture. It has its own language, which is one of the oldest in Europe, spoken fluently by about 20% of the population. The daffodil and the leek are national symbols of Wales. All branches of the arts are well represented in Wales in both the Welsh language and English. There are galleries, theatres, museums, concert halls and libraries throughout Wales hosting and supporting many cultural activities. Some 400 castles, dating back to the 12^th century, the Welsh National Opera and the National Botanic Garden of Wales reflect the richness of the Welsh culture.

Lifestyle & Outdoor Recreation

Quad biking, paintballing, gorge scrambling, surfing, rock climbing, canoeing, ocean kayaking and mountain climbing are some of the outdoor options Wales’ stunning landscape offers.

On the Net

http://www.wales.gov.uk

http://www.visitwales.co.uk

http://www.walesworldnation.com

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales

Weather

Over Wales the mean annual temperature at low altitudes varies from about 9.5 °C to 10.5 °C, with the higher values occurring around or near to the coasts. Around the coasts February is thus normally the coldest month, but inland there is little to choose between January and February as the coldest month. July is normally the warmest month in Wales, and the highest temperatures of all have occurred furthest away from the cooling influence of the Atlantic. The highest temperature ever recorded in Wales is 35.2 °C at Hawarden Bridge in Clwyd, on 2 August 1990.

Below are the average temperature and rainfall figures for Cardiff:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Avg. Max.

7°C

7°C

9°C

12°C

15°C

18°C

20°C

19°C

17°C

14°C

10°C

8°C

Avg. Min.

2°C

1°C

2°C

4°C

7°C

10°C

12°C

12°C

10°C

8°C

4°C

3°C

Mean

4°C

4°C

6°C

8°C

11°C

14°C

16°C

16°C

14°C

11°C

7°C

6°C

Avg. Precip.

91 mm

66 mm

76 mm

56 mm

64 mm

66 mm

74 mm

81 mm

91 mm

97 mm

99 mm

99 mm