Cambria is a name for Wales, being the Latinised form of the Welsh name for the country, Cymru. The term was not in use during the Roman (when Wales had not come into existence as a distinct entity) or the early medieval period.
Wales is known for its rich culture, lovely countryside, stunning coastal areas, and amazing adventures. It is also known for its heritage sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blaenavon Industrial Landscape and Castles such as Conwy Castle and Caernarfon Castle.
Wales has been inhabited by modern humans for at least 29,000 years Continuous human habitation dates from the end of the last ice age, between 12,000 and 10,000 years before present (BP), when Mesolithic hunter-gatherers from Central Europe began to migrate to Great Britain.
Cawl. Dating back to the 14th century, cawl, also known as 'lobscows' in areas of North Wales, is a hearty stew of lamb and seasonal vegetables that is considered to be the national dish of Wales. Usually accompanied by slabs of fresh bread, it's the perfect meal to warm up during a frosty Welsh winter.
The English name, Wales, derives from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning 'foreigners', or in particular those foreigners who were under the influence of the Roman empire.
Football developed in the late 19th century, and currently claims the most participation of any sport in Wales. The most successful teams are Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County, Wrexham and The New Saints.
Wales is often called 'the land of castles' – there are 427 of them! If you visit Wales you're almost certain to see one.
The prime natural resources of Wales have shaped our culinary tradition. Welsh lamb is justifiably world famous, farmed on the lush mountains and valleys. Our cattle farming produces Welsh beef, most notably from the Welsh black cattle. Both Welsh lamb and beef have Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.
In its ancient form, it was originally spoken throughout Great Britain before the arrival of English-speaking invaders in the sixth century. Apart from Latin and Greek, the Welsh language has the oldest literature in Europe.
The Norman conquerors of England brought all of southern Wales under their rule in 1093. English King Edward I conquered northern Wales and made it a principality in 1284. Since 1301 the heir to the English throne has carried the title Prince of Wales. Wales was incorporated with England in the reign of Henry VIII.
The oldest country in Europe, San Marino, became its own country when it gained its independence from the Roman Empire on September 3, 301 CE. It is one of the smallest and oldest countries in the world.
Rugby is a big part of our national identity, but so too are football, cycling, athletics – and adventure…
Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon. This is one of Wales' most famous proverbs and means 'a nation without a language is a nation without a heart'. It is pronounced phonetically as 'ken-edl heb yayth, kenedl heb gal-on'.
With rolling hills, dramatic mountains, hundreds of castles, cascading waterfalls, rare flora and fauna and a coast path that runs along the entire coastline of the country, in Wales - beauty is everywhere. Our cities are compact and our towns bustling with community life.
The Romans, who began their conquest of Britain in AD 43, first campaigned in what is now northeast Wales in 48 against the Deceangli, and gained total control of the region with their defeat of the Ordovices in 79. The Romans departed from Britain in the 5th century, opening the door for the Anglo-Saxon settlement.
Well, exactly 58 letters, if the name happens to be Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the longest place name in the United Kingdom and one of the longest village names in the world.