Facts about Wales you probably never knew before (2024)

Facts about Wales you probably never knew before (1)

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Wales; famous for its rugged coastline, mountainous National Parks and not forgetting the Celtic Welsh language. It’s a pretty cool country to live in or to visit. Firstly, not only does it have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Welsh people are known as one of the friendliest.

But there’s one thing you need to know before you pay the country a visit, it does rain a lot in Wales! So, be sure to pack your umbrella and wellies. But don’t let the rain dampen your spirits, whether it’s wet and miserable or a blazing hot sunny day, there are some wonderful things to see and do.

From North Wales to South Wales and everything in between, take a trip back in time at one of Wales’ hundreds of historic castles and sites. Go for a hike in the Brecon Beacons and take in some beautiful views of the rolling hills and stunning valleys, which wouldn’t be complete without some wildlife and livestock along the way.

Sport more your thing? Head to the capital of Wales, Cardiff, for an international rugby day to soak up the electric atmosphere and watch the home nation in action at The Principality Stadium. And when you’re done there, it’s time to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the city. Hit up one of Cardiff’s many bars, restaurants or clubs – you won’t be short of choice.

Studying in Wales

And as for education, the education in Wales is excellent – along with the variation of culture and long history. The first university of Britain was set up on the coast of the Vale of Glamorgan in South Wales.

The education in Wales has a very good success rate with students from all over the world coming to study in the many universities, including those in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Pontypridd, Carmarthen, Lampeter, Aberystwyth, Wrexham and Bangor. Furthermore, you’ll find an endless list of courses to choose from, ranging from Fashion or Film to Business Management or Engineering. And you’ll be pleased to hear that 95% of students that study in Wales find a job within six months of graduating.

With so much choice and opportunity, Wales really is a great place to be; and we can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. But if that wasn’t enough about Wales, here are some fun and interesting facts about Wales…

Did you know….?

  • There are 4 times the amount of sheep than there are people in wales.
  • Marconi (who invented the radio) did his first radio testing in Wales in 1897 on 11th
  • Wales has the most castles in one country than any other in the world.
  • K, Q, V and Z are letters not seen in the Welsh language.
  • Cardiff City Football team are the only non-English club to win the FA Cup (in 1927).
  • Cardiff holds the oldest record shop in the world, opening in 1894. It’s called Spillers.
  • From sports stars to popstars, many successful and famous people come from Wales. This includes Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Christian Bale, Gareth Bale, Roald Dahl, Catherine Zeta Jones, Ryan Giggs and many more.
  • Only 10% of people in Cardiff speak Welsh.
  • Roald Dahl was christened in the Norwegian church in Cardiff Bay. He lived in a Tudor house opposite the Llandaff Cathedral School and read his stories to the children there.
  • The world’s first 1 million pound cheque was written in the Cardiff Coal Exchange.
  • Sophia Gardens was Cardiff’s first park, opened by the Bute family in 1858.

So, there you have it. Do you like the sound of Wales? If you’re studying in Cardiff this September, or perhaps you’re planning a visit to the Capital City during the summer months, why not stay with us at our accommodation at Shand House? If you would like to find out more, please contact the management team today.

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Facts about Wales you probably never knew before (2024)

FAQs

Facts about Wales you probably never knew before? ›

For some, speaking Welsh is an important part of their Welsh identity. Parts of the culture are strongly connected to the language — notably the Eisteddfod tradition, poetry and aspects of folk music and dance. Wales also has a strong tradition of poetry in the English language.

What do I need to know about Wales? ›

Key facts and figures
  • Population: 3.1m.
  • Location: Part of Great Britain.
  • Size: 20,800 square km.
  • Time zone: GMT.
  • Currency: Pound Sterling. National Day: St David's Day, 1 March. National symbols: Dragon, daffodil and leek. Language: Welsh and English.

What are Welsh people known for? ›

For some, speaking Welsh is an important part of their Welsh identity. Parts of the culture are strongly connected to the language — notably the Eisteddfod tradition, poetry and aspects of folk music and dance. Wales also has a strong tradition of poetry in the English language.

How old is Wales in years? ›

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.

What are 3 interesting facts about Wales? ›

The currency of Wales is Pounds Sterling. Wales is a bilingual country, people speak both Welsh and English there. The national anthem of Wales is called Land of My Fathers, or Mae Hen Wlad fy Nhadau. Wales is located in the West of Mainland Britain and lies next to England.

Why is Wales so special? ›

Wales is known as the land of song, but it's also a land of theatre, literature, film and every other kind of artistic endeavour. We love live performances and festivals in Wales, and there's a year-round calendar of cultural events and festivals. Sport in Wales is our other national passion.

What drink is Wales famous for? ›

Wales is well known for our beer. From one of the UK's biggest family owned independent breweries, Brains, to local breweries - like Tiny Rebel Brewing Company for Cardiff and Newport. If it's not beer, it's cider.

What food is Wales famous for? ›

Dishes such as cawl, Welsh rarebit, laverbread, Welsh cakes, bara brith (literally "speckled bread") or the Glamorgan sausage have all been regarded as symbols of Welsh food. Cawl, pronounced in a similar way to the English word "cowl", can be regarded as Wales' national dish.

What is Wales national animal? ›

The Dragon: Everything You Need to Know About the Welsh National Animal. The red dragon, or “Y Ddraig Goch” in the native tongue, is a symbol of all things Welsh. Sitting front and centre on the national flag, it has proudly posed as the national animal for thousands of years.

What is Wales old name? ›

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.

What age is Year 7 in Wales? ›

In schools in England and Wales, Year 7 is the seventh full year of compulsory education after Reception, with children being admitted who are aged 11 before 1 September in any given academic year.

Why is Wales called Wales? ›

Finally, we come to the names of the country itself. 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. The Welsh name for Wales is Cymru, which comes from the plural of Cymro, 'a Welshman'.

What are 5 interesting facts about Wales? ›

Facts and information about Wales
  • Population: 3.1 million people. ...
  • Location: Wales is on the island of Great Britain, to the west of England.
  • Size: Around 8,023 square miles (20,779 km2) in area.
  • Time Zone: GMT.
  • Currency: Pound Sterling.
  • National Day: St David's Day, 1 March.

What is Wales for kids? ›

Wales is part of the United Kingdom, a country of western Europe. The other three parts of the United Kingdom are England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The people and the special language of Wales are called Welsh. In the Welsh language, Wales is known as Cymru.

What is Wales known for kids? ›

The country of Wales is said to contain more castles per square mile than any other country in the world. Wales is often termed "the land of song" the country is known for its harpists, male choirs, and solo artists. Welsh drivers use the left-hand side of the road.

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