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Wales
Let’s talk about
Wales. One can think that there are no big cities, no picturesque scenery, no
interesting facts on the history of the country. Though visitors don’t need
passports to cross the border from England into Wales, they soon realize that
they are entering a country with its own geography, culture, traditions and
language. The Welsh speak English, but the Welsh language is spoken widely,
especially in the north of the country and it is still the first language for
many people. By the way English is taught side by side with Welsh in schools.
Welsh is very different from English. Welsh is one of the Celtic languages,
like Scottish and Irish Gaelic. Even if your English is fluent you won’t be
able to understand Welsh. Wales is mainly agricultural, there are few cities
there, rather small and unimportant. Cardiff is its capital and the main port.
Cardiff is an industrial city, which also has a castle, a cathedral, a
university. There are other big towns in Wales too , Swansea and Newport are
among them. The west coast, mid Wales and North Wales are wild and beautiful.
Wales has high mountains, including Snowdon, the second highest mountains in
Britain. It is also a land of mountains and valleys, streams and waterfalls. In
North Wales you can follow mountain paths for miles and miles. The highest
Mount is Snowdon. In summer, when the sun is shining, Snowdon looks very
peaceful and beautiful. A little train runs to the top and the walk is not at
all hard. But in winter the mountains can become very dangerous. Every year
climbers get lost in bad weather or fall and injure themselves. When this happens,
the Mountain Rescue Service has to go out to look for the climbers.
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