Where Is Wales ?
Wales is a constituent part of the United Kingdom. The other countries in the United Kingdom are: England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wales is a little smaller than the state of New Jersey.
The Government
In 1998, Parliament established the National Assembly of Wales. Though still subordinate to Parliament, the Welsh Assembly Government is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Wales, including the economy, health, education, and local government.
There are 2 official languages in Wales: Welsh (Cymraeg) and English. The native language of Wales is Welsh. It is a part of their national identity. As of 2001, approximately 1/4 of the population speaks it. All road signs are in both languages. Since 1998, there has been renewed emphasis on teaching Welsh to children and adults. Use of it is very regional, with some areas reaching up to 69% of the population speaking Welsh. (click here for a Bible verse comparison). Is roots are Celtic rather than Germanic for English.
There are just under 3 million people living in Wales. They are very proud of their country and their heritage. According to a recent census, about 3/4 of the people consider their national identity as wholly Welsh. While they are British, they are not "English" - they are Welsh.
