Wales

Wales is a small country on the island of Great Britain. It is part of the United Kingdom. Wales has green hills, sandy beaches, and lots of sheep. The country has its own language called Welsh. Its flag shows a red dragon, which is a famous symbol of Wales.

Land and Castles

Wales has many mountains in a region called Snowdonia. Mount Snowdon is the tallest peak. The country has over 600 castles, more than almost anywhere else in the world. Coal was once mined from the ground here. Today, people love to hike, surf, and explore the old castles.

Watercolor portrait painting from a Welsh library.
Watercolor portrait painting from a Welsh library. (Thomas Prytherch / Wikimedia Commons)

Language and Culture

Cardiff is the capital of Wales. Many people speak both Welsh and English. The Welsh language is very old and has many long words. Wales is known for singing, poetry, and rugby. A yearly festival called an Eisteddfod celebrates music and the Welsh language.

Fun Facts

  • Wales has about three sheep for every person.
  • A town in Wales has one of the longest names in the world with 58 letters.
  • The red dragon has been a symbol of Wales for over 1,200 years.

Did You Know?

Wales has the most castles per square mile of any country in Europe.