Flag of Wales.   "The Red Dragon", (Welsh: Y Ddraig Goch).  This flag was only officially adopted in 1958.  Versions of it have been in use for centuries in Wales. Largely it symbolizes the resistance and freedom of the Welsh people dating back as far as the Welsh Prince Cadwaladr in the 12th century who fought the attacks of England's Henry II despite having been blinded.  Although Wales officially united with England (now called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) in 1536, Wales still retains its own ancient national flag. 

Today the dragon is the most prominent Welsh symbol. It is an ancient symbol, already prominent across England and Wales in the years after the departure of the Romans. With the invasions of the Angles and Saxons, the ancient Britons and their dragon symbol was pushed back towards Wales.  The dragon has always been a symbol of a people, not an individual.

Aside from the Red Dragon, Wales also has use of another flag, the flag of Saint David. Although unofficially a national flag, it is flown across the country every year to mark Saint David's Day and in 2002 was incorporated into Cardiff City Football Club's logo.

Wales is a mountainous country on the Western shores of Britain. Its scenery is distinctive, offering everything from the rugged peaks of Snowdonia in the northeast to the rolling pastures of the central uplands, the southern valleys and the coastal plains. Its 732-mile coastline is very varied with bays, beaches, peninsulars and cliffs. 

Beneath the surface of Wales lie the rocks that gave this fascinating country both its shape and its industrial might. Indeed there are few comparable areas in the world that have such a rich geological heritage. For 700 million years rocks have been laid down, bent and twisted, eroded, and injected with volcanic lava and mineral-saturated waters. Soft rocks have been hardened to slate and tropical swamps turned into coal. 

If you want to see the real Britain, you’re going to need to spend some time in Wales. 

Cardiff is the Welsh capital city and is just 2 hours west of London. There are many events throughout the year - everything from open-air concerts, street theatre and carnivals to major sporting events.  After spending time exploring the city you’ll definitely need some refreshment. With over 350 pubs, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Don’t forget to sample the local brew Brains SA – and you won’t want to miss the Cardiff club scene.

Away from Cardiff, Wales boasts the highest concentration of castles in Europe. Famed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the mighty 13th century Conwy, Caernarfon and Beaumaris Castles have been astounding their visitors (both friend and foe) for centuries.

Over a quarter of Wales falls within its three National Parks; Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and the Pembrokeshire Coast.  All three boasts amazing scenery and plenty of adventure and beauty, including many mountains, hills, valleys and rivers.  Pembrokeshire is Britain’s only Coastal National Park, and it’s home to the home-grown extreme sport – Coasteering. Combining the challenge of rock climbing with the rush of white water kayaking, it’s a pretty special experience.

Further north, Snowdonia National Park is the most mountainous area of Wales. It comes recommended by Sir Edmund Hillary and his Everest-conquering team – they did their training here.

The Brecon Beacons National Park is just an hour’s drive from Cardiff. Expect wild waterfalls, windswept mountains, mysterious valleys and busy market towns. Keep heading north and you’ll get to Llanwrtyd Wells – proud host of the International Bog Snorkelling Championships! 

 In her Oscar acceptance speech, Catherine Zeta Jones personally paid tribute to the people of her hometown of Swansea.  Her ties to her home and sense of belonging to her community have never weakened. 

The most famous Welsh poet is Dylan Thomas. Laura Ashley was a Welsh designer who established a chain of shops. Lloyds Bank (now Lloyds TSB) was originally a Welsh bank.

The national emblem of Wales is the leek (you can see this on the back of some one pound coins).  It is worn every year on Saint David's Day. According to legend, St. David (the patron saint of Wales) ordered his troops to identify themselves by wearing the plant on their helmets during a battle against the Saxons.

The Welsh name for their own country is Cymru, which means "fellow countrymen". The name Wales originally meant "stranger" or "foreigner" (the "wall" at the end of the place name "Cornwall" in south-west England has the same meaning): the name was given to the country by the Anglo-Saxons because the people living there (Celts) spoke a different language and had a different way of life from them. 

Wales was formally united with England by Henry the Eighth in 1536. The National Assembly for Wales (often called the Welsh Assembly) was opened in 1999, giving some decision-making powers to an assembly of politicians who are elected locally. Many decisions affecting Welsh people are still made in the Houses of Parliament in London, which includes politicians from all parts of the United Kingdom. For more information about the history of government in Wales, see the Education Information part of the Public Information section of: http://www.wales.gov.uk.

English is the main language spoken in most parts of Wales, but the Welsh language is taught in many of the schools and is spoken by about 20% of the population. Signs and information are usually written in both English and Welsh.

The Welsh economy was once dominated by the coal mining and steel industries. The production of slate (used mainly for roof tiles) was a major industry in the mountains of Snowdonia. These traditional industries have declined; new jobs are being created in industries such as electronics and tourism. Because of the hilly landscapes, much of the land is used for sheep farming, and cattle are reared in the lowland areas.
 

Where do we come from?
We are descended from the ancient Celts arrived in Britain around 500 BC. Despite being warriors, the Celts were a highly artistic nation and some of the beautiful jewelery and artifacts that they made can still be seen at museums such as Celtica.

What are we like as people?
We all share a passion for life or "hwyl" that is unique to us as a nation. Only by experiencing Welsh life at close hand, can you really appreciate it.

We are warm and welcoming. Wherever you travel in Wales you can be assured of the warmest of welcomes. Welsh people are open and hospitable.

We are proud of our ancient history and language and celebrate our cultural festivals such as the Eisteddfod. 

http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-welsh-people
 

Ingredients:

a piece of salt bacon
450g (1lb) carrots, finely diced
450g (1lb) potatoes, finely diced
2 large leeks, sliced
white cabbage, finely shredded
15 ml (tbsp) chopped parsley
30 ml (2tbsp) oatmeal (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

Put the bacon, carrots and potatoes into sufficient boiling water to cover them.  Boil for one and a half hours, topping up with water as it boils down.  Take out the bacon and add the leeks together with some finely shredded cabbage.

When the two vegetables are cooked, add the chopped parsley and serve.  Thicken the cawl by adding the oatmeal mixed into a paste with cold water.

Succulent Salmon with a hint of herbs makes this a recipe that will impressing friends and family. 

Ingredients:

4lb. Salmon
4oz butter
pinch of rosemary
nutmeg
salt and pepper
a few cloves
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions:

Prepare the salmon by cleaning then rubbing inside and out with mixed seasoning.  Put the salmon in a greased ovenproof dish.  Cover with dots of butter and roast in moderate oven for 20 minutes per pound.

Baste frequently
Serve with wedges of lemon
 

Cockles are in abundance on the Gower coast of Wales and this is just one of the many variations on Cockle pie from that area.

Ingredients:

1 quart cockles
1 cup water
1 bunch Spring onions
4 slices bacon
1/2 cup of milk
pinch of pepper
short-crust pastry

Cooking Instructions:

Leave cockles in slightly salted water sprinkled with oatmeal overnight.  Drain and scrub thoroughly.

Place in a saucepan of salted water for 3 minutes until the shells open.  When cool remove cockles from their shells.  Line the sides of a pie dish with shortcrust pastry.  Cover the bottom of the dish with cockles

Chop up the onions and sprinkle over the cockles.  Add a layer of finely chopped bacon.  Repeat, ending with a layer of cockles. 

Pour in the liquid in which the cockles were boiled.  Add pepper to taste.  Use strips of pastry to criss-cross the top and brush with milk.  Cook for 20-25 minutes in oven at gas mark 7, 425F.

Ingredients: 

1lb self-raising flour. 
8oz butter or good quality margarine 
8oz granulated sugar, and a small amount of caster sugar 
8oz currants 
Teaspoon of mixed spice 
Half teaspoon salt 
2 large eggs and a drop of milk 

Rub the fat and flour together until crumbly and then add all the other ingredients except the eggs and milk.  Mix thoroughly, and then add the eggs. Add the milk slowly while mixing, to get the right consistency. The mix should not be too sticky as it is difficult to roll.

Roll out - not too thin, a bit less than a quarter of an inch - and cut into rounds about 2" across. Cook on a griddle or hot plate and turn once when brown. Dust with a little caster sugar to serve. 

Welsh Rarebit

Ingredients:

4 slices of bread
1 oz butter
1 level teaspoon mustard
1/4 level teaspoon salt
A shake of cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
6oz cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons milk or beer 

In a bowl cream the butter well and stir in the mustard, salt, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, cheese and milk or beer. Toast the slices of bread on one side only, spread the mixture on the un-toasted side and brown under a hot grill.

A buck rarebit is the same as above but served with a poached egg on top.

www.walesinfo.com
www.red4.co.uk/index.htm
www.touristwales.co.uk
tourism.wales.gov.uk
www.data-wales.co.uk/castles1.htm
www.heart-of-wales.co.uk
www.celticgolf.com/vacations/wales
www.bbc.co.uk/wales/culture
www.data-wales.co.uk/wstats.htm
www.walesdirectory.co.uk

National Parks
Counties (map copyright www.walesdirectory.co.uk)
Cities and Towns

Thanks to the above websites for Wales information.

Wales has a long tradition of storytelling, from the wonder tales of the Mabinogion through fireside tales of the Little People and larger than life historical figures, through to the legends of our own day. Storytellers have always taught and entertained anyone who would listen; once there were bards entertaining their noble patrons in medieval halls, now there are contemporary tellers keeping the old stories alive. 

Old Morgan ap Rhys was sitting one night by himself in his own chimney corner, solacing his loneliness with his pipe and some Llangollen ale. The generous liquor made Morgan very light-hearted, and he began to sing - at least he was under the impression that he was singing. His voice, however, was anything but sweet, and a bard whom he had offended - it is a very dangerous thing to fall foul of the bards in Wales, because they often have such bitter tongues - had likened his singing to the lowing of an old cow or the yelping of a blind dog which has lost its way to the cowyard. His singing, however, gave Morgan himself much satisfaction, and this particular evening he was especially pleased with the harmony he was producing. The only thing which marred his sense of contentment was the absence of an audience. Just as he was coming to the climax of his song, he heard a knock at the door. Delighted with the thought that there was someone to listen to him, Morgan sang with all the fervour he was capable of, and his top note was, in his opinion, a thing of beauty and a joy for ever. When he had quite finished, he again heard a knock at the door, and shouted out, "What is the door for but to come in by? Come in, whoever you are." Morgan's manners, you will see, were not very polished.

The door opened and in came three travellers, travel-stained and weary-looking. Now these were fairies from Cader Idris disguised in this manner to see how Morgan treated strangers, but he never suspected they were other than they appeared. "Good sir," said one of the travellers, "we are worn and tired, but all we seek is a bite of food to put in our wallets, and then we will go on our way."

"Brensiach," said Morgan, "is that all you want? Well, there, look you, is the loaf and the cheese, and the knife lies by them, and you may cut what you like. Eat your heartiest and fill your wallets, for never shall it be said that Morgan ap Rhys denied bread and cheese to strangers that came into his house." The travellers proceeded to help themselves, and Morgan, determined not to fail in hospitality, sang to them while they ate, moistening his throat occasionally with Llangollen ale when it became dry.

The fairy travellers, after they had regaled themselves sufficiently, got up to go and said, "Good sir, we thank you for our entertainment. Since you have been so generous we will show that we are grateful. It is in our power to grant you any one wish you may have: tell us what that wish may be."

"Well, indeed," said Morgan, "the wish of my heart is to have a harp that will play under my fingers, no matter how ill I strike it: a harp that will play lively tunes, look you - no melancholy music for me. But surely it's making fun of me you are."

But that was not the case: he had hardly finished speaking when, to his astonishment, there on the hearth before him stood a splendid harp. He looked round and found his guests had vanished. "That's the most extraordinary thing I have ever seen in my life," said Morgan; "they must have been fairies," and he was so flabbergasted that he felt constrained to drink some more ale. This allayed to some extent his bewilderment, and he proceeded to try the instrument he had been so mysteriously presented with. As soon as his fingers touched the strings, the harp began to play a mad and capering tune. Just then there was a sound of footsteps, and in came his wife with some friends. No sooner did they hear the strains of the harp than they began dancing, and as long as Morgan's fingers were on the strings, they kept footing it like mad creatures.

The news that Morgan had come into possession of a harp with some mysterious power spread like wildfire over the whole country, and many were the visitors who came to see him and it. Every time he played it everyone felt irresistibly impelled to dance, and could not leave off until Morgan stopped. Even lame people capered away, and a one-legged man who visited him danced as merrily as any biped.

One day, among the company who had come to see if the stories about the harp were true, was the bard who had made such unpleasant remarks about Morgan's singing. Morgan determined to pay him out, and instead of stopping as usual after the dance had been going on for a few minutes, he kept on playing. He played on and on until the dancers were exhausted and shouted to him to stop. But Morgan was finding the scene much too amusing to want to stop. He laughed until his sides ached and the tears rolled down his cheeks at the antics of his visitors, and especially at those of the bard. The longer he played the madder became the dance: the dancers spun round and round, wildly knocking over the furniture, and some of them bounded up against the roof of the cottage till their heads cracked again. Morgan did not stop until the bard had broken his legs and the rest had been jolted almost to pieces. By that time his revenge was satisfied, and his sides and jaws were so tired with laughing that he had to take his fingers away from the strings.

But this was the last time he was to have the chance of venting his spite on his enemies. By next morning the harp had disappeared, and was never seen again. The fairies, evidently displeased with the evil use to which their gift had been put, must have taken it away in the night. And this is a warning to all who abuse the gifts of the fairies.

One evening she forgot to close the well, and the water gushed out. It flowed strongly and ceaselessly, but so noiseless was the flow that the fairies did not notice it. At last it overwhelmed one of their dancing rings, and they perceived and stopped the overflow, not, however, before Glasfryn lake had been formed. 

When she saw the result of her negligence, Grassi, overcome with remorse, walked to and fro on the piece of ground which is now called Cae'r Ladi, "the Lady's Field," wringing her hands and weeping and moaning. The fairies seized her and changed her into a swan. In this form she haunted the lake which her forgetfulness had caused for six score years, after which time the fairies allowed her to resume her human shape. 

At any rate, there is to be seen about two hours after midnight, on certain nights in the year, a tall lady with lovely features and large bright eyes, dressed in white silk and a white velvet bonnet, wandering up and down the high ground of Cae'r Ladi, weeping and wailing. If she is not Grassi, who is she?

One morning, after the cock had crowed three times, he heard a voice proclaiming three times, "This very night shall the richest man in this parish die." He was greatly troubled, and sent his servants in hot haste for the best of physicians far and near. He took to his bed, and the physicians watched unceasingly by his side, administering to him every medicine and every support of life which their study of the healing art had discovered.

The night came and wore away, although it appeared to the nobleman as long as a man's life. The dawn broke, and the nobleman and the physicians rejoiced exceedingly that he was still alive. While they rejoiced, lo, the church bell tolled the knell of someone dead. They sent to enquire who it was. The answer came that it was a poor old blind beggar-man, who was often to be seen sitting more than half-naked at the roadside asking an alms. 

The nobleman said, "The voice proclaimed that the greatest and richest man in the parish would die. The old beggar must have been a cheat and impostor. As he has neither children nor relatives, to me, the lord of this land, belongs by law the wealth which he must have been possessed of." So he sent his servants to search the hut in which the beggar had died. They found nothing but a truss of straw and a bolster of rushes, with the old man lying dead upon them: there was no food or drink or fire or clothes, and it was seen that the beggar had perished from hunger and cold.

"What then meant the voice?" asked the nobleman. And one of the physicians answered and said, "The blind beggar-man has laid up for himself treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. Are these treasures not greater than the uncertain and deceitful riches of this world?"

The nobleman was changed from that hour: he relieved poverty and want, and endowed churches, hospitals and schools. On his death-bed he asked that he should be buried in the beggar-man's grave.