The English name for Wales originates from the Germanic word Walha, meaning "stranger" or foreigner," which is in turn probably derived from the term Volcae. The Welsh call themselves Cymry, meaning "compatriots," and call their country Cymru, which is believed to have meant "Land of the Compatriots" in Old Welsh.

Wales is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It occupies a wide peninsula on the west coast of the island of Great Britain, taking up about one-tenth of the island.

Total Area 8,018 sq mi (20,766 sq km)
Greatest Distance E-W 116 mi (187 km)
Highest Elevation Mount Snowdon, 3,561 ft (1,085 m) above sea level
Lowest Elevation sea level, along the coast

Mount Snowdon

Population (2013 est) 3,063,760
Largest Cities Cardiff (Caerdydd), Swansea (Abertawe), Newport (Casnewydd), Rhondda
Major Ethnic Groups Welsh, Welsh-English, Asian
Major Languages Welsh (official), English (official)
Major Religions Presbyterian Church of Wales, Roman Catholic, Islam

Capital Cardiff
Parliamentary Representation 40 seats in the House of Commons
Local Legislature National Assembly for Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru)
Local Administration 22 council areas and 5 cities

Principal Industries mining
Agricultural Products barley, hay, oats, potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep
Natural Resources coal, limestone, slate, manganese, gold, lead, uranium, copper, zinc, fireclays
Manufacturing aluminum, chemicals, electrical equipment, iron, motor vehicle parts, steel, synthetic fibers, tin plate

National Flag (Y Ddraig Goch) the red dragon of Prince Cadwalader, along with the Tudor colors of green and white

National Motto Cymru am byth ("Wales forever")
National Anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau ("Land of My Fathers")
National Emblem leek
National Flower daffodil (cenhinen Pedr, "Peter's Leek")
Patron Saint Saint David (Dewi Sant)

OFFICIAL WEBSITES
Official Gateway to Wales www.wales.com
Visit Wales www.visitwales.com

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This page was last updated on September 29, 2017.