The British Isles
Contents London History by Juliette London Monuments by Sébastien England by Adeline and Pauline British Sports by Louen British Music by Corentin Wales by Stéphanie and Cynthia Scotland by Jessica and Alexane Ireland by Noémie and Julie
File of Wales Guilloux Stéphanie Le Gallic Cynthia
Name: Wales Emblem: The leek and daffodil There are many explotations of how the leek came to be adopted as the national emblem of Wales. One is that Saint David advised the Welsh, to wear leeks in their caps, to distinguish friends from enemies. Flag: This flag was officially adopted in 1959, but the red dragon (possibly Roman in origin) has been associated with Wales for many centuries. The green and white background stripes represent the house of Tudor, a Welsh dynasty that once held the English throne. Area: 20 768 sq km Population: 2.9 millions Capital: Cardiff
Queen: Elisabeth Major languages: Welsh and English The religion: The largest religion in Wales is Christianity, with 72% of the population declaring to be Christian in the 2001. Non Christian religions are small in Wales, making up less than 2% of the population. 18% of people declare no religion. Currency: Pound sterling Major Cities: Cardiff is the capital, largest and most populated city of Wales. Cardiff is a significant tourism center and the most popular destination in Wales with 11.7 million visitors in 2006. The city is Wales main commercial center, the base for many national cultural and sporting events, the welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for Wales. Since 1996 it is governed by the county of Cardiff. Since 1905, Cardiff possesses officially the status of city. History: The Romans occupied Britain for 400 years. Following the Romans came the Saxons, Picts, Vikings and Normans. Wales is one of four nations composing the United Kingdom. It is called Cymru in Welsh.
Saint patron: Saint David The patron saint of Wales is david. Saint David s day is celebrated on 1 st, March. He died in 589 or 601 having establlished a monastery in Pembrokeshire, his name today. He lived an austere life, dedicated to God. There are more than 50 churches dedicated to Saint David in Wales. He was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. He was one of many early saints who helped to spread Christianity among the pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain. Traditions: The traditional costume is carried by the women. We place him it on the shoulders. Aprons are often carriedand they sometimes contain several colors, the most recognizable party of the costume is the big black hat or beaver hat, whitch seems to find his origins in France at the end of the 18 th century. The national anthem of Wales is «Earth of my ancestors». This hymn is always sung in Welsh and often haerd during international sports and cultural events. The most popular sports in Wales are rugby and football. Wales, like other constituent nations, enjoys independent representation in major world sporting events such in the Commonwealth Games.
Love spoons It is about a very ancient Welsh tradition which says that a young man scultures a spoon in a single piece of wood and presents it to his beloved in sign of his love; it was then considered as a kind of engagement ring. These spoons contained normally several symbols, as wheels, hearts, locks and birds which represent value as the love, the friendship, the health and the prosperity.
Geographical Situation: Wales is between Irlande and England. Biography: Princess Diana Diana Spencer, the princess of Wales, was born on July 1 st, 1961 in Sandringham, in England. She was the first wife of Charles, prince of Wales. Charles first wife, but they divorced in 1992. She was known for her actions of charity. She died on 31 st august 1997.