Wales History And Background
Wales' culture is as varied as it's geography, from the bright lights of it's Capital Cardiff, to the sleepy beautiful coastal villages of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Not historically a tourist bound country (apart from Rhyl and Barry Island), Wales has seen a huge influx of international and domestic visitors over recent years. Some come for the tranquility or the beautiful countryside, and others for it's history.
Unlike the Scots, despite the rugged hilly terrain, the Welsh were conquered by the Romans. Hewn together from a variety of Celtic tribes, it's fragmentary nature it meant that it had no borders as such until the 8th Century when Offa's Dyke was built to keep the Welsh out of England.
The Norman invasion left several major castles scattered across Wales several of which are still worth visiting today. There were several more castles built in later times which are also worth visiting, Castle Coch just outside Cardiff is op particular note.
Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr led the last Welsh uprising against the English in the very early 1400s. Despite causing a lot of bother for the English the revolt wasn't successful, and for many years Wales has been under English Rule. There are many pubs in Wales, and many of them carry his name.
During the Industrial revolution Wales' population grew as workers poured in to work in the coal mines that supplied much of Britain. The world's first million pound deal was brokered in Cardiff's Coal Exchange, and for many years it's economy was reliant on mineral sources. This was eventually ended by cheap imported coal, and the closing of the mines by the conservative government in the late 1970s.
Wales' major industry these days is tourism, and it's not difficult to see why after a visit. The cities have a lot to offer, but once you leave them you find yourself in miles and miles of rolling lush green countryside, surrounded by unspoilt coastal areas. The stretching of the M4 corridor to St Clears has opened up the West of Wales, it's most beautiful area to many and regular tourists.
The coastal regions are dotted with campsites and holiday parks, as well as renowned holiday towns such as Tenby. There are many reasons to visit Wales, but while most international visitors head for the Capital, it is the coast that draws most domestic visitors, again, and again.
