The UK on Screen Episode 2: Wales

In this installment of our telly tour around the UK, we move on to the country of Wales. Yes, the land that boasts the longest place name in the world (Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch) and that really awesome dragon flag!

This large peninsula in western Britain is divided from England by major rivers including the Severn and mountain ranges such as the Black Mountains. The most populated cities in Wales are Cardiff, Swansea and Newport. Coal mining, steel and slate were once the primary industries in the country; however, nowadays tourism, public services and light industry are the major sources of employment for Welsh inhabitants

Officially a bilingual country since 1967, this means Welsh enjoys the same legal status as English within the borders of Wales. Road signs throughout the country appear in both Welsh and English and public buildings display bilingual signs and notices. This status also means court and other government business must be conducted in both languages as well.

Wales is home to a number of World Heritage sites including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal; the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon, South Wales Valleys; Caernarfon Castle and Conwy Castle. The country also has three national parks within its borders -Brecon Beacons National Park, Snowdonia National Park and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

An abbreviated list of notable Welsh natives feature individuals of many talents - TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia); writers Dylan Thomas and Roald Dahl; politicians Aneurin Bevan and David Lloyd George and singers such as Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey. Welsh acting luminaries include Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to explore Wales via the telly. From its modern cities and quaint villages to the desolate beauty of Cymru’s (that’s Wales in Welsh) western coast, the country is diverse in landscape and characters.

Being Human (BBC)