The origins of Wales
Volcanic activity, changing climate and melting Ice Age glaciers shaped the mountains and valleys of Wales and defined the coastline. Evidence of a sophisticated civilisation possessing art, agriculture and an ordered religion goes back some 24,000 years. Celts, Beaker Folk and sea faring Iberians brought their own religions rites and legends to this land. Later came Romans, Scots, Irish and other European races. They have all helped to shape the soul of Wales.

Civilisation older than the pyramids
All around the country you will find megalithic structures known as Cromlech which pre-date the pyramids by about 1,500 years. In Wales there are more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe. From Roman garrisons to Saxon forts to Norman strongholds. Many have stood the test of time and are preserved for the world to enjoy.

Despite a wealth of scientifically dated artefacts, monuments and structures, Wales is a land of legend - of fire breathing dragons, powerful wizards and ferocious giants. The warrior chief, King Arthur reputedly held court in Cerleon and evidence that his mentor and chief druid, Merlin really did exist, can be found in the Welsh translation of the town of  Carmarthen -Caerfryddin or Merlin's Fort.

Europe's oldest living language
The Welsh people have a powerful facility with words which comes from the rich lyrical language with its roots in ancient Celtic culture.  Almost one fifth of the population can speak Welsh. The letters k,q,v and z do not exist in the Welsh language. The letters y and w are vowels. The LL sound is unlike anything in modern English. To make it place your tongue in the normal place for l then try to pronounce an h. The road signs are bilingual and you'll frequently come across dual place names.  But don't worry about encountering any language difficulties though! As a visitor to Wales you'll find that everybody can speak English.

Important dates in Wales

AD. 50-75 Roman Armies respected and feared their Celtic adversaries more than any enemy. Their forays into Wales seem little more than to secure trade routes to the copper and gold producing areas.

1071 The Normans overran England in a matter of weeks, but only had a turbulent, tenuous and hard fought hold on the peripheral areas of Wales, maintained, often on only a temporary basis, by a 'necklace' of strategically placed castles. Even so, William I did call himself Lord of Wales.

1282 Llewelyn, Prince of Wales killed in the conflict with the Norman barons.

1301 Edward I presents a new Prince of Wales that was unable to speak English - his new born son! This has set a precedent over the next 700 years, that the heir to the throne is styled the 'Prince of Wales'

1400-1410 Owain Glyn Dwr rebels against English rule and establishes the first parliament in mainland Britain at Machynlleth. The building can still be seen today.

1485 Henry, a Welsh Prince becomes Henry VII of England, the first king of the House of Tudor, one of the most powerful dynasties in British History.

1536-43 Henry VIII's Acts of Union strengthened the relationship with England and was the first step in creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain, completed when James VI of Scotland became King of England in 1701.

1588 The first Welsh translation of the complete bible appears, which in turn led to the subsequent rise of non conformist protestant religious sects.

1916-22 David Lloyd George becomes the United Kingdom's first Welsh-born prime minister.

1925 Plaid Cymru - "The Party of Wales" is formed

1962 The Welsh Language Society, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, is created to help preserve the Welsh language.

1982 The television network Sianel Pedwar Cymru (S4C, with most of its programmes in Welsh begins transmitting.

1999 The National Assembly for Wales is elected. "A new form of democracy" with the power to make vital decisions affecting everyone in Wales.