Wales

Wales is a nation on the western side of the island of Great Britain. It is part of the United Kingdom and borders England to the east. The Irish Sea lies to the north and west. Wales is known for its mountains, green valleys, and long coastline. A coastline is the land along the edge of the sea. People in Wales have lived in these landscapes for thousands of years.

Early groups in Wales hunted animals, fished in rivers, and built simple homes. Later, Celtic tribes lived in the area. A tribe is a group of families connected by shared culture and leadership. These tribes formed small communities, traded goods, and sometimes built hillforts. A hillfort is a defended area on top of a hill. Hillforts helped protect people from attack and showed the importance of certain places.

During the Middle Ages, Wales was made up of several small kingdoms. A kingdom is an area ruled by a king or queen. The land was often divided among leaders who competed for power. Castles were built across Wales to protect territory and show control. A castle is a strong stone building used for defense and leadership. Some were built by Welsh rulers, and others by English kings. These castles now stand as reminders of past struggles and leadership changes.

The Welsh language is one of the oldest living languages in Europe. Many people in Wales speak both Welsh and English. Language is an important part of Welsh identity. Identity means the way people see themselves and their culture. Welsh songs, stories, and traditions have been passed down through families for generations.

The land of Wales includes many different environments. Snowdonia, in the north, has the highest mountains in Wales. A valley is a low area of land between hills or mountains, and Wales has many wide valleys used for farming. Farming is the growing of crops and raising of animals. The coastline provides places for fishing and travel by sea. In the south, larger towns and cities grew as centers for trade. Trade is the buying and selling of goods.

Today, Wales has its own parliament, called the Senedd, which helps make laws for the country. A parliament is a group of people who meet to make decisions about government. Families live in both rural and urban areas, and many visitors come to see mountains, castles, and cultural festivals. The history, language, and landscapes of Wales continue to shape the nation and the lives of its people.