WALES

Facts about Wales Country Facts Motto: Cymru am byth (Wales for ever) Flag: Red dragon on a green and white field. National Day: 1 March Area:  20,779 sq km Population:  2,918,700 (2002) Capital City: Cardiff (Caerdydd) Major Cities: Cardiff, Swansea (Abertawe) and Newport (Casnewydd) Official Language:  English and Cymraeg (Welsh)  Nationality : Welsh and British Anthem (Song): Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land Of My Fathers) Main religions:  Anglicanism, Methodism Currency:  Pound Sterling (£) Highest point:  Snowdon 1085 metres (3559 ft) Longest river: Towy (Tywi) 103 km (64 miles) Largest Lake:  Bala (4.4 sq km) Official Animal Dragon
Where is Wales? Wales is in north-west Europe and is part of Great Britain, an island country ( See map ) and the United Kingdom (UK) . The name Wales comes from the Cymraeg word Gwalia, meaning in English "Homeland". It later became Latinized as Walia, then by the Normans to something like Wal~es....then Wales. Wales (Cymru in Welsh) is a mountainous country on the western side of Great Britain. Wales is bordered by England to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, St George's Channel in the west, and the Irish Sea to the north. Technically, Wales is a principality. This means that it is ruled by a prince. Traditionally the Prince of Wales is the eldest son of the English monarch. Wales is one of the four parts of the United Kingdom (along with England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland). Great Britain Wales has not been politically independent since 1282, when it was conquered by King Edward I of England. Until 1999, Wales was ruled directly from London; that year saw the first elections to the National Assembly of Wales, which has limited domestic powers and cannot make law. Wales does not issue its own currency and is not in control of any armed forces. These are the powers of the national government of the UK. The national game of Wales is Rugby The National Flag of Wales Why doesn't the Welsh dragon appear on the Union Flag?  The Welsh dragon does not appear on the flag because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united with England from the 13th century. This meant that Wales a Principality instead of a Kingdom and as such could not be included. In 1536, under Henry VIII, the Act of Union joined England and Wales officially. What would the Union Flag look like if Wales was represented? In November 2007, a Welsh MP, Ian Lucas, asked parliament why Wales is not represented in the Union Jack. Of course, we have the answer here on our website, but what if Wales was represented, what would the flag look like? Below you can see Ian Lucas' version of the Union flag with Wales represented: Economy Coal, copper, iron, lead, and gold have been mined in Wales, and slate has been quarried. Much of Wales, due to poor soil, is unsuitable for crop-growing, and so livestock farming has traditionally been the focus of agriculture. The Welsh landscape, protected by three National Parks, and the unique Welsh culture bring in tourism, which is especially vital for rural areas. Traditional Welsh Food Welsh food is usually made from local ingredients. Some traditional dishes include laverbread (made from seaweed), bara brith (fruit cake), cawl cennin (leek stew), Welsh cakes, Welsh Rarebit, and Welsh lamb. A type of shellfish, cockles, is often served with breakfast.           The Welsh cawl                                                                                   Famous Welsh people Wales is known for its great actors - Richard Burton, and today Sir Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta Jones. It is also known for its Celtic traditions and the Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) on its flag. Laura Ashley - famous fashion creator. David Lloyd George - past British Prime Minister, Sir George Everest - famous traveler and explorer, The highest peak in the world is named after him. Writers and poets Roald Dahl (1916–1990), author Dick Francis (born 1920), jockey and author Dylan Thomas (1914–1953), poet Ronald Stuart Thomas (1913–2000), poet David Jones (1895–1974), artist and poet Musicians Tom Jones Shirley Bassey. Musical groups: Catatonia, Super Furry Animals, The Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers.

SCOTLAND

SCOTLAND

                                                              SCOTLAND

Special thanks to Lisa for her oral presentation on Scotland

Special thanks to Carla and Clothilde for their oral presentation on Burns Night  

Special thanks to Indian for her oral presentation on her favouirite group U2 (mine too ;-) )

 The national  flag of Scotland or  Saint Andrew's flag

 30 November - The national day of Scotland’s is St Andrew's Day . St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland.

  St. Andrew was one of Christ's twelve apostles. Some of his bones are said to have been brought to what is now St. Andrews in Fife during the 4th century. 

Since medieval times the X-shaped saltire cross upon which St. Andrew was supposedly crucified has been the Scottish national symbol.

 The national emblem: the thistle

 The national emblem and national flower of Scotland is the thistle, a prickly-leaved purple flower which was first used in the 15th century as a symbol of defence.

Scotland is Famous for.... 

Its fresh water lochs (lakes) – there are over 600 square miles of them. One of the most famous is Loch Ness where a mysterious monster is said to lurk in the depths of the water.

It is also famous for its clans, kilts, medieval castles, as well as poetry and songs ofRobert Burns.
Theatre lovers from around the world come to Edinburgh for its famous theatres festival.

EDINBURH (the capital)
Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since 1999 again. It is the second most populous city of the country. The Scottish capital is an important cultural and scientific centre, as well as the second most important centre of finance after London.
During the 19th century, Edinburgh was called ‘Auld Reekie’ because of the smoke from the steam engines and the pollution of the Industrial Revolution. Another nickname was ‘the Athens of the North’ because of the neoclassical style of some of its buildings and monuments.
The most famous street in Edinburgh is the Royal Mile which leads to Edinburgh Castle. 

 Edinburgh Castle was built during the 12th century. It is situated on top of an extinct volcano.









When you visit the castle, you can see the Scottish Crown Jewels, also known as the Honours of Scotland. The crown was made in 1540. 



 

You can also admire the Stone of Destiny which has been used for coronation ceremonies for many centuries. In 1292, the Stone of Destiny was taken from Scotland to Westminster Abbey, in London by King Edward I of England. In 1950, four students took the Stone from Westminster Abbey for return to Scotland. The Stone was found a few months later. In 1996, Queen Elizabeth II allowed the Stone to be returned to Scotland, after 700 years.

Two other famous attractions at Edinburgh Castle are Mons Meg and the One o’clock Gun. 
Mons Meg is one of the oldest cannons in the world. It is over 550 years old. 
The One o’clock Gun is fired every day at 1 p.m. In the past,it was a time signal for ships.

 GLASGOW 

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland. The name ‘Glasgow’ comes from a Gaelic word which means ‘Dear green place / space’. The bishopric of Glasgow was set up in the 12th century and the University of Glasgow was founded in the 15th century.

Today, Glasgow is both an old and modern city, famous for its museums and art galleries. There are over 20 museums and art galleries in Glasgow.

 The biggest museum is Kelvingrove. It is the most popular UK museum outside London.  As for the Burrell Collection, it is the largest private collection of artwork in the world.

Another thing this Scottish city is known for is its architecture. Glasgow’s most famous architect is Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the founder of Art Nouveau.

 

Glasgow has recently started a regeneration programme with the construction of very modern buildings such as the Clyde Auditorium, also known as ‘The Armadillo’, and the Clyde Arc or ‘The Squinty Bridge’.

INVERNESS

Inverness is the capital of the Highlands and it is also the northernmost city in the United Kingdom. It is situated on the river Ness.

Inverness was founded in the 6th century. The town was a stronghold (= a castle or place that is strongly built and difficult to attack) for the Picts.

There are about 40,000 inhabitants and the city is a major transport hub (= the most important and central part) for the region.

FOOD

The national dish is the HAGGIS ( « panse de brebis farcie »)

Scotland is famous for its game and salmon, the national dish is haggis and neeps (innards and offal chopped up with spices and cooked in a sheep's stomach, served with mashed turnip).

Haggis is made from lamb’s offal (lungs, liver and heart) mixed with suet, onions, herbs and spices, all packed into a skin bag traditionally, but not usually now, made of a sheep’s stomach. Haggis is often served with mashed potatoes and mashed swede or turnips. It is traditionally served on Burns’ Night.

                          
     


  THE HIGHLANDS GAMES

The Highlands Games celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage especially those of the Scottish Highlands

1 – What are the origins of these games ?

Th Highlands games have their origins in the Scottish clan system.They are over 300 years old.The clan chief encouraged his men to participate in competitions of physical strengh (=force) and endurance.They proved they were ready for battles against the English !

The Games are a way to commemorate Scottish history.

2 – Where and when do these games take place ?

The games take place throughout (= à travers toute) Scotland between May and September.

The most famous are held (=se déroule) in the late summer at the Bremar Gathering , and the Royal family attends.

The Cowal Highlands festival in Dunoon , every August, is the largest Highland Game in Scotland.It attracts 3,500 competitors and between 15,000and 20,000 spectators.

3 – What do these games consist of ?

The Highland games are a mix of sports,culture  and social activities.there is usually a programme of " light events " : athletics , piping and dancing competitions.

And there are typically Scottish" heavy events" : the shot putt , tossing the caber , the tug-o-war and the putting the stone.

 

Shot Putt

 



tug-o-war



 

putting the stone