{"id":65179,"date":"2023-01-09T16:46:43","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T16:46:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/?p=65179"},"modified":"2026-03-26T16:58:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:58:40","slug":"intriguing-facts-about-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/intriguing-facts-about-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Intriguing\u00a0Facts about Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"

From world-famous natives to Royal dog breeds and a dense castle population, there are lots of intriguing facts to learn about Wales!<\/p>\n

Despite being a small country, we all know that this rugby-mad nation is home to some of the UK’s highest mountains, the most beautiful beaches, and a famous face or two!<\/p>\n

But did you know that there is a Welsh-speaking community in Argentina? Or that Mount Everest was named after a Welshman?<\/p>\n

Discover even more intriguing facts about Wales below…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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1. Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom<\/h2>\n

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Have you ever wondered, “is Wales a country?” Fear not, you’re not alone!<\/p>\n

Wales was a principality for a brief period, which is why so many people question if Wales is a country or not. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a “principality” is a nation ruled by a prince.<\/p>\n

In modern Wales, the country is governed by elected officials not by a hereditary royal prince. Wales, which is a part of the island of Great Britain and shares a border with England, is therefore a nation itself.<\/p>\n

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2. There are 7 cities in Wales<\/h2>\n

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Our next Welsh fact relates to how many cities there are in Wales. The answer is 7!<\/p>\n

Wales is home to 7 multi-sized cities that are dotted across the landscape, from south to north. The capital city of Cardiff<\/a> is the oldest city in Wales, and the latest addition to Wales’s collection of cities is Wrexham<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wrexham became Wales’s seventh city following a competition, which was part of the Queen\u2019s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. In Wrexham, you’ll find the world\u2019s oldest international football stadium that still hosts international matches, The Racecourse<\/a>. Continuing to impress, the club was famously acquired by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021!<\/p>\n

The remaining cities in Wales are Newport<\/a>, Swansea<\/a>, Bangor<\/a>, St Asaph<\/a> and St David’s<\/a>, all of which have distinctive traits and histories!<\/p>\n

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3. Wales has a population of over 3 million<\/h2>\n

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Ever wondered how many people live in Wales? According to the 2021 census,<\/a> the population of Wales was estimated to be 3,107,500 – the largest population ever recorded in Wales!<\/p>\n

It states that the population has grown by 44,000 since the 2011 census and that 51.2% of the population were women, and 47.9% were men.<\/p>\n

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4. The size of Wales is 20,779 km\u00b2<\/h2>\n

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With a collection of towering mountains, incredible beaches<\/a> and miles of farmland and forests, our next fact about Wales may come as a surprise!<\/p>\n

The size of Wales is just 20,779 km\u00b2, which is arguably relatively small when we compare it to the size of England, at 243,6010 km\u00b2.<\/p>\n

However, 20,779 km\u00b2 is the equivalent of 14 million rugby-size pitches, which is quite impressive!<\/p>\n

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5. Wales’s National Day is St David’s Day<\/h2>\n

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St David’s Day\/Dydd Dewi Sant is a day of music, culture and language, celebrated annually on the 1st of March.<\/p>\n

In honour of St David, this Welsh national celebration is one of the most colourful days on the calendar. It is custom to wear a daffodil or a leek, which are two of Wales’ national emblems and children dress in traditional costume.<\/p>\n

Fuel your day of celebration with traditional Welsh foods<\/a>, including Welsh cakes and cawl! Afterwards, partake in several parades across Wales, including the National St David’s Day Parade<\/a>, which takes place in the centre of Cardiff.<\/p>\n

See a sea of red dragons and the flag of St David, as the non-military parade brings together several cultural groups to join an imaginative celebration of Welsh heritage and culture.<\/p>\n

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6. The corgi dog originates from Wales<\/h2>\n

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Yes, that’s right, Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved dogs hail from Wales!<\/p>\n

The Pembroke Welsh corgi ancestry is said to date back to the 10th century and despite their tiny size, they have been used for herding for decades!\u00a0Interestingly, Welsh legend says that they are an “enchanted” breed and serve as the steed for fairy warriors.<\/p>\n

Another Welsh fact, the origin of the name “corgi” is hard to determine! Some interpret the Welsh word “cor” to mean dwarf and “gi” as a form of the Welsh word dog.<\/p>\n

Combine those meanings together and you have a dwarf dog! Others interpret the Welsh word “cor” to mean gather or watch over, hence their herding reputation!<\/p>\n

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7. The red, white and green dragon flag was officially recognised in 1959<\/h2>\n

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The Welsh flag that we know and love – a striking red dragon on a green and white background – was officially recognised in 1959.<\/p>\n

The dragon incorporates the red dragon of\u00a0Cadwaladr, King of\u00a0Gwynedd, along with the Tudor colours of red and green.<\/p>\n

The dragon has been associated with Wales for centuries before Cadwaladr’s reign; however, the origin of the symbol has been lost in myth. Moreover, others suggest that the green and white colours represent the leek, the national emblem of Wales.<\/p>\n

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8. One of the best beach bars in the world can be found in Wales<\/h2>\n
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A post shared by Brent (@carrington57)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n