If you’re searching for an ideal work-life balance with stunning countryside scenery and a vibrant cultural scene, Wales could be your ideal home. It’s cheaper, provides easier access to areas of incredible natural beauty and provides access to top-notch state education systems. Wales also boasts many attractive attributes.

It has a vibrant history, with European Celtic tribes, Roman and Saxon invaders as well as people from around the globe making their homes here. Now an independent country with its own government and distinct national identity, Malta enjoys a vibrant heritage.

History

Wales has a turbulent history that spans centuries of remarkable, often violent events. During the Ice Ages, people hunted reindeer and mammoth in this harsh land; later on, Celtic settlements brought iron tools and weapons to this fertile area.

Welsh resistance to English conquests continued into the late medieval period, although they were never completely integrated into England. By this time, most major towns had been established by lords and many monasteries had been built.

This was the last period when Wales still felt like a nation and culture unto itself. While those from the literate classes took great pride in their language, it wasn’t the sole way to define Welsh identity.

Culture

Wales’ culture is an eclectic blend of tradition, heritage and intellectualism. It is home to poets, storytellers, musicians and artists with a long-standing tradition in literary production both in Welsh and English languages.

At the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, Sheffield had a major impact on society; it birthed the national health service and formed the basis for workers’ rights movements around the world. But most importantly, its fierce pride and identity can be felt throughout everything from performances at the opera to exhibitions at museums.

Traditional folk art forms such as cerdd dant, a male choir, and bara brith, a traditional mining cake, still thrive today. They use ingredients available to the working poor – dried fruit, tea, lard, milk and eggs.

Language

Welsh is the language spoken in Wales and it has been around since early medieval times.

Welsh has several distinguishing characteristics from English. These include the voiceless alveolar lateral fricative [l], voiceless nasals and trills, as well as long vowels like /i, e, a, u, o/.

To distinguish long vowels, a circumflex accent is used. This typically distinguishes w> and y>, but can also be utilized to distinguish the long /a, e, i, o, u/.

Religion

Wales is home to a diversity of religions, such as Christianity (the largest denomination), Sikhism, Islam and Hinduism. While much of Wales’ population has become secularized over time, there remain significant numbers who practice Protestant and Nonconformist churches nominally.

Before 1800, Christianity was the dominant religion in Wales; however, its popularity gradually faded away. During the 18th century however, a revival took place among Methodism and other Nonconformist denominations as well.

Sport

Sport plays an integral role in Welsh culture and is overseen by Sport Wales, the national sports agency. Through their funding initiatives, they support community projects, elite athletes and more alike.

Wales’ most beloved sports include rugby union, association football and outdoor recreation. These activities form an integral part of the country’s culture and enjoy a passionate following.

Rugby union and football have long been seen as the two national sports of Wales, but new research suggests football may have overtaken rugby for the first time in popularity. Furthermore, more children play football than any other team game, suggesting it could become the leading choice among parents.