Wales
Wales is the country in the west of Great Britain. It is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a mild climate, with more rain than most of Britain. The land is unsuitable for arable farming, but sheep and cattle thrive. The highest mountain in England and Wales is Snowdon (3,560 feet). The largest natural lake is Bala. The longest river is the Wye (130 miles). The patron Saint of Wales is St. David. The national emblem of Wales is the leek, another symbol is the daffodil as its Welsh name is translated as a kind of leek. Wales was conquered by the Romans, but not by the Saxons.
Cardiff, the largest city of Wales, is the capital of the country. It is situated on the southeast coast of Wales, and three rivers, the Taff, the Ely and the Rhymney flow through it into the Bristol Channel. Castles abound in and around Cardiff. Cardiff is home for the National Museum of Wales, the Welsh Industrial Maritime Museum, the City Hall, Lladaff Cathedral and many other fine buildings.
Swansea, Wales's second city, is set along the wide, curving bay. The city centre was rebuilt after heavy bombing in World War II.
The Welsh have managed to maintain their ancient language. Welsh belongs to the Celtic languages and is the earliest of the British languages. There is an official biligual policy: road signs are in Welsh and English. Today it is taught in schools and colleges, there are Radio and TV programmes, many official documents are in English and Welsh.
The Welsh are great lovers of poetry, which finds expression every year in the National Eisteddfod (pronounced as 'aistepvod'). It attracts people from all over the world.
(По материалам О.А. Письменная "Окна в англоязычный мир")
Vocabulary:
arable farming - земледелие, хлебопашество
sheep and cattle thrive - бурное развитие крупного рогатого скота и овцеводства
leek - лук-порей
daffodil - жёлтый нарцисс
abound - быть, иметься в большом количестве
bay - залив
maintain - сохранять
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