The people of Wales, like those of Britain in general, are descendants of various stocks, including Celts, Scandinavians, and Romans. The population of Wales is 2,952,000 (2004 estimate). The population density was 142 persons per sq km (368 persons per sq mi). About three-quarters of the population is concentrated in the mining centers in the south.
Political Divisions
Local government in Wales was reorganized in 1996, when the 8 former counties and 37 districts were replaced by 22 new unitary authorities. Administration for each authority is the function of popularly elected councils.
Language
Both English and Welsh are official languages. English is spoken by most of the population. A small percentage of the people speak Welsh only; more than one-quarter of the population speaks both Welsh and English (see Celtic Languages). As part of an effort to preserve Welsh culture, the government supports Welsh language books, plays, and other artworks, and Welsh has been included in the school curriculum since 1970. The British Broadcasting Corporation operates two radio stations in Wales—one that broadcasts in English and one that broadcasts in Welsh—and contributes programming to a Welsh-language television station. There are a number of bilingual publications, and most road signs are in English and Welsh. In 1993 the Welsh Language Act gave equality to English and Welsh in government business and the courts.
Education
The educational system of Wales is similar to that of England. In 1970 education was made bilingual, and in some districts instruction is given in Welsh, and English is taught as a second language. See England.
The principal institution of higher education is the University of Wales (1893). The university has branches in Aberystwyth, Bangor, Lampeter, Newport, and Swansea. It also includes the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff; the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education; the Swansea Institute of Higher Education; Trinity College, Carmarthen; and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. In 1992 the Polytechnic of Wales in Pontypridd became Glamorgan University, the second university in Wales. In 2004 the University of Wales, Cardiff, and the University of Wales College of Medicine merged to form Cardiff University.
