II.

Land and Resources

Wales has an irregular coastline with many bays, the largest of which is Cardigan Bay. Except for the narrow coastal plains, mainly in the south and west, the river valleys, and the lowlands of the Welsh Marches along the English border, Wales is almost entirely mountainous. The raised plateau of the Cambrian Mountains, which has an average elevation of 610 m (2,000 ft) and extends north-south through central Wales, occupies about two thirds of the country. Other major highland areas are the Brecon Beacons in the south-east, the rugged volcanic rocks of the Snowdon massif, in the north-west, and Cader Idris, in the west. Snowdonia contains the highest peaks in Wales; Mount Snowdon (1,085 m/3,560 ft), in Snowdonia National Park, is the highest point in England and Wales.

A.

Rivers and Lakes

The River Dee, which rises in the mountains of Snowdonia National Park, to the west of Lake Bala (the largest natural lake in Wales), and flows through northern Wales into England and then the Irish Sea, is one of the country’s principal rivers. The others are the Wye and the Severn, which both begin near Aberystwyth, flow eastward into England, and then turn south to empty into the Bristol Channel. In the south, many of the rivers flow through steep valleys, including the Usk, Teifi, and Towy. The main river of the north, apart from the Dee, is the Clwyd.

B.

Plants and Animals

The flora and fauna of Wales are generally the same as those of similar parts of England. Ferns and mosses are abundant in low-lying, wet areas; grasslands and then moorlands predominate at higher elevations. About 12 per cent of Wales is covered in woodlands, mainly in the uplands, at elevations up to 305 m (1,000 ft). Species include mountain ash, oak, and various conifers; large stands of fast-growing, commercial coniferous forests have been planted in the Welsh mountains since 1945, by both private owners and the Forestry Commission, a government department. Above 305 m (1,000 ft), there are mainly species of small shrubs, coarse grasses, and alpine flora. Among the few wild animals found in Wales, but not generally found in England, are the pine marten and the polecat.

C.

Climate

Wales lies in the path of westerly winds blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean, laden with moisture. The climate, as a result, is mild and wet. The average daily temperature in July is 15.6° C (60° F), and in January it is 5.6° C (42° F). Precipitation increases with elevation, and ranges from about 762 mm (30 in) a year along parts of the coast, to more than 2,540 mm (100 in) a year in Snowdonia. Snowfalls are often heavy in the mountains and winters can be bleak.

D.

Natural Resources

Iron ore and then coal were the most valuable natural resources of Wales for almost 200 years. Iron ore deposits in the north-east and south-east were the basis of Wales’ industrialization after the 1770s. From the early 19th century the rich deposits of the South Wales coalfield, and other coal deposits in the north-east, played a dominant role in the Welsh economy. However, falling demand for coal, combined with competition from cheaper imports and policies of the Conservative government during the 1980s, undermined the industry’s markets and forced the closure of many Welsh mines. Since the 1980s further changes in government policy accelerated the pit closures, and by the late 1990s there was only a small number of mines still in production. Some high-grade anthracite is mined, but output consists principally of bituminous coal. The last deep-mine in Wales, the privately owned Tower colliery near Hirwaun, closed in 2008.

Quarrying has also been traditionally important. Slate continues to be quarried in north-western Wales. The rocks of north and mid-Wales also contain manganese, gold, lead, uranium, copper, and zinc; fireclays are also found. The soils of the Welsh uplands are of infertile rocky or leached types. The most fertile soils are in the south-east, along the coast, and in the valleys.