Wales

Region of Wales

When people hear about the country of Wales, many people may think of the Princess of Wales, Princess Dianna. While Dianna is a wonderful person to associate a country with, Wales is much more than a title given to royalty. Also known as Cyrmu, Wales is also associated with beautiful landscapes and shore lines, mid-evil castles, and a rich culture.  Part of the United Kingdom, Wales is located on the western peninsula of the island.

The nearly three million people who live in Wales live near the major cities, in the once mining valleys, and along the coast. The population of Wales is made up of various ethnicities, including Britons, Celts, Romans and Scandinavians. Despite the melting pot of ethnicities the major language in Wales is English. However a growing number of people can speak or are learning to speak the native Welsh language.

Much like the other countries of the United Kingdom, visiting the pubs is the most popular leisure activity. With 58% of people agreeing this is the most popular activity. After that, the people of Wales enjoy sporting activities such as football (American soccer) and Rugby.  These athletes participate in the FIFA world cup, Rugby World Cup, and in the Commonwealth Games. However Wales joins Great Britain when participating in the Olympics. The people of Wales also enjoy being outside and traveling to the country or seaside. 

Ryan Giggs, Wales Soccer Star

When traveling through Wales, one will come across various geographic features, such as mountain ranges, river valleys, and seacoast. Airplanes, ferries, busses, and trains are the most common means of transportation throughout the country. If exploring the land, one should keep their eyes open for any of the 400 castles that were built during the Middle Ages.

Conwy Castle

Not only does the landscape set Wales apart, the many specific beliefs and holidays help maintain Wales’s unique culture.  The Patron Saint, Saint David plays a large role in the culture. As a result, March 1^st, St. David’s Day is the one of the most important days on the Welsh calendar. It seems fitting that St. David is so important because over 70% of the people of Wales say they are Christians. The festival Eisteddfod, which involves literature, music, and performance, is also extremely important to Welsh culture.

In terms of economy, Wales is struggling like many other countries. The unemployment is higher than the average for Britain. The employment rate of people of working age in Wales was 68.9%
(http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/economy2010/100714/?lang=en). 
Once defined by coal mining, the economy of Wales depends on agriculture, tourism, consumer electronics, automotive parts, chemicals, information technology, and other service industries. The industrial cities and ports are Newport, Cardiff, the capital, Swansea, and Tenby. Much of the wealth in Wales can be found in the southern counties, the northern part of the country is now sparsely populated.

Welcome to England

England is a wonderful place full of notorious royalty, magnificent cathedrals, breath-taking castles, picturesque gardens, and much more. England is full of individual culture and a place everyone should visit at least once in his or her lifetime.

The Buckingham Palace

Many visitors come to England for the beautiful countryside view and of course to sneak a glance at how the Royal family lives. If you are curious, like many, make sure to go see the Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, and the Clarence House when you are there. If you see the Queen, make sure to curtsy or bow your head. If you are a woman, don’t forget to wear a hat!

The Queen of England

When it comes to language, British English is used the most in England. However, in London over 250 languages are spoken. This makes London the most linguistically diverse city in the world. British English is not the same as American English or Australian English, so when you see people in the streets don’t assume “Hi mate” is the appropriate way to greet someone. A simple good morning, afternoon, or evening will do.

The White Lion Pub

When it comes to fun and leisure activity in England, a Euro Statistics survey found that most British people enjoy watching TV, socializing with peers, shopping, and playing sports. The survey found that 45% of free time was on TV watching. I am sure the Americans have similar results. If you are bored in the house and nothing interesting is on TV, a popular place to go in England is the local pub. You have a choice of over 53,000.

Cheers to that!

When it comes to the economy and job market in England, hopefully you are looking to be a director or chief executive of a successful organization, because this is where the money will be. Engineers and medical practitioners are not doing poorly either when it comes to job availability and having a steady or increased salary.

This is Money Article - November 2011

If you are between the ages of 16-24 then you might have to look to a different place to start your career. This age group is suffering the worst with one million young individuals out of work. The recession for this age group has not been as bad since 1986 and has Government officials highly concerned.

Telegraph Article - December 2011  

Hey, the economy will change, so keep your head up and your resume looking sharp. If you are an engineer or in the health field, you might as well give England a serious shot for a promising career life. Once you find a stable career, and enjoy the lifestyle of England, you can start to appreciate its individuality and beautiful characteristics.

Ta-ta for now!

Only in London

London

Consisting of the City of London and 32 boroughs, London, England is the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom. From St. Paul's Cathedral to Westminster Abbey, London is filled with historical landmarks that display the city's deeply rooted history and culture. In addition to its rich culture, London is one of the world's most economically powerful cities. With an estimated population of 7.83 million, London is also the most populated city in the United Kingdom.

Whether visiting or relocating to any part of London, England, it is important to remember just because the city resembles major American cities like New York, there are cultural differences between the two countries. While residents in both countries speak English, there is certainly a noticeable difference between American English and British English. For example, if you are looking for an elevator in London, you are looking for what Londoners call a lift. If you tell a Londoner that you like the pants they are wearing, they may become insulted, because in London the word pants refers to what Americans call underwear. In London, the word trousers refers to what American call pants. Language differences such as these are important to remember when in London.

Despite London's reputation of being a rainy city, in reality it does not actually rain every day in the city. However, the weather can change quickly, so while a day can start off sunny, it may end cloudy and rainy. Like the United States, there are four weather seasons in London. During the summer, the average temperature is about 78 degrees Fahrenheit in London, while in winter the average temperature is about 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

The London Eye (source)

While London may have memorable double-decker buses and distinct looking taxis, these two methods of transportation are not always the most common way to get around the city. London's subway system, The Underground, opened in 1863 and was the world's first system of its kind. The Underground, also known as the Tube, carries more than one billion passengers a year. With 11 lines and about 270 stations, the Tube is the easiest way to travel all around the city.

Although the current state of the economy has influenced the job market in London, the city has the highest average pay for full-time workers compared to any city in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, those under the age of 25 make up about one million of England's unemployed population. The unemployment rate for individuals in London ages 16-24 is currently 22%, the highest rate of any city in the United Kingdom.

UK v. GB