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Wales (Principality in the S W)

a principality in the S. W. of the island of Great Britain, which since Edward I. gives the title of Prince of Wales to the heir-apparent of the British crown; area, 7,466 square miles; pop. about 2,100,000. It is divided into 12 counties. As a whole it is very mountainous, particularly in the N., where Snowdon, the culminating point of south Britain, rises to the height of 3,571 feet; and it is intersected by beautiful valleys, traversed by numerous streams, including among others the large river Severn. It is rich in minerals, particularly coal, iron, copper, and even gold, and to these Wales owes its chief wealth.

The coal trade is most extensive, and Cardiff is the largest coal port in the world. In 1915 almost 40,000,000 tons of coal were produced in Wales. Iron, steel, and copper works are also on a large scale. Besides the mineral industries, there are considerable woolen manufactures, especially of flannel, coarse