1. Wales has a very strong Celtic culture. Other Celtic languages have mainly disappeared, but the Welsh language has been in daily use for centuries. It is estimated that 80 per cent of the population spoke Welsh during the first quarter of the nineteenth century. Various factors then reduced the number of Welsh speakers: many English and Irish workers moved to South Wales during the nineteenth century; people moved to the cities where less Welsh was spoken; children were punished if they spoke Welsh at school. 2. In recent years, however, there has been a revival of interest in Welsh. It is now spoken as a first language by more than 20 per cent of the population. It is used as a first language in an increasing number of schools and it is studied as a second language in all other schools in Wales. 3. Welsh is recognized as a minority language by the EU and Wales receives money to make sure its language stays alive. There are television and radio stations with Welsh-language programmes, even soaps. 4. The Welsh have been famous for their singing for centuries. On his travels around Wales in the twelfth century, Giraldus Cambrensis wrote "in a crowd of singers ... you will hear as many melodies as you see mouths". This tradition carries on today. If you go to any Welsh rugby match, you will hear supporters singing in harmony. Male-voice choirs are found throughout Wales and many Welsh people have become famous opera singers. 5. The reputation of Wales as a centre for music attracts musicians from all over the world to its various festivals: 40 countries take part in the International Music Eisteddfod each year, while the largest music festival in Wales, the National Eisteddfod, has performers from every Celtic country, including Scotland, Ireland, France and Spain. 6. Wales has not always been a part of Great Britain. Between the ninth and the eleventh century, Wales was divided into small states. In the thirteenth century, Llewelyn ap lorwerth united the country and his son was crowned the first Prince of Wales. Welsh independence didn't last long. Later that century, the English king, Edward 1, decided to conquer Wales. The Welsh surrendered and Edward I of England gave the title of Prince of Wales to his own heir, Edward II. Since then the eldest son of the English king or queen has always been given the title "The Prince of Wales" and this is why Wales is called "Principality". 7. Wales is famous for its castles. They were built by the Romans and the English to dominate the Welsh. There are so many of these medieval castles that they stretch like an iron chain across Wales. Perhaps the most impressive castle in Wales is Caerphilly. This immense fortress dating from 1268 is one of the greatest surviving castles of the medieval western world. 8. Many people go to Wales on holiday. It is famous for its mountains, which stretch from North to South Wales, its beautiful valleys and its national parks. You can go canal boating on the beautiful Llangollen Canal in the North; pony-trekking in the Snowdonia National Park; canoeing in the fast-flowing rivers and hiking in the hills. Most of its coastline is protected and has not been spoilt by tourism or industry. 16. Which parts of the text Wales correspond to the following headings? Put them into a logical order. The Prince of Wales. Wales is a centre of music. Attraction land of tourists. The Welsh language.