Wales Area

Wales Area Introduction Wales area spans 20779 square kilometers 8023 square miles representing 8.5 percent United Kingdom landmass roughly size New Jersey Slovenia half Netherlands nestled western Great Britain bordered England east Irish Sea north Bristol Channel south Celtic Sea southwest. Dramatic landscapes encompass three national parks Snowdonia Eryri Brecon Beacons Pembrokeshire Coast 1680 miles coastline mountains valleys farmlands population 3.1 million defining Celtic nations compact diverse geography.

All about Wales Area

Wales area physical geography predominantly upland 47 percent mountainous terrain Snowdonia northwest Cambrian Mountains central Brecon Beacons south featuring 15 peaks exceeding 3000 feet Welsh 3000s Yr Wyddfa Snowdon 1085m highest British peak outside Scotland. Coastal lowlands north Anglesey Llyn Peninsula Cardigan Bay Pembrokeshire south Gower Peninsula Vale Glamorgan golden beaches cliffs dunes estuaries inland rolling farmlands Powys largest county 5076 km² sparsely populated 26 people km² defining varied terrain supporting agriculture tourism outdoor pursuits.

National Parks Coverage

Snowdonia Eryri National Park 823 square miles 15 Welsh 3000s Snowdon massif Glyderau Carneddau Moelwynion Rhinogydd Cadair Idris glacial cirques ridges lakes Pembrokeshire Coast 870 km² coastal cliffs beaches sea stacks wildlife Brecon Beacons 519 square miles sandstone plateaus Pen y Fan 886m reservoirs dark skies representing 20 percent Wales area protected landscapes biodiversity conservation outdoor recreation defining natural heritage.

Coastline Estuaries

Wales 1680 miles coastline including Anglesey Holy Island mean high water mark Cardigan Bay largest bay Bala Lake Llyn Tegid largest lake 4.7 km² Menai Strait separating Anglesey mainland Conwy Glaslyn Dwyryd Mawddach Dyfi estuaries dunes morfa extensive beaches saltmarshes supporting crucial wildlife habitats maritime heritage defining coastal geography recreational appeal.

Land Use Distribution

Agriculture forestry occupy 1712845 hectares arable cropping 79461 hectares horticulture 1449 hectares grazing 1405156 hectares woodland 63366 hectares common rough grazing 180305 hectares defining rural economy. Urban areas concentrate southeast Cardiff Swansea Newport valleys population density Cardiff 2482 people km² Powys 26 people km² showcasing geographic economic disparities supporting farming tourism conservation across varied terrain.

Geological Formation

Caledonian Orogeny 400 million years shaped ancient sedimentary volcanic rocks Ordovician Silurian Devonian periods glacial erosion Pleistocene creating cirques U-shaped valleys hanging valleys lakes waterfalls moraines Snowdonia Cambrian Mountains Brecon Beacons distinctive upland scenery rivers Wye Severn Rheidol originating mountain headwaters defining hydrological geological character.

Regional Comparisons

Wales area 26 percent Scotland 30 percent Ireland 48 percent Denmark 50 percent Netherlands 65 percent Catalunya 68 percent Belgium 144 percent Connecticut USA 5.6 percent European Union 25 countries defining compact nation diverse landscapes mountains coast valleys farmlands supporting 3.1 million population varied economic activities cultural heritage outdoor pursuits.

Wales Area Summary

Wales 20779 km² compact diverse Celtic landscape three national parks 1680 miles coastline Snowdonia Eryri Brecon Beacons Pembrokeshire Coast mountains valleys farmlands defining natural beauty. Upland 47 percent coastal plains rivers lakes protected areas agriculture forestry showcase varied geography population 3.1 million celebrating rugged scenic compact nation heritage outdoor traditions across generations.