IntroductionWales, Welsh Cymru, western peninsula and political
division (principality) of Great Britain (2011 pop. 3,063,456),
8,016 sq mi (20,761 sq km), west of England; politically united
with England since 1536. The capital is Cardiff. Wales is
bounded by the Irish Sea (N), by the Bristol Channel (S), by the
English unitary authority of Chester West and Chester and
counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Gloucestershire (E),
and by Cardigan Bay and St. George's Channel (W). Across the
Menai Strait is the Welsh island of Anglesey. The Columbia
Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia
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articles on: British and Irish Political Geography