Gwynedd
Gwynedd [ gwɪnəð ] is one of the 22 Principal Areas of Wales. Gwynedd is also a Preserved County and a former administrative county, including as such but in addition the island of Anglesey. A Preserved county in Wales includes the responsibility of the ceremonial offices Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff. Gwynedd is also the name of an ancient kingdom in Wales.
The Kingdom of Gwynedd
From the early settlement of the region testify Megalithbauwerke as cromlechs (stone circles), such as on the Moel Ty Uchaf - and tumuli ( burial mounds ). The Romans conquered Gwynedd in the 2nd century and built in Kanovium ( Caerhun ) and Segontium ( Caernarfon ) fixtures.
Following the withdrawal of Roman Wales was divided in the 5th century into four kingdoms. The Kingdom of Gwynedd (Latin Venedotia ) was one of them, however, much larger than today. The founder was according to tradition, the Historia Brittonum ( " History of the Britons ", 9th century) of Nennius britonischer a chief named Cunedag or Cunedda to which the ruler Gwynedds traced their descent. The new kingdom stretched around the Snowdon ( Snowdonia ) and included the island of Anglesey. Seats of power, royal palaces were the Llys how the excavated Llys Rhosyr. Witnesses of Christianity are two Christian grave slabs are kept in Llanaber at Barmouth today in the Norman church of St Mary and Bodfan.
During the Norman Conquest in 1066 from the Welsh kingdoms were largely able to maintain their independence. Gwynedd succeeded at this time under Owain Gwynedd, Llywelyn the Last expand its supremacy the Great and Llywelyn. With the conquest of Wales by Edward I in 1282 Gwynedd lost its independence.
See also: Kings of Gwynedd Gwynedd and house and Llys Rhosyr
From the administrative county of County
1974 was formed from the counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire in northwest Wales, a new administrative county, which received the name Gwynedd in reference to the ancient Kingdom. Gwynedd was divided into the District Aberconwy, Arfon, Dwyfor, Meirionnydd and Anglesey.
In another administrative reform, the two-stage administrative structure was abolished in Wales. Anglesey was raised to its own Principal Area and the District of Arfon, Dwyfor Meirionnydd and the Principal Area Gwynedd was formed. The District Aberconwy the Principal Area Conwy was slammed. Today's Principal Area Gwynedd has the status of a County. Within the limits of 1974 to 1996 Gwynedd is a Preserved County today.
With 2548 km ² Gwynedd Powys is after the second largest county in Wales. This compares with a population of 118,800 (as of 2009 ) and an average population density of 47 inhabitants per square kilometer. 76.1 % of residents of Gwynedd reported in 2001, to speak or at least understand Welsh. This Gwynedd has the highest percentage of Welsh speakers.
Cyngor Gwynedd
The self-government of the territory is Cyngor Gwynedd (English: Gwynedd Council) exercised. There is a General Assembly of 75 deputies who are elected directly in as many constituencies by majority vote. Distribution of seats after the election of 3 May 2012:
- Plaid Cymru 37 seats
- Non-party 18 seats
- Llais Gwynedd 14 seats
- Labour Party 4 seats
- Liberal Democrats two seats
The General Assembly meets six times a year and sets the policy guidelines and the annual budget. There is also a cabinet of 10 members and various committees.
Geography
The mainland of Gwynedd is predominantly mountainous, with several very old mountain ranges of volcanic origin. As a result of intensive glacial forming, sharp ridges have formed. In addition, U-shaped valleys and Moränenstauseen have emerged, such as the Tall- y- Llyn on Cader Idris, which gives the mountains high mountain character. Bala Lake in the East is the largest natural body of water in Wales.
The mountain region is protected founded in 1951 Snowdonia National Park. The highest peaks are located in the Northwest. 14 peaks higher than 915 meters; the highest is with 1085 meters of Snowdon, the namesake of the national parks. He is also the highest mountain in England and Wales. From Llanberis from a mountain railway to the summit. The Cadair Idris, an elongated mountain ridge to the south, reaches a height of 892 m.
The island of Anglesey in the north has no major surveys. It can be accessed separately through the Menai Strait from the mainland by two bridges: the Menai Suspension Bridge, built in 1826 and the Britannia Railway Bridge of 1850, the small island with the town of Holyhead Holy Iceland is connected to Anglesey by Four Mile Bridge..
The lowland areas on the mainland are restricted to the coastal strip, the larger river valleys and on the Lleyn Peninsula that juts from Snodownia in a southwesterly direction into the Irish Sea. The largest river in the north Gwynedds is the Conwy. The rivers Mawddach and Glaswyn flow in the west to Cardigan Bay. The Dovey is in the south part of the border with Powys.
The sparse mountain vegetation in the Snowdonia area has two rare species of flowers, called the Snowdon Lily ( Lloydia serotina ) and the yellow flowering forest Poppy ( Meconopsis cambrica ). Among the relatively few bird species in the region include ravens, cormorants, kestrels and peregrine falcons. In wooded parts polecats and pine martens occur.
Tourism
In addition to agriculture, tourism is an important economic factor for Gwynedd. But the Snowdonia National Park, which occupies half of the county, and in which 26,000 people live, every year attracts millions of visitors. He is the third most popular national park in England and Wales. The reason for this are the many opportunities to climb to walking, fishing, or just go on tour.
A tourist center near the park, for example, Bala with its recreational facilities at Llyn Tegid ( Bala Lake in English ); Betws -y -Coed is known for its waterfalls, its wooded ravines and picturesque bridges; in Blaenau Ffestiniog, decommissioned Llechwedd Slate Caverns are to be visited; Dinas Mawddwy serves a textile mill and with Art & Craft Shops; not to forget: Dolgellau below the Cader Idris; the old place Ffestiniog Ffestiniog above the wooded valley; Llanberis and the massive Dinorwic slate quarries at the foot of Snowdon; Also, the resorts Harlech, Barmouth and Aberdovey on the Cardigan Bay.
A leading position among the tourist attractions in Gwynedd takes the Ffestiniog Railway. Founded in 1832, it is the oldest active narrow gauge railway and also the oldest surviving private railway company worldwide.
The Castles of Edward I
The Norman King Edward I pursued against Wales a consistent policy of conquest. In two campaigns in 1277 and 1282/1283 he subdued the country and defeated at the same time the Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, who had previously supported Simon V. de Montfort. With the Statute of Rhuddlan he gave the territory newly acquired a rigorous and for the people unfamiliar, system modeled on England management system.
In order to secure his domain, Edward erected in North Wales within nine years, nine new castles and had it restored or extend numerous others. The first was in 1283, the castle of Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech then followed. The last and largest Beaumaris was on the Menai Strait on the Isle of Anglesey.
The architect James St. George was a leading architect of defenses responsible for the medieval buildings that were all located near the sea. Today, the castles as well as the fortified cities, which Edward I. erected as monuments of its era, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Include