Wales

Wales, located to the west of England on the island of Great Britain, is celebrated for its rugged mountains, sweeping coastlines, and rich cultural heritage. The country is home to Snowdonia National Park (Eryri), the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), and over 600 castles — more per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Its capital, Cardiff, is a vibrant centre for government, sport, and culture. Welsh identity is deeply rooted in the Welsh language, music, and festivals such as the Eisteddfod.

Wales is one of the four nations of the United Kingdom and has a devolved government — the Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament — in Cardiff, which has powers over areas such as health, education, transport, and local government. Administratively, Wales is divided into 22 local authorities, covering both densely populated urban areas and extensive rural regions. From the industrial heritage of the South Wales Valleys to the scenic landscapes of Pembrokeshire and Anglesey, each area has its own distinct character.

Principal areas of Wales

The 22 local authorities in Wales are single-tier councils responsible for all local services, including education, planning, social services, and waste management. They range from large cities such as Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport to rural counties like Powys and Ceredigion.

Local Authority District (LAD) is a statistical geography used by the ONS to describe areas governed by local authorities. LADs include: Non-metropolitan districts (often called district councils); Metropolitan districts; London boroughs; Unitary authorities; Council areas in Scotland; Local government districts in Northern Ireland. In total, there are around 360+ LADs across the UK.

International Territorial Levels in Wales Region

The International Territorial Levels (ITLs) are a hierarchical system of geographic boundaries used for statistical purposes in the UK, specifically for regional data analysis and international comparisons. It has three levels: ITL1, ITL2, and ITL3, with ITL1 being the broadest level and ITL3 the most detailed.

Wales Region is one of ITL 1 areas in the UK. It is then divided ino the following ITL 2 areas (names in bold letters) and ITL 3 areas.

  • North Wales — Isle of Anglesey ⁞ Gwynedd ⁞ Conwy and Denbighshire ⁞ Flintshire and Wrexham
  • Mid and South West Wales — Mid Wales ⁞ South West Wales ⁞ Swansea ⁞ Neath Port Talbot
  • South East Wales — Central Valleys and Bridgend ⁞ Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan ⁞ Gwent Valleys ⁞ Monmouthshire and Newport
In the UK in total there are: 12 ITLs 1, 46 ITLs 2, and 182 ITLs 3. Our information about ITLs hierarchy and names is based on this ONS website: International geographies - Office for National Statistics.

Constituencies in Wales

Wales has 32 parliamentary constituencies, encompassing urban, suburban, and rural areas. These range from the capital city of Cardiff to small towns and agricultural communities in mid and north Wales. Welsh politics features a mix of UK-wide parties and those with a specific focus on Wales, including Plaid Cymru.

There are 650 constituencies in the United Kingdom. These constituencies are the areas each represented by one Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons.

Population of Wales

Wales is home to approximately 3.13 million people (mid-2022, ONS). With an area of around 20,737 square kilometres (8,006 square miles), that translates to a population density of about 151 people per km².

Wales Population Compared to UK Regions' Figures
Wales Population Compared to other UK Regions

How it compares to the rest of UK

  • Share of the population: Wales accounts for roughly 4.6% of the UK’s total population of 67.6 million.
  • Population density: At 151 people per km², it is much less crowded than England’s average of 438 people per km², giving Wales a more spacious, rural feel overall.

Region detail pages