Distinctive Landscapes in Wales

Distinctive Landscapes in Wales

Physical Characteristics

  • Wales is widely known for its mountainous terrain, particularly the Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons National Parks.
  • Wales also has a varied coastline with long sandy beaches like Rhossili Bay and dramatic cliffs at places like Marloes Sands.
  • There are numerous rivers including the River Severn and River Wye, which have formed valleys and floodplains.

Geological Aspects

  • The northern part of Wales mainly consists of ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks from the Cambrian and Ordovician periods.
  • The southern part of Wales is predominantly composed of younger sedimentary rocks from the Carboniferous period including coal, limestone, and sandstone.

Human Activities

  • Mining has been a significant industry, particularly coal and slate mining, shaping the physical landscape with quarries and spoil heaps.
  • Farming, both arable and pastoral, has influenced the landscape with fields, hedges and walls.
  • Tourism also affects the landscape with the construction of accommodations, footpaths, and attractions.

Impact of Weathering and Erosion

  • Snowdonia’s landscape is a result of glaciation during the last Ice Age with features such as aretes and corries.
  • Coastal erosion has led to features such as arches, stacks and caves at the coastline.
  • River erosion and deposition have sculpted features such as meanders, ox-bow lakes, and floodplains.

Flora and Fauna

  • The vegetation of Wales varies from upland moorland vegetation in the mountains, through deciduous woodland in the valleys, to saltmarsh and dune systems at the coast.
  • Native animals include red kites, peregrine falcons, otters and adders in the uplands, and dolphins and seals off the coast.

Key Case Studies

  • Snowdonia National Park, the largest National Park in Wales is famous for its glacially sculpted mountains and lake-filled valleys.
  • The South Wales Coalfield, where major industrial activities have left a long-lasting impact on the landscape.
  • The Pembrokeshire Coast, an excellent example of coastal processes shaping the landscape.