Wales (Welsh: Cymru pronounced /ˈkəmrɨ/) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and an elective region of the European Union. Wales is located in the west of the island of Great Britain and is bordered by England to the east, the Bristol Channel (Welsh:Môr Hafren) to the south and the Irish Sea (Môr Iwerddon) to the west and north, and also by the estuary of the River Dee (Afon Dyfrdwy) in the north-east. Wales has a population estimated at three million and is officially bilingual, with both Welsh and English having equal status. Around two-thirds of the population is located around the country's capital—and largest city since 1955—Cardiff. The flag of Wales—the Red Dragon—is one of many Welsh symbols. Saint David is the patron saint of Wales and Saint David's Day, on 1st March, is Wales' national day. There are currently attempts to create a national holiday on this day. Wales has remained distinct from the rest of the United Kingdom due to the strength of Welsh history, culture and especially the Welsh language. Machynlleth was the home of a parliament called by Owain Glyndŵr during his revolt at the start of the fifteenth century. In 1999, the National Assembly for Wales was formed, giving Wales power over healthcare, education and certain other devolved matters. From the late 18th century, some parts of Wales became heavily industrialised, playing a significant role in the industrial revolution, as it exported vast quantities of coal and steel and established a large manufacturing base which has only recently been overtaken by the tourism and service sectors—the capital Cardiff also had the largest and busiest port in the world. More recently, manufacturing emphasis has been on the electronic and technological sectors. John Dee ( July 13, 1527– 1609) was a noted English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, occultist, and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He also devoted much of his life to alchemy, divination, and Hermetic philosophy. Dee straddled the worlds of science and magic just as they were becoming distinguishable. One of the most learned men of his time, he had lectured to crowded halls at the University of Paris when still in his early twenties. John was an ardent promoter of mathematics, a respected astronomer and a leading expert in navigation, having trained many of those who would conduct England's voyages of discovery (he coined the term " British Empire"). At the same time, he immersed himself deeply in magic and Hermetic philosophy, devoting the last third of his life almost exclusively to these pursuits. For Dee, as with many of his contemporaries, these activities were not contradictory, but particular aspects of a consistent world-view. Sir Thomas Jones Woodward, OBE (born 7 June 1940), known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh pop singer. He was born in Treforest, near Cardiff, Wales. Tom Jones rose to fame in the mid-1960s, with an exuberant live act that included wearing tight breeches and billowing shirts, in an Edwardian style popular among his peers at the time. He was known for his overt sexuality, before this was as common as it has become in subsequent years. In 1963 he became the frontman for Tommy Scott and The Senators, a local beat group. Clad in black leather, he soon gained a reputation in the South Wales area of the United Kingdom, although the Senators were still unknown in London. In 1964 they laid down seven tracks with maverick Telstar producer Joe Meek, and took them to various labels in an attempt to get a record deal, with no success. The plan was to release a single, Lonely Joe / I Was A Fool, but the ever-flighty Meek refused to release the tapes. Only after It's Not Unusual became a massive hit, Meek was able to sell the tapes to Tower (USA) and Columbia (UK). The group returned to South Wales and continued to play gigs at dance halls and working men's clubs. | Do you seriously expect me to be the first Prince of Wales in history not to have a mistress? | 
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