Welsh refers to the people, language, and culture of Wales, a country that forms the western part of the island of Great Britain. The Welsh people have their own distinct language (also called Welsh), traditions, and history that stretch back thousands of years.

The Welsh language looks and sounds quite different from English. Where English speakers might say “good morning,” Welsh speakers say bore da (pronounced roughly “bor-eh dah”). Street signs throughout Wales appear in both Welsh and English. Though most people in Wales speak English today, many also speak Welsh, and the language is taught in schools to keep this ancient Celtic tongue alive.

Wales is known for its rugged mountains, green valleys, and hundreds of castles, more per square mile than anywhere else in Europe. The Welsh flag features a red dragon, which appears in legends dating back over a thousand years. Famous Welsh people include the poet Dylan Thomas and the actors Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

When used as an adjective, Welsh describes anything from Wales: Welsh music, Welsh rugby (a sport the Welsh are passionate about), or Welsh cakes (a traditional sweet treat cooked on a griddle). The country's capital is Cardiff, and its national symbol is the leek, a plant in the onion family.