Bangor

Bangor
Bangor is one of the smallest cities in Wales of Britain. It is a university city with a limited population of only 13,725, which does not include more than 10,000 students of the Bangor University. Almost half of the population speaks the Welsh.

The history of the city tells us about its formation, dating back to the foundation of a monastic settling on the site of Bangor Cathedral by the Celtic Saint Deiniol in the early 6th century AD. The name 'Bangor' has also been originated from the Welsh word means a kind of fenced-in enclosure.

The present day cathedral has gone through a series of changes and the building was greatly modified within the different eras. The Bishopric of Bangor is one of the oldest in Britain.

Another claim to fame is that Bangor allegedly has the longest High Street in Wales. Friars School was founded as a free grammar school in 1557, and Bangor University was founded in 1884.

Bangor is situated on the coast of north Wales, close to the Menai Strait, separating the island of Anglesey from Gwynedd. The city is mostly populated on the side of the Bangor Mountain near the estate of Maesgeirchen.

The Bangor Mountains shadow create a wonderful scene, when shadow of it occupies the High Street, Glan Adda and Hirael. There are some areas of the street, which do not receive the direct sunlight, especially from November to March some parts of the High Street do not receive the direct sunlight.

There is another ridge rising to the north of the High Street, helping in the division of the city centre from the south shore of the Menai Strait. The whole area is known as Upper Bangor.The city of Bangor has a special feature, as it offers the view of two rivers flowing through it.

The River Adda is comparatively a large river, serving the needs of the population also, it appears in the form of a watercourse which only appears above ground at its western extremities.

The River Cegin on the other hand enters Port Penrhyn at the eastern edge of the city. Port Penrhyn had been significantly important during the 19th century, which was famous as an export center of the slates at the Penrhyn Quarry.

Bangor is a known center for classical music, in all over the Britain. There are held concerts in the Powis and Prichard-Jones Halls, which forms a great part of the university's Music.

The city also offers the sights of a wonderful Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery. There are plans for a major arts center in the university area of the town. Bangor has the honor of hosting the National Eisteddfod in 1890, 1902, 1915, 1931, 1940, 1943, 1971 and 2005.

There is also established a small BBC broadcasting centre, producing a large amount of output for BBC Radio Cymru. The studios are also the main North Wales newsroom for television, radio and online services.

The light entertainment department had been shifted to the city, during the World War II and many classic programs (like ITMA) came from the same town.

Bangor is also home to two commercial radio stations, Champion 103 (and Coast 96.3, which share studio facilities on the Parc Menai industrial estate. The Beatles came to Bangor in the year of 1967.

Bangor has a great football team, named Bangor City F.C. which competes in the national Welsh Premier League. Bangor City has won numerous cups and championships, and has represented Wales in European competition on a number of occasions.

Therefore the city may be a small one, but there are some of the important things to its credit. The trip to the place would definitely be a worthwhile experience.