Cornwall is one of my favourite places in the world. The coastline is beautiful – just loook at the photo below taken overlooking Bedruthan Steps, just north of Newquay. It is one of the places I have missed most in my four years away from the England. Cornwall is the most South-Western country in England, and it has a population of about half a million people.
Cornwall is noted for its wild moorland landscapes, its extensive and varied coastline and its mild climate. Also notable is Cornwall’s stone age and industrial archeology, especially its historic mining landscape, a world heritage site. Tourism therefore forms a significant part of the local economy; however, Cornwall is one of the poorest areas in the United Kingdom with the lowest per capita contribution to the national economy.
Cornwall is the homeland of the Cornish people and is also considered one of the six “Celtic nations” by many residents and scholars. The Cornish language is closely related to Welsh and Breton, and less so to Irish, Scots Gaelic and Manx. A study in 2000 suggested that there were around 300 people who spoke Cornish fluently. Cornish however has no legal status in the UK. The language is still taught in about twelve primary schools, and occasionally used in religious and civic ceremonies.