Why are there so many Welsh people in Argentina?

The Welsh people first arrived in Patagonia in 1865. They had migrated to protect their native Welsh culture and language, which they considered to be threatened in their native Wales. Over the years the use of the language started to decrease and there was relatively little contact between Wales and the Chubut Valley.

How many Welsh people are in Argentina?

Nevertheless their attempt to preserve the Welsh language and culture has been a success and more than a century later it is estimated that there are up to 5,000 Welsh speakers across Argentina and in excess of 50,000 people with Welsh heritage.

When did Welsh people settle in Argentina?

The vast expanse of Argentina’s Patagonia hides a secret on its eastern coast. Y Wladfa, as its name suggests, is not your typical Argentine location – this quirky spot on the windy shores of Chubut province is actually a Welsh settlement, established in 1865. Read on for more on Argentina’s Welsh heritage.

How many Welsh people are in Patagonia?

From those first 153 settlers, today it is thought there are about 50,000 people with Welsh heritage in Patagonia, around 5,000 of whom are Welsh-speakers.

Where is Patagonia?

In the southernmost part of South America, Patagonia occupies 260,000 square miles spanning Argentina and Chile. The region is known for dramatic mountain peaks, an abundance of glaciers and an array of unique wildlife. 6.

Who persuaded the Welsh to Patagonia?

In 1875 the Argentine government granted the Welsh settlers official title to the land, and this encouraged many more people to join the colony, with more than 500 people arriving from Wales, including many from the south Wales coalfields which were undergoing a severe depression at that time.

How did the Welsh people get to Patagonia?

They reached Patagonia in a small ship named the Candelaria, and were driven by a storm into a bay which they named Porth Madryn after Jones-Parry’s estate in Wales. The town which grew near the spot where they landed is now named Puerto Madryn.

What is Patagonia Argentina known for?

In the southernmost part of South America, Patagonia occupies 260,000 square miles spanning Argentina and Chile. The region is known for dramatic mountain peaks, an abundance of glaciers and an array of unique wildlife.

What is the Welsh language project doing in Patagonia?

The Welsh Language Project continues to do its brilliant work in the region, having promoted Welsh in schools, workshops, and social activities across the Chubut Valley since 1997. Since then, a permanent teaching co-ordinator from Wales has been based in Patagonia, complemented by a network of native Argentinian Welsh speakers.

What’s happening in Patagonia and Wales?

The links between Wales and Patagonia continue to flourish. The Welsh Language Project continues to do its brilliant work in the region, having promoted Welsh in schools, workshops, and social activities across the Chubut Valley since 1997.

Should Patagonia belong to Chile or Argentina?

When Chile and Argentina divided Patagonia at the turn of the last century, they split the Andes according to its hydrography … this should all belong to Chile. For decades, Welsh language instruction had been left to retired school teachers who came to Patagonia to keep it alive on their own initiative.

How many people live in Patagonia?

The total population of Patagonia in both Argentina and Chile is about 2 million in total, with the large majority living in Argentina. Why did welsh go to Patagonia? In the early 1800’s, like in other parts of the United Kingdom, the industrial revolution began and developed helping to fuel the supply of coal, slate, iron and steel.