Wales (/ˈweɪlz/ ; Welsh: Cymru [ˈkəm.rɨ]. ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east, the Irish Sea to its north and west, and the Bristol Channel to its south.he governments of the United Kingdom and of Wales almost invariably define Wales as a country. The Welsh Government says: Wales is not a Principality. Although we are joined with England by land, and we are part of Great Britain, Wales is a country in its own right..