Anglesey (Welsh: Ynys Môn pronounced [ˌənɨ̞sˈmoːn]) is a predominantly Welsh speaking island off the northwest coast of Wales. It is connected to the mainland by two bridges spanning the Menai Strait: the original Menai Suspension Bridge (carrying the A5), designed by Thomas Telford in 1826; and the newer reconstructed Britannia Bridge (originally designed by Robert Stephenson); which carries the A55 and the North Wales Coast Railway line.
Historian and author Dr. John Davies argues that it is during the tumultuous 10th century that the Norse name for Môn, Anglesey, came into existence and was later adopted into English after Anglo-Norman occupiers arrived to conqure the island during the Norman invasions of Gwynedd.
The name Anglesey was later used in the English language as a county name which included Holy Island and other nearby small islands. Once the Welsh language was granted equal status in government with the Welsh Language Act, the representitive constituency names for the island were changed to the Welsh name of the island, Ynys Môn (UK Parliament constituency) in the UK parliament, and Ynys Môn (Assembly constituency) in the National Assembly of Wales.
With an area of 275 square miles (712 km2), Anglesey is the largest Welsh island, and the fifth largest surrounding the island of Great Britain.
Source: CIA Factbook, Wikipedia
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