Welsh Counties

Welsh Counties Introduction Welsh counties form 22 principal areas blending counties county boroughs governing 3.1 million people across diverse landscapes from Snowdonia mountains Pembrokeshire coast Brecon Beacons valleys Cardiff Bay urban vibrancy. Established 1996 Local Government Act principal areas handle education housing transport planning preserving historic identities like Gwynedd Powys Monmouthshire alongside modern cities Cardiff Swansea Newport. Bilingual administration Welsh English signage reflects cultural heritage while regional disparities north-south divide shape economic cultural identities across Celtic nation.

All about Welsh Counties

Welsh counties divide northwest Gwynedd Anglesey Conwy Denbighshire Flintshire northeast Wrexham central Powys northeast Wales west Ceredigion Carmarthenshire Pembrokeshire south Wales Bridgend Caerphilly Cardiff Merthyr Tydfil Neath Port Talbot Rhondda Cynon Taf Swansea Torfaen Vale Glamorgan southeast Newport Blaenau Gwent Monmouthshire. Principal areas unitary authorities manage local services devolved powers Senedd oversight balancing rural vastness Powys 5076 km² urban density Cardiff 362 km² reflecting geographic economic cultural diversity Celtic heritage modern governance.

North Wales Counties

Gwynedd 252799 population Snowdonia National Park Welsh language heartland 60% fluency Anglesey Ynys Môn 71230 offshore wind farms druidic heritage Conwy 115205 Llandudno Victorian seaside Snowdonia gateway Denbighshire 95445 coastal plains castles Flintshire 155749 Deeside industrial corridor Wrexham 135738 football passion historic centre defining northwest Wales Celtic heritage maritime industrial identities.

Mid Wales Powys

Powys 133318 largest 5076 km² sparsely populated 26 people/km² Brecon Beacons National Park Radnorshire hills Offas Dyke ancient borderland hay meadows biodiversity hotspots. Rural economy tourism agriculture forestry university Aberystwyth Ceredigion defining central Wales tranquility natural beauty outdoor pursuits ancient landscapes defining timeless Celtic heartland.

South Wales Valleys Cities

Cardiff 362400 capital Senedd Millennium Stadium Cardiff Bay regeneration Swansea 170000 Gower Peninsula UNESCO Biosphere Newport 130000 transatlantic port Celtic Manor golf Rhondda Cynon Taf 240400 valleys industrial heritage Merthyr Tydfil 59000 ironworks birthplace Neath Port Talbot 140000 steel port defining south Wales urban industrial cultural economic powerhouse.

West Wales Coastal Counties

Carmarthenshire 184000 castle country Dylan Thomas heritage Pembrokeshire 124000 coastal national park puffins dolphins Ceredigion 72000 Cardigan Bay whales wild swimming defining west Wales Celtic maritime rural tranquility biodiversity hotspots tourism agriculture defining timeless coastal identities.

Southeast Border Counties

Monmouthshire 52000 foodie county Wye Valley Chepstow Roman town Blaenau Gwent 66000 valleys regeneration Torfaen 91000 Cwmbran new town Vale Glamorgan 130000 Barry Island airport defining southeast Wales borderland English influences Celtic heritage food wine landscapes historic market towns.

Welsh Counties Summary

Welsh counties 22 principal areas showcase Celtic diversity Snowdonia mountains Pembrokeshire coast valleys Cardiff Bay Powys wilderness blending ancient castles industrial heritage modern cities bilingual culture rugby passion natural beauty. North mid south west southeast identities create vibrant mosaic governing local services preserving national heritage across landscapes communities defining Cymru character across generations.