The Welsh city of Swansea Neath - Port Talbot exists as part of the historic and ancient Welsh Vale of Glamorgan. Also, Swansea more properly refers to the city and the county, with Neath Port Talbot being somewhat of a county borough. At any rate, most modern population estimates -- which add in parts of Swansea -- show that around 270,000 people live in the area.
When it comes to this particular Welsh city, it can be easy to become a bit confused about what constitutes Swansea, Swansea Neath or Swansea Neath-Port Talbot or several other variations that describe the Welsh county, wider urban area and county borough in addition to a unitary authority. What's not difficult to appreciate is that there is much to see and do around the area.
The city itself lies along Wales' southwestern coast along a stretch of fairly sandy coastline. It is also ranks behind Cardiff in Wales in terms of cities with the most population. In the 19th century, the town was known as 'Copperopolis' for the metalworking industries that held sway in the area and which made it a worldwide player in copper at one time.
There is evidence of human settlement in and around the city that can be found in all three of the major historical ages, including the Stone and Iron Ages. Also, the Romans themselves visited the region as well as the Vikings, who actually gave the town its name (Swansea is derived from the Old Norse language). It was once a thriving Viking port, as a matter of fact.
As a port, Swansea dealt greatly in various goods that reflected the eras in which it existed, including wines, wool and -- later -- coal. In the 19th century, the city was world-famous for its copper works although it processed many other metal and metal alloys than just copper itself.
Swansea made sure that it was fully involved in the progress gained during the Industrial Revolution, not only from coal mining but several other heavy industries and the work done around its port. The 20th century hit Swansea hard on several occasions and it was in a period of general decline throughout the entire time, it seems. Nowadays, the city is undergoing an extensive renaissance, though.
Port Talbot -- which is sometimes more properly known as Neath Port Talbot -- has played a close role with Swansea over the centuries. Both are part of the Vale of Glamorgan and though Swansea itself is also classed as a county, Port Talbot probably considers itself closer to Swansea in outlook than it does as its own county. Both are certainly excellent examples of Wales in all of its facets.
For accommodation in Swansea check this list of Swansea hotels.
When it comes to this particular Welsh city, it can be easy to become a bit confused about what constitutes Swansea, Swansea Neath or Swansea Neath-Port Talbot or several other variations that describe the Welsh county, wider urban area and county borough in addition to a unitary authority. What's not difficult to appreciate is that there is much to see and do around the area.
The city itself lies along Wales' southwestern coast along a stretch of fairly sandy coastline. It is also ranks behind Cardiff in Wales in terms of cities with the most population. In the 19th century, the town was known as 'Copperopolis' for the metalworking industries that held sway in the area and which made it a worldwide player in copper at one time.
There is evidence of human settlement in and around the city that can be found in all three of the major historical ages, including the Stone and Iron Ages. Also, the Romans themselves visited the region as well as the Vikings, who actually gave the town its name (Swansea is derived from the Old Norse language). It was once a thriving Viking port, as a matter of fact.
As a port, Swansea dealt greatly in various goods that reflected the eras in which it existed, including wines, wool and -- later -- coal. In the 19th century, the city was world-famous for its copper works although it processed many other metal and metal alloys than just copper itself.
Swansea made sure that it was fully involved in the progress gained during the Industrial Revolution, not only from coal mining but several other heavy industries and the work done around its port. The 20th century hit Swansea hard on several occasions and it was in a period of general decline throughout the entire time, it seems. Nowadays, the city is undergoing an extensive renaissance, though.
Port Talbot -- which is sometimes more properly known as Neath Port Talbot -- has played a close role with Swansea over the centuries. Both are part of the Vale of Glamorgan and though Swansea itself is also classed as a county, Port Talbot probably considers itself closer to Swansea in outlook than it does as its own county. Both are certainly excellent examples of Wales in all of its facets.
For accommodation in Swansea check this list of Swansea hotels.
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