The coastal city of Swansea Neath - Port Talbot, Wales (in actuality, Swansea refers also to the county, and Neath Port Talbot is more properly a county borough) is part of the historic Vale of Glamorgan. It has a current population -- when all areas considered part of Swansea are added in -- of around 271,000 people, though most would say that it actually has 171,000 or so in its urban area.
It actually can be a bit confusing to figure out just what Swansea Neath-Port Talbot, Swansea or Swansea Neath really means or if there's really anything to become all that concerned about, because there are several different variations on the Welsh city, county and county borough along with the wider urban area. For sure, though; there's much to get out and see in the region.
Swansea is located along the southwestern coastline of Wales in a stretch of sandy coast. It's the second most populous city in Wales next to Cardiff and was quite a big player in the global copper industry of the 19th century. It earned the nickname 'Copperopolis' for its almost fanatic devotion to working with that particular metal.
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 Viking seaport and as a port throughout its history, the city saw much industry evolve, shipping wool and wines out of its port as well as coal in later centuries. It gained worldwide renown for its copper-working workforce and most industrial scholars would say that the 1700s and 1800s were probably the time of the city's most important prosperity.
Swansea took full advantage of that fact during the Industrial Revolution, and coal mining as well as other heavy industries were exploited to their full advantage along with its position as a thriving seaport. The 20th century was not nearly as congenial to Swansea, which basically experienced a decline throughout that time frame. These days, though, it's undergoing a nice renaissance.
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.
It actually can be a bit confusing to figure out just what Swansea Neath-Port Talbot, Swansea or Swansea Neath really means or if there's really anything to become all that concerned about, because there are several different variations on the Welsh city, county and county borough along with the wider urban area. For sure, though; there's much to get out and see in the region.
Swansea is located along the southwestern coastline of Wales in a stretch of sandy coast. It's the second most populous city in Wales next to Cardiff and was quite a big player in the global copper industry of the 19th century. It earned the nickname 'Copperopolis' for its almost fanatic devotion to working with that particular metal.
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 Viking seaport and as a port throughout its history, the city saw much industry evolve, shipping wool and wines out of its port as well as coal in later centuries. It gained worldwide renown for its copper-working workforce and most industrial scholars would say that the 1700s and 1800s were probably the time of the city's most important prosperity.
Swansea took full advantage of that fact during the Industrial Revolution, and coal mining as well as other heavy industries were exploited to their full advantage along with its position as a thriving seaport. The 20th century was not nearly as congenial to Swansea, which basically experienced a decline throughout that time frame. These days, though, it's undergoing a nice renaissance.
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.
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