About Glamorgan
Glamorgan or Glamorganshire (Welsh: Morgannwg) is one of thirteen historic counties and former administrative counties of Wales. It was previously a medieval kingdom or principality. Glamorgan has two of largest Welsh cities — Cardiff, the capital, and Swansea.
Glamorgan is most ercently represented by the three preserved counties of West Glamorgan (containing Swansea), Mid Glamorgan, and South Glamorgan (containing Cardiff).
Geography
The County of Glamorgan is bounded to the north by Brecknockshire, east by Monmouthshire, south by the Bristol Channel, and west by Carmarthenshire and Carmarthen Bay.
It is 112 Miles in Circumference, contains about 540000 Acres, 10 Hundreds, 9 Market Towns, 118 Parishes and 9644 Houses. It had formerly 25 Castles and 3 Monasteries most of which are now demolished. Its total population is around 1,220,000 with its highest point being Craig-y-llyn (600 m).
Glamorgan is the most populous and industrialised county in Wales. The northern part of the county is a mountainous area, dissected by deep narrow valleys, with urbanisation typified by ribbon development. At one time the coal industry was dominant, but now there are only two deep mines remaining, Tower Colliery at Hirwaun and the much smaller Aberpergwm Colliery at Glynneath. A third pit, Unity Mine, formerly Pentreclwydau Colliery, is currently being reopened. Despite the decline in the coal industry area remains heavily populated with light industry and the service sector now providing the economic base.
History
Initially it was founded as an independent petty kingdom named Morgannwg after a founding king called Morgan. It was at times united with the neighbouring kingdoms of Gwent and Ergyng. By virtue of its location and geography, Morgannwg was the second part of Wales, after Gwent, to be overrun by the Normans and was frequently the scene of fighting between the Marcher Lords and Welsh princes.