A few quick facts about Swansea Neath-Port Talbot shows a city that has a rich past and which resides in the Welsh Vale of Glamorgan. Over 270,000 people call the area in and around Swansea -- which is also its own county -- home. Port Talbot, or Neath Port Talbot -- is actually a county borough, though anybody living in the area really doesn't seem to mind what is placed where.
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.
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.
Being a port, Swansea dealt in various goods throughout the ages, including wool and wines and, of course, coal. Swansea also had a workforce skilled in the manufacture and use of many different metal alloys other than just copper. The 18th and 19th centuries were probably the two most prosperous time periods for this city, it must be said.
Swansea benefited in the past from activities revolving around the Industrial Revolution, including coal mining and other heavy industries as well as its favorable position as a seaport, though for much of the 20th century, the city experienced a period of decline. It has lately undergone a great deal of improvement in this new decade.
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.
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.
Being a port, Swansea dealt in various goods throughout the ages, including wool and wines and, of course, coal. Swansea also had a workforce skilled in the manufacture and use of many different metal alloys other than just copper. The 18th and 19th centuries were probably the two most prosperous time periods for this city, it must be said.
Swansea benefited in the past from activities revolving around the Industrial Revolution, including coal mining and other heavy industries as well as its favorable position as a seaport, though for much of the 20th century, the city experienced a period of decline. It has lately undergone a great deal of improvement in this new decade.
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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