Carmarthenshire (historic)

Known in Welsh as Sir Gaerfyrddin. A maritime County bounded N. by Cardiganshire, E. by Brecknockshire and Glamorgan, S. by the Bristol Channel and W. by Pembrokeshire. The largest County in Wales. Area 587,816 acres. Population 167,000. The surface generally is upland and mountainous. Fforest Fawr and Black Mountain extend into the E. of the County and the Cambrian Mountains into the North. The S. coast contains many fishing villages and sandy beaches. The highest point is Carmarthen Fau (2,525 feet). Principal towns are Ammanford, Burry Port, Carmarthen, Kidwelly, Llanelli, Llandeilo, and Llandovery, Sandy, St. Clears, Pendine. The main rivers are the Tywi, the Lougher (which forms the E. boundary with Glamorgan), and the Gwendraeth Fawr. The principal industries are agriculture, forestry, fishing and tourism.

Places of special interest: Carreg Cennen Castle (SM6619); Dolaucothi Gold Mines (SN6640); Kidwelly Castle (SN4007); Laugharne Castle (SN3010); National Botanic Garden of Wales (SM5216); Pembrey Country Park (SN4000). Llansteffan Castle, Talley Abbey, Dylan Thomas Boathouse, Kidwelly Industrial Museum, Museum of Speed, Pendine, National Botanic Garden of Wales, Aberglasney Garden, Brechfa Forest, WWT National Wetlands Centre - a wildfowl reserve of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Usk Reservoir, Afon Taf, Afon Cywyn, Afon Teifi, Teifi Valley Railway, Gwili Railway