About Swansea
Swansea is a county in Wales. It is bordered by Carmarthenshire to the west and south, and by Neath Port Talbot to the east. Swansea County Council is the local authority for the county. The county has a population of 241,300, making it the second most populous county in Wales after Cardiff.
The county town of Swansea is Wales' second largest city and the United Kingdom's 51st largest city. The county has a coastline on the Bristol Channel to the south. The Gower Peninsula, Swansea Bay and the Lliw uplands form part of the county's coastline.
The county is home to three National Parks: Brecon Beacons National Park, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Snowdonia National Park. The Brecon Beacons National Park covers parts of the Brecon Beacons mountain range, which includes Pen y Fan, the highest point in southern Britain. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park covers parts of the Pembrokeshire Coast, including the islands of Skomer and Grassholm, and includes the towns of Tenby and St Davids. Snowdonia National Park covers parts of Snowdonia, including Snowdon, the highest point in Wales.
Swansea is a county with a long history. The county's name derives from the Old English Sweynsæge, meaning "Sweeney's Island", referring to an island in the estuary of the River Tawe on which Swansea Castle was built. The castle was built by Henry de Beaumont, Earl of Warwick in 1130. It was besieged by Madog ap Llywelyn in 1257 during the First War of Welsh Independence, and was captured by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1263 during the Second War of Welsh Independence. It was recaptured by Edward I in 1283.
In 1485, Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, landed at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire with an army of French mercenaries and marched through Wales to defeat Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field, becoming Henry VII and founding the Tudor dynasty. Henry VII's eldest son, Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, married Catherine of Aragon at St Mary's Church in Swansea in 1501. Arthur died six months later, aged 15, and Catherine married his younger brother Henry VIII in 1509.
Swansea was created a county borough in 1835 by Letters Patent from William IV. In 1974, Swansea County Borough was merged with Glamorgan to form the county of West Glamorgan. In 1996, West Glamorgan was divided into two unitary authorities: Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.
Swansea is a diverse county with a rich history and culture. It is home to some of Wales' most iconic landmarks and attractions, including Swansea Bay, Mumbles Pier and Brecon Beacons National Park.
