Rhondda Cynon Taff
Locator map for the Welsh administrative region of Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Unitary authority in south Wales, created in 1996 from part of the former county of Mid Glamorgan.
Area
440 sq km/170 sq mi
Towns
Clydach Vale (administrative headquarters), Pontypridd
Physical
rivers Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach; highest point, Craig y Llyn (590 m/1935 ft)
Features
University of Glamorgan at Pontypridd; Rhondda Heritage Park collliery museum at Trehafod; Llancaiach Fawr Manor (1530) at Abercynon; Dare Valley Country Park at Aberdare
Industries
light industries (including paper manufacture, developing tourism and e-commerce; coal mining in severe decline
Population
(2001) 231,950
| It consists of a series of linear settlements following the two rivers, Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach. A variety of new light industries have been attracted here, and there are two major industrial estates, one at Treforest near Pontypridd and the other at Hirwaun near Aberdare. To the south is the lowland plateau, or Bro Morgannwg, a rich agricultural area of mixed farming and large villages which is traversed by the M4 motorway. This was formerly an important coal mining area. The Royal Mint is at Llantrisant. |
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