MAP OF WALES
COUNTRY STATISTICS Area: 8,030 sq.miles (20,800 sq.km) Population: 2,821,000 Currency: 1 pound sterling = 100 pence Exchange Rate: not available Capital: Cardiff Main Cities: Swansea Languages: Welsh, English Religions: Protestant, Roman Catholic For economic statistics see United Kingdom.
I INTRODUCTION Neath Port Talbot (Welsh, Castell-nedd Port Talbot), county borough, southern Wales, bounded on the north by the counties of Carmarthenshire and Powys, on the east by the county borough of Rhondda, Cynon, Taff, on the south-east and south by the county borough of Bridgend, on the south by Swansea Bay, and on the west by the county of Swansea. The county borough came into existence on April 1, 1996, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1994, which changed the structure of local administration in Wales from a two-tier system of county and district councils to a single-tier system of unitary authorities. It comprises the majority of the former county of West Glamorgan, as well as all of the districts of Neath and Port Talbot in the east, centre, and south, and about half of the district of Lliw Valley in the north-west. Before 1974, when West Glamorgan was created under the local government reorganization implemented in that year, the territory covered by the county borough was part of the county of Glamorgan. Neath Port Talbot has an area of 442 sq km (171 sq mi).
II LAND AND RESOURCES Rising from sea level to 601 m (1,969 ft) at Craig y Llyn in the north-east, Neath Port Talbot consists primarily of a sandstone plateau dissected by the valleys of the rivers Afan, Dulais, Neath, and Tawe, all of which flow into Swansea Bay. The eastern part is extensively forested. To the north-east of the Vale of Neath is a deeply ravined and wooded area of steep waterfalls, contrasting strongly with the industrialized coastal area around the towns of Neath and Port Talbot.
The climate is mild. Although the coastal region is fairly dry, over the higher parts in the north the average rainfall reaches 2,400 mm (95 in). The average temperature is 5° C (41° F) in January and 17° C (63° F) in August. The interior is cooler and less sunny.
III POPULATION The population of the county borough is 140,000 (1996 estimate). About 15 per cent of the total population speaks Welsh. However, in the north-west Welsh is the first language of the majority. The main towns are Neath (population 65,900) and Port Talbot (51,400), which is the administrative centre of the unitary authority. The police authority is the South Wales Constabulary, which has its headquarters in Bridgend, in Bridgend county borough.
IV ECONOMY Although deep mining for coal has ceased, a number of small private mines still exist, and opencast mining also continues. The manufacture of steel and chemicals and oil-processing are the major industries, but vehicle-engineering, electrical products, metal fabrication, and a variety of other light industries are also of importance. Port Talbot, which is also a seaside resort and trade centre, is the site of one of the largest steel-producing complexes in Europe. Its dock facilities were opened in the 19th century, and the town rapidly developed as a coal-shipping centre. The port was enlarged in 1970 to allow the docking of large ore-carrying vessels.
V HISTORY When the Romans conquered the area around 79 AD they built a fort at Neath. However, the roots of the main settlements in the area are more recent, going back to Norman times with the founding of abbeys at Neath and Margam. Industrial growth began in the 16th century with copper- and iron-smelting. By the 19th century the area had become a world centre of metals manufacture and coal-mining. Coal was mined from shafts in every valley and in deep pits on the coastal plain. Neath, Briton Ferry, and Port Talbot became major ports and commercial centres.
VI PLACES OF INTEREST Margam Country Park, some 5 km (3 mi) south-east of Port Talbot, has an Iron Age hill-fort, the ruins of a 12th-century monastery, and an orangery which is 100 m (327 ft) long. The spectacular Aberdulais Falls are a short distance north-east of Neath. Among the museums of the area are three which focus on its long association with coal-mining: the Cefn Coed Colliery Museum near Crynant, the Welsh Miners Museum near Cymmer, and the Seven Sisters Sawmill and Museum. The remains of the 12th-century Neath Abbey are remarkably complete.copy right encarta
Port Talbot from the Air and River Photo`s
Our Guard From the Air
Running from the top we see the River Neath,with its 5kn flow on spring tides.It is a busy river with the Monkstone yacht club,sand Dredgers,and the coasters.
Next we have Aberavon beach which is safe for bathing there is also a area for surfers and jet ski users.This takes us to the River Afan which is the entrance to the docks which has reopened after closing in the early 70s. In the center of the photo is the Deep water Harbor on of the biggest in Europe,with its Bulk Carriers supplying the towns Steel works with coal and Iron ore,the South arm is over a mile long (i know i have walked it enough)
Lastly is Morfa beach or Margam sands still visible is the wreck of the Amazon which was lost here in bad weather after departing the docks with a cargo of coal which you can still come across after a gale.The beach runs to the end of our guard at the river Kenfig just out of view.
Above is the Old South Pier and the North Break water with the South Break water or Long Arm in the Distance. The Photo below is of the River Afan looking towards the Lock Gates taken from the west bank opposite the Harbor Office.
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