Carmarthenshire
Welsh Sir Gaerfyrddin
Unitary authority in south Wales; population (1996) 68,900;
area 2,390 sq km/923 sq mi. A former county, it was part of Dyfed
between 1975 and 1996. Its administrative centre is Carmarthen.
The chief rivers are the Tywi, Taf, and Teifi. On the eastern
border is the Brecon Beacons National Park.
In the east is the Black Mountain range, while in the north
is the southern spur of the Cambrian Mountains, including Mynydd
Mallaen (459 m/1,1,506 ft). Carmarthenshire is dominated by the
Vale of Tywi, but there are numerous grassy hills, mostly under
300 m/ 1,000 ft. The valleys are fertile and the hillsides afford
good pasturage. Dairy farming, stock-raising, and some woollen
milling are undertaken. The Museum of the Woollen Industry is
situated at DreFach-Felindre, 5 km /3 mi east of Newcastle Emlyn.
The home of Dylan Thomas is situated in the village of Laugharne,
6 km/3.7 mi southeast of St Clears. Along the coast are extensive
sands and marshes, and the industrial port of Llanelli is situated
in the south.
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