Counties of Wales. There are 22 local government units in Wales that we can talk about as counties. You can see these 22 local government units on the map below.
In this article we will provide information on the total area, the population and some important features of these management units.
Blaenau Gwent
The total area is 109 square kilometers. According to the population census made in 2016, the population is 69,600. The highest point is Coity Mountain with 578 meters.
Bridgend
The total area is 246 square kilometers. The population of 2016 is 143,200. The largest park in the region is Bryngarw Country Park. The Kenfig National Nature Reserve in Bridgend also offers a nice trip to the Kenfig Pool.
Caerphilly
The total area is 278 square kilometers. The population of 2016 is 180,500. When you go to Caerphilly, we recommend you to visit Caerphilly Castle, Castell Coch, Llancaiach Fawr, Ruperra Castle, and Site of old Taff Vale Shopping Center.
Cardiff
The total area is 140.3 square kilometers. The city population of 2016 is 361,468. The places you should definitely go to Cardift; Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch, St Fagans Castle and Bishop’s Palace.
If you are interested in music, we recommend that you do not miss the Cardiff Big Weekend Festival, held once a year in Cardiff, during the summer months.
Cardiff has a lot of recreational areas where you can have a pleasant time, as the nightlife is quite lively. Bute Park, Roath Park, Thompson’s Park and Victoria Park, Cardiff’s first park.
Carmarthenshire
The total area is 2,345 square kilometers and the population is 185,600. Some of the places you absolutely must see are Carreg Cennen Castle, Dinefwr, Kidwelly, Laugharne, Llansteffan and Newcastle Emlyn Castle, the National Botanic Garden of Wales, the Carmarthenshire County Museum, the National Wool Museum, the Parc Howard Museum and the Pendine Museum of Speed.
Ceredigion
The total area is 1,783 square kilometers and the population is 74,100. You must absolutely see The Cwmystwyth Mines, Devil’s Bridge, the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Center, Elvis Rock, Cors Caron, the Vale of Rheidol Railway, Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, Aberystwyth Castle and Cardigan Castle.
Conwy
The total area is 1,130 square kilometers and the population is 116,500. Places you absolutely must see are the Conwy Castle, the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, the Conwy town walls, the Welsh Mountain Zoo, the Smallest House in Great Britain and the Conwy Suspension Bridge.
Denbighshire
The total area is 844 square kilometers and the population is 94,800. Bodelwyddan Castle, Castell Dinas Brân, Rhuddlan Castle, Valle Crucis Abbey and Plays Newydd Llangollen are places you should absolutely see.
Flintshire
The total area is 438 square kilometers and the population is 154,400. Flint Castle, Hawarden Castle (medieval), Hawarden Castle (18th century), Ewloe Castle and the Flintshire Bridge are some of the places you should definitely visit here.
Gwynedd
The total area is 2,548 square kilometers and the population is 123,600. Snowdonia National Park, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Caernarfon Fortress, Llŷn Peninsula, National Slate Museum, Glynllifon are places that must be seen absolutely.
Anglesey
The total area is 714 square kilometers and the population is 69,700. Places to see absolutely, Rhosneigr, the Skerries Lighthouse, Ynys Llanddwyn – Lovers’ island, Anglesey Sea Zoo, The Church in the Sea, The Anglesey Motor Racing Circuit, King Arthur’s seat, Beaumaris Castle and Gaol, and many other beaches, Cemlyn Bay for its ternary, Malltraeth – noted center for bird life and home of wildlife artist Charles Tunnicliffe, Swtan longhouse – owned by the National Trust and managed by the local community of Porth Swtan.
Merthyr Tydfil
The total area is 111 square kilometers and the population is 59,800. It is one of the places with rich history and tourism potential.
The Taff Trail is one of the places to visit for cycling lovers and for a nice canal ride. Also, the Brecon Mountain Railway, Cyfarthfa Castle, Dare Valley Country Park, Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery and Morlais Castle are just some of the other places you should see.
Monmouthshire
Total area, 850 square kilometers. According to the population census made in 2016, the population is 92,800.
You should see the Chepstow Castle, Raglan Castle, Monmouth, Trellech, Abergavenny Castle, Wye Valley, Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons National Park, White Castle, Skenfrith Castle, Grosmont Castle, Three Castles Walk, Llanthony Priory, Usk, Usk Valley Walk, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, Marches Way, Monnow Valley Walk, Caldicot Castle, The Kymin, The Sugar Loaf.
Neath Port Talbot
Total area is 442 square kilometers. The population is 141,600. Places to see, Afan Forest Park, Margam Country Park, Aberdulais Falls, Aberavon Beach, Gnoll Country Park, Crymlyn Bog, Cefn Coed Colliery Museum.
Newport
Total area, 190 square kilometers. The population is 149,100. Places to see, The Railway station, Bus station, Castle, Westgate Hotel, Market, Museum Art Gallery and Central Library, Cathedral, Transporter Bridge, Newport Bridge St Paul’s church, and Royal (Newport Center), Newport Center, Civic Center, Shire Hall, Belle Vue Park, Rodney Parade, Newport Crown Court, Ye Olde Murenger House Gwent Hospital.
Pembrokeshire
The total area is 1,590 square kilometers. The population is 124,000. Places to visit, Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, Caldey Island, Pembroke Castle, Oakwood Theme Park, Carew Castle, Blue Lagoon Water Park, Manorbier Castle, Dinosaur Park, Picton Castle, Haverfordwest Town Museum, Milford Haven Museum, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Powys
Total area, 5,179 square kilometers. Population 132,200. Dollywyn Castle, Montgomery Castle, Powis Castle, Tretower Castle, Aberdeen Castle, Castell Du, Bronllys Castle, The Elan Valley Reservoirs, Lake Vyrnwy, Llangorse Lake, Llyn Clywedog, Pistyll y Llyn – Water-breaks-its-neck – Waterfall in Radnorshire, Waterfall Country are the places where you have to see absolutely.
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Total area, 424 square kilometers. The population is 238,300. Here are some of the places you should definitely visit here: Rhondda Heritage Park, Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery, Castell Coch, Brecon Beacons National Park, Afon Hepste, Brecon Mountain Railway, Sgwd Yr Eira Waterfall and Forest Fawr Car Park.
Swansea
Total area, 380 square kilometers. The population is 244,500. You should visit here, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay, Llangennith, the National Waterfront Museum and Swansea Museum, Dylan Thomas Center, Clyne Gardens, Singleton Park, Cwmdonkin Park, Victoria Park.
Torfaen
The total area is 126 square kilometers. The population is 92,100. Cwmbran Center, Pontypool Park, Coity Mountain, Blaenavon are places you should see here.
Vale of Glamorgan
Total area is 335 square kilometers. The population is 136,700. Places to see, Cardiff Bay, Barry Island, Barry Island Pleasure Park, Dyffryn Gardens, Barry War, Museum, Old Beaupre Castle, Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, Ogmore Castle, Dunraven Bay, Dunraven Castle.
Wrexham
Total area, 499 square kilometers. Population is 136,700. Places to see, Pontcysyllte Water Belt, Chirk Castle, St Giles Church In Wales, Wrexham County, Borough Museum & Archives, All Saints’ Church, Gresford, Moss Valley Country Park, Acton Park, Holt Castle, Wynnstay, Bellevue Park.