Llanelli

Llanelli, town, administrative centre of Carmarthenshire county, south-west Wales. Llanelli is a market town on the Burry inlet of Carmarthen Bay and is one of the three centres of the South Wales tinplate industry. Other industries include the manufacture of bathroom and household goods, and of beer, chemicals, plastics, rubber vehicle parts, piano and organ keyboards, and women's clothing. The aerospace industry also has a base in Llanelli.

During the 18th century, non-ferrous metal manufacture was an important industry in the town, which also served as a port for the anthracite coalfield. The town grew rapidly as a coal-shipping and lead-smelting centre until lead production was superseded by the copper industry in 1804 and by tin plate manufacturing in 1847. The development of the railways and silting of Burry Inlet reduced Llanelli’s trade, and the port was closed to shipping in 1951. Llanelli was given a royal charter in 1913. Population 44,953 (1991).