Wales

B

Mining

The development of the South Wales coalfield at the turn of the 19th century was initially aimed at supplying fuel to the iron-manufacturing industry, which had developed in the late 18th century based on ore deposits in the north-east. However, the construction of canals linking the iron- and coal-producing areas with the south coast, and later the coming of the railways, transformed the coal industry into a major export sector. By the 1840s coal mining had overtaken the iron industry as the most important economic sector, and it remained the mainstay of the Welsh economy for the next 100 years.

Decline first set in during the Great Depression of the 1930s, but the industry received a temporary boost during World War II. After 1945 the downward trend was inexorable. Falling demand for coal, the geological problems of the Welsh coalfields, and growing competition from cheaper producers overseas led to the closure of 115 mines between 1947 and 1966. By the early 1990s, only five mines were still operating, employing about 2,600 miners.

Mining in Wales pre-dates the advent of the coal industry, however. Slate-mining was an important sector of the economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries, and slate is still mined in Gwynedd. Granite is also mined, and there are small gold mines in mid-Wales.

C

Manufacturing

Industry in Wales began in the 18th century with the processing of Cornish tin and copper ores. The main growth, however, which began the transformation of South Wales into one of the most important industrial areas of Britain, and for a time the world, was the development of the iron ore industry from the 1770s. It initially started in the north-east. By the 1820s it had become focused round the northern rim of the South Wales coalfield, and was responsible for making 40 per cent of Great Britain’s pig iron. In the 1840s, the Dowlais Ironworks near Merthyr Tydfil, with over 5,000 employees, was the largest manufacturing concern in the world. Merthyr itself had developed over 60 years from a tiny village into the largest town in Wales, with a population of 46,000.

The industry was subsequently overtaken by coal mining in economic importance; metalworking remained a major industry through to the 1950s, but declined in importance thereafter. Nowadays, Wales accounts for about one third of steel production in Britain. There were large steelworks at Llanwern, near Newport, and at Port Talbot, but both were subject to severe job cutbacks in 2000-2001.

A variety of new industries has been established since the 1950s, and especially over the past 20 years, when the country has attracted a large number of high-tech companies. A number of these new industries have moved away from the traditional industrial areas, bringing employment to towns in the rural areas of north and mid-Wales. The country is now an important centre for electronics, information technology, automotive components, chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibres. Milford Haven is one of Britain’s leading ports, and its most important port for handling imported oil. Oil-refining has developed into an important local industry and major employer.

D

Tourism

The Welsh coast has been a favourite destination for British holidaymakers since the early 20th century, and its mountains have long attracted walkers and climbers. However, in the past 35 years tourism has developed into one of Wales’ most important economic sectors, employing about 80,000 people. An estimated 1 million annual tourist visits were made in the mid-2000s. The promotion of tourism in the country is coordinated by the Welsh Tourist Board. Its efforts are helped by the fact that about one quarter of the country has been designated as a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). As well as Snowdonia National Park, the Brecon Beacons National Park, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the country has 5 AONBs (the Lleyn Peninsula, Gower Peninsula, Clwydian Range, Anglesey, and the Wye Valley and Shropshire Hills that share countryside with England), 36 country parks, and large stretches of heritage coast. The National Botanic Garden of Wales was opened in May 2000 near Llanarthney, Carmarthenshire.

E

Energy

Wales has plentiful water resources. Reservoirs have been created in many parts of the central and north-western mountains. Hydroelectric plants have been built adjacent to some of them, but most of the water is used to supply the cities of the English Midlands. The hydroelectric power station at Llanberis, in Gwynedd, has been built inside a mountain, and is one of the largest hydroelectric power facilities in Western Europe. There are also nuclear power stations on Anglesey and the Gwynedd coast.

V

Government

Wales is governed as an integral part of the United Kingdom. Forty Welsh Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to Parliament at Westminster. At the 2005 general election the Labour Party gained 29 seats, the Liberal Democratic Party 4, the Conservative Party 3, Plaid Cymru 3, and 1 Independent. An elected Welsh Assembly also sits in Cardiff (see below). For the governmental system, see United Kingdom: Government.