Cardiff (county)

Cardiff city is a seaport that relied on coal exports until the mid-20th century but has since greatly declined. Now, coal is imported rather than exported, and along with grain, timber, fruit and vegetables, motor vehicles, and steel is among the main imports. Modern cargo-handling facilities are available at the Roath and Queen Alexandra docks. Industries in Cardiff include flour milling, ship repairs, and the manufacture of car components, electrical goods, paper, and cigars. Light engineering and high-tech industries are replacing heavy engineering industries. In the late 1990s the county experienced a particular growth in the multimedia, information and communications technology, and television industry sectors. The public services and administration sector are also of significant economic importance.

Evidence of the ancient settlement of the area exists at sites across the county. A number of early to middle Bronze Age burial mounds can be seen at the summit of Garth Mountain. At Caerau a Norman motte and bailey castle was built within the ringwork of an earlier hill fort dating from the Iron Age. An early Roman outpost was established in Cardiff in about ad 75. The fort was rebuilt and strengthened in the mid-3rd century to defend South Wales against invaders from Ireland. Cardiff was founded in the 11th century after the Norman conquest of Glamorgan. Robert FitzHamon subdued the area and built a castle (Cardiff Castle) within the walls of the Roman fort. A small market town developed close to the castle, and the town grew in importance as a market for the surrounding region. In the 13th century Dominican and Franciscan friaries were established in the area, known as Blackfriars and Greyfriars respectively; the foundations of Blackfriars Friary can be seen in the grounds of Cardiff Castle on the bank of the River Taff.