Swansea

Looking down from Kilvey Hill onto the city

Swansea (Abertawe in Welsh) is the second largest city in Wales. The county (also including large rural areas of the Gower Peninsula) has a population of about 250,000.

Swansea is at the mouth of the River Tawe on the south coast of Wales. Swansea Castle was founded in 1107. In the Industrial Revolution the town grew, nicknamed "Copperopolis" due to its importance in smelting copper. It was also important as a port, with its docks exporting 60% of the world's copper at its peak.

Its industrial importance led to it being targeted by the Luftwaffe during World War II. From 19-21 February 1941 Swansea was bombed in what was known as the Swansea Blitz, destroying the town centre and killing 230 people.

In 1969 Swansea was granted city status.