Aberdare

Aberdare (Welsh: Aberdâr) is an industrial town in Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Dare (Dâr) and Cynon. The population at the 2001 census was 31,705 (ranked 13th largest in Wales). Aberdare is 4 miles (6.4 km) south west of Merthyr Tydfil, 24 miles (39 km) north west of Cardiff and 22 miles (35 km) north east of Swansea. From being, at the beginning of the 19th century, a mere village in an agricultural district, the place grew rapidly in population owing to the abundance of its coal and iron ore, and the population of the whole parish (which was only 1,486 in 1801) increased tenfold during the first half of the 19th century. It has since declined, owing to the loss of most of the...