Swansea is located on the south coast of Wales, at the mouth of River Tawe.
The Normans built a castle here in the 12th century.
Swansea is situated on the beautiful Gower Penisular, UK's first designated
’area of outstanding natural beauty'. Although much of the city's architectural
heritage was destroyed in wartime bombing, the wide sandy beaches, spectacular
coastal scenery, lush parks, magnificent Maritime Quarter and medieval castles
are still there making Swansea a major holiday destination.
The county’s whole coastal landscape is beautiful. The wide sandy beaches
at Langland, Caswell and Limeslade are very popular with swimmers, whilst the
wide, calm waters of Swansea Bay attract water-sport enthusiasts. Coastal paths
connect most of the Gower bays and Swansea Bay itself, and hikers can enjoy
breathtaking views throughout the year.
As a coastal region, Swansea has a milder climate than the mountains and valleys
inland, but rain-bearing winds from the Atlantic also make it the wettest city
in Britain.
In 1306, docks were built for shipbuilding. At the end of the 18th century,
these docks were restructured to cope with the growth in the export of Welsh
coal, copper and iron ore.
Swansea was only a short journey from Cornwall, where most of Britain's copper
was mined.
In 1820 entrepreneur, Thomas Williams built a smelting works at Swansea. This
stimulated the industry and South Wales started producing as much as 90% of
Britain's copper.
Swansea is Wales' second city, and it grew to its present importance during
the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, becoming a centre of heavy industry.
However, it was not subject to the same degree of immigration as Cardiff and
the eastern valleys. Consequently, it still retains an agricultural and rural
life.
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