Glamorgan
Glamorgan is one of the thirteen historic counties of Wales. Historically, it was a conflict point between the Norman lords and the Welsh princes, with a large concentration of castles in the area. It fell under English rule in the 16th century, and its natural resources proved a valuable asset in the British Industrial Revolution, particularly its abundance of coal. Its three distinct regions are the industrial valleys, the farming Vale of Glamorgan, and the scenic Glower Peninsula. To the north lies Brecknockshire, to the east Monmouthshire, to the south the Bristol Channel, and to the west Camarthenshire and Camarthen Bay. Under the Local Government Act 1972, the county boroughs and administrative county of Glamorgan were abolished on April 1st 1974, with three new counties being established, each containing a former county borough - West Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, and South Glamorgan. In 1996 these areas were re-organised into several unitary authorities by the Local Government Act of 1994. One of the most popular sports in Glamorgan is rugby union, producing some of the oldest rugby clubs in the world. There is also the Glamorgan County Cricket Club, founded in 1888. Boxing was historically extremely popular as well, with the coal fields and iron works producing many world class boxers. Glamorgan contains many parks, museums, art galleries, and activity centres.
Glamorgan is one of the thirteen historic counties of Wales. Historically, it was a conflict point between the Norman lords and the Welsh princes, with a large concentration of castles in the area. It fell under English rule in the 16th century, and its natural resources proved a valuable asset in the British Industrial Revolution, particularly its abundance of coal. Its three distinct regions are the industrial valleys, the farming Vale of Glamorgan, and the scenic Glower Peninsula. To the north lies Brecknockshire, to the east Monmouthshire, to the south the Bristol Channel, and to the west Camarthenshire and Camarthen Bay. Under the Local Government Act 1972, the county boroughs and administrative county of Glamorgan were abolished on April 1st 1974, with three new counties being established, each containing a former county borough - West Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, and South Glamorgan. In 1996 these areas were re-organised into several unitary authorities by the Local Government Act of 1994. One of the most popular sports in Glamorgan is rugby union, producing some of the oldest rugby clubs in the world. There is also the Glamorgan County Cricket Club, founded in 1888. Boxing was historically extremely popular as well, with the coal fields and iron works producing many world class boxers. Glamorgan contains many parks, museums, art galleries, and activity centres.