Wales - A Brief Guide to Welsh Counties

• Current Counties (post 1996) are in Maroon, linked, with their Welsh name in brackets
• You will normally see the words "Cyngor" (Council) and "Sir" (Shire) in front of the Welsh County Name - e.g. Cyngor Sir Penfro
• Counties created in 1974 are in Dark Blue

West Wales - 1974 to 1996

• Dyfed was created by the amalgamation of the Counties of Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire & Pembrokeshire

West Wales - Current Counties - 1996 to date

• Carmarthenshire (Sir Gâr) - formerly part of Dyfed
• Ceredigion - formerly part of Dyfed - The name was changed in 1996 from Cardiganshire
• Pembrokeshire (Sir Penfro) - formerly part of Dyfed

Mid Wales - 1974 to 1996

• Monmouthshire became part of Gwent (see: South Wales 1974 to 1996)
• Powys was created by the amalgamation of the Counties of Brecknockshire, Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire

Mid Wales - Current Counties - 1996 to date

• Monmouthshire (Sir Fynwy) was re-instated, but lost Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport & Torfaen from pre 1974 Monmouthshire
• Powys, uniquely, continued with unaltered boundaries

North West Wales - 1974 to 1996

• Gwynedd was created by the amalgamation of the Counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire & Merioneth

North West Wales - Current Counties - 1996 to date

• Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn) - formerly part of Gwynedd
• Conwy - formerly part of Gwynedd
• Gwynedd as a name remained, but lost Anglesey & Conwy from the former Gwynedd Unitary Authority

North East Wales - 1974 to 1996

• Clwyd was created by the amalgamation of the Counties of Denbighshire & Flintshire

North East Wales - Current Counties - 1996 to date

• Denbighshire (Sir Ddinbych) - formerly part of Clwyd with some boundary changes from pre 1974 Denbighshire
• Flintshire (Sir y Fflint) - formerly part of Clwyd - lost its pre 1974 unique English enclave to Wrexham
• Wrexham (Wrecsam) - formerly part of Clwyd - gained parts of pre 1974 Flintshire

South Wales - 1974 to 1996

• Gwent was created out of Monmouthshire
• Glamorgan became a Unitary authority

South Wales - Current Counties - 1996 to date

• Blaenau Gwent - formerly part of Gwent and prior to 1974, Monmouthshire
• Caerphilly (Caerffili) - formerly part of Gwent and prior to 1974, Monmouthshire
• City of Newport (Dinas Casnewydd) - formerly part of Gwent and prior to 1974, Monmouthshire
• Torfaen - formerly part of Gwent and prior to 1974, Monmouthshire
  
• Bridgend (Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr) - formerly part of Glamorgan
• Cardiff (Caerdydd) - formerly part of Glamorgan
• Merthyr Tydfil (Merthry Tudful) - formerly part of Glamorgan
• Neath Port Talbot (Castell-nedd Port Talbot) - formerly part of Glamorgan
• Rhondda Cynon Taf - formerly part of Glamorgan
• Swansea (Abertawe) - formerly part of Glamorgan
• Vale of Glamorgan (Bro Morgannwg) - formerly part of Glamorgan

Confused? Well perhaps you should be!

• Here are some maps that might help:
  • Pre 1974: Counties Map
  • 1974 - 1996: Counties Map
  • 1996 to Date: Current Counties Map