Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro)

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Is a county with a population of around 115,000 and an area of 1,590 km² located in the south west of Wales. The county town is Pembroke.

Geography

It shares a border with Carmarthenshire and its close neighbour to the north is Ceredigion (Cardiganshire). Pembrokeshire is a beautiful maritime landscape with stunning cliffs and wide views. Off the coat lie several islands with a wide range of nesting sea birds. Pembrokeshire is an area of outstanding beauty with tremendous variety. From majestic cliffs to sand dunes, from broad river estuaries to cascading streams, from gently rolling arable land to rocky outcrop - all can be seen within a few miles of each other.

Industry

Pembrokeshire is a remote and largely unspoilt and rural region with Tourism by far the major sector of industry. It boasts some of the finest beaches in Europe and the tourist infrastructure attract many visitors each year.

History

The county, founded in 1282 by order of Edward I of England, has long been split between its anglicised south, and the Welsh north. There is a great deal of archaeological material that can be seen from the Stone Age. The county has been invaded and conquered by the Irish, the Danes and once its powerful prince, Rhys ap Tewdwr, was killed in 1093. Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his son, Arnulf, swept across Wales to Pembroke.and created a strong Marcher Lordship. A line of powerful castles reaching from Roch to Tenby was supported by a string of lesser fortresses along the foothills of the Presely Hills. In addition, there were the great castles of Carew, Manorbier and Pembroke. The Normans brought large numbers of followers whose anglicising influence was such that the southern part of Pembrokeshire became known a `Little England beyond Wales'. Rhys ap Gruffydd recovered south Pembrokeshire in 1189, and Llywelyn the Great came in 1215, and Llywelyn the Last in 1277 overran the Norman lordships, but Pembroke was never re-taken.