Rhondda Cynon Taff (Welsh: Rhondda Cynon Tâf)

Rhondda Cynon Taff is a county borough in Glamorgan, South Wales. Its population is around 232,000 and it covers an area of 424 km².

Geography

The district borders Merthyr Tydfil and Caerphilly to the east, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to the south, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot to the west and Powys to the north. Its main towns are Aberdare, Mountain Ash and Pontypridd.

Industry

The Rhondda was formerly the scene of heavy coal mining and industrial manufacture with much atmospheric and water pollution. These industries have now been replaced with Tourism, computer software companies and hi-tech industries and the land restored.

History

The county borough was formed on April 1, 1996 by the merger of the former districts of Cynon Valley, Rhondda and part of Taff-Ely.