Swansea 46394 225980978 2008-07-16T09:01:09Z 81.103.160.132 {{otherplaces}} {{Infobox Settlement |official_name = City and County of Swansea |native_name = ''Dinas a Sir Abertawe'' |established_title = |nickname = |motto = Floreat Swansea |image_skyline =‎ Swansea-panorama1.jpg |skyline_size = |image_caption = Swansea bay from [[Townhill, Swansea|Townhill]] |website = http://www.swansea.gov.uk/ |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_shield = Swansea arms.jpg |shield_link = |shield_size = 85px |image_map = WalesSwansea.png |mapsize = 200 * 225 |map_caption = Location of the city of Swansea (Light Green) within [[Wales]] (Dark Green) |subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]] |subdivision_name = [[United Kingdom]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Constituent country]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Wales]] |subdivision_type2 = [[Preserved counties of Wales|Ceremonial county]] |subdivision_name2 = [[West Glamorgan]] |subdivision_type3 = [[Historic counties of Wales|Historic county]] |subdivision_name3 = [[Glamorgan]]shire |subdivision_type4 = Admin HQ |subdivision_name4 = [[Guildhall, Swansea|Swansea Guildhall]] |leader_title = Leader of<br> [[City and County of Swansea council|Swansea Council]] |leader_name = Christopher Holley |leader_title1 = [[Welsh Assembly]] and [[UK Parliament constituency|UK Parliament Consituencies]] |leader_name1 = [[Swansea East]], [[Swansea West]], [[Gower (UK Parliament constituency)|Gower]] |leader_title2 = [[European Parliament]] |leader_name2 = [[Wales]] |leader_title3 = [[MPs elected in the UK general election, 2005|MPs]] |leader_name3 = [[Martin Caton]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]], [[Sian James (politician)|Sian James]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]], [[Alan John Williams]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] |established_title2 = [[Town charter]] |established_date2 = 1158-1184 |established_title3 = [[City status in the United Kingdom|City status]] |established_date3 = 1969 |area_total_km2 = 378<!-- ALL fields dealing with a measurements are subject to automatic unit conversion--> |area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion--> |city area_total_km2 = |area_magnitude = |area_urban_km2 = |area metro = |population_as_of = |population_total = Unitary Authority area: {{Welsh council population|POP=00NX}}, [[List of Welsh principal areas by population|Ranked {{Welsh council population|RNK=00NX}}]] ({{Welsh council population|TXT=Year}})<br />Urban area within Unitary Authority: 169,880 (2001)<br />[[Swansea Urban Area|Wider Urban Area]]: 270,506 (2001) |population_urban = |popluation city = |population_density_km2 = 601 |population_blank1_title = [[Demonym]] |population_blank1 = |population_blank2_title = [[Ethnicity]] |population_blank2 = 97.8% White<br />1.2% S. Asian<br />0.3% Afro-Caribbean<br />0.3% Chinese |timezone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] |utc_offset = 0 |timezone_DST = [[British Summer Time|BST]] |utc_offset_DST = +1 |latd= |latm= |lats= |latNS= |longd= |longm= |longs= |longEW= |elevation_m = |postal_code_type = Post codes |postal_code = [[SA postcode area|SA1-SA7]] |area_code = [[List of Wales dialling codes|01792]] |dialling_code = [[List of Wales dialling codes|01792]] |vehicle_code = |blank_name = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|ISO 3166-2]] |blank_info = GB-SWA |blank1_name = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]] |blank1_info = 00NX |blank2_name = [[British national grid reference system|OS grid reference]] |blank2_info = {{gbmappingsmall|SS6593}} |blank3_name = [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS]] 3 |blank3_info = UKL18 |footnotes_blank1_title = Police Force |footnotes_blank1 = South Wales Police |footnotes_blank2_title = Fire Service |footnotes_blank2 = South Wales Fire and Rescue Service |footnotes_blank3_title = Ambulance Serivce |footnotes_blank3 = Welsh Ambulance Service }} '''Swansea''' ({{lang-cy|Abertawe}}, "mouth of the [[River Tawe|Tawe]]") is a [[City status in the United Kingdom|city]] and [[subdivisions of Wales|county]] in [[Wales]], [[United Kingdom]]. It is in the [[Historic counties of Wales|historic county boundaries]] of [[Glamorgan]]. Situated on the [[South Wales]] coast, the county area includes the [[Gower peninsula]] and the Lliw uplands. Swansea is the third most [[List of Welsh principal areas by population|populous county]] in Wales after [[Cardiff]] and [[Rhondda Cynon Taff]]; and the second most populous city in Wales after Cardiff. According to Census 2001 data, Swansea was the 34th [[List of largest United Kingdom settlements by population|largest settlement]] in the [[United Kingdom]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/census2001/ks_ua_ew_part1.pdf |title= Census 2001: Key Statistics for urban areas in England and Wales |accessdate=2008-05-24 |publisher= [[ONS]] |date= 2004}}</ref> and the 25th largest [[List of conurbations in the United Kingdom|urban area]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/fom2005/03_FOPM_UrbanAreas.pdf |title= The UK’s major urban areas: Chapter 3 |accessdate=2008-05-24 |author= Graham Pointer |date= |work= |publisher= [[ONS]]}}</ref> Swansea grew significantly during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, becoming a centre of heavy industry. The name Swansea is often said to come from "Sweyn's Ey" ("ey" being the [[Old Norse]] word for "island"), but as there is no island at Swansea, a more likely explanation is that it comes from "Sweyn" (a corruption of the [[Viking]] name "Sven") and "sey" ("sey" being an [[Old Norse]] word that can mean "inlet"). Consequently it is pronounced Swan's-y {{IPA|[ˡswɒnzi]}}) not Swan-sea.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Glanmor Williams |title=Swansea, An Illustrated History |publisher=Christopher Davies |date=2007-07-26|isbn=0-7154-0714-7}}</ref> The name is thought to have originated in the period when the [[Viking]]s settled along the South Wales coast (Swansea is thought to have developed from a [[Viking]] trading post). The Welsh name, Aber Tawy, first appears in Welsh poems of the beginning of the 13th century.<ref name="1911Britannica" /> The founder of Swansea is believed to be the Viking King of Denmark [[Sweyn Forkbeard]] who in 1013 conquered the Anglo-Saxons of Wessex and Mercia, and who controlled a vast empire including Southern England, Denmark and Norway. The earliest known form of the modern name is ''Sweynesse'' used in Swansea's first [[charter]], which was granted sometime between 1158–1184 by William de Newburgh, 3rd [[Earl of Warwick]]. The charter gave Swansea the status of a [[borough]], granting the townsmen, called [[burgess]]es certain rights to develop the area. A second charter was granted in 1215 by [[John of England|King John]]. In this charter, the name appears as ''Sweyneshe''. The town seal which is believed to date from this period names the town as ''Sweyse''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/GLA/Swansea/Timeline.html | title=Swansea Timeline | publisher=Genuki |year=2007| accessdate=2007-07-29 | language= English}}</ref><ref name="1911Britannica">{{cite web | url=http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Swansea | title= Swansea | publisher=Classic Encyclopedia |year=2007| accessdate=2007-07-29 | language= English}}</ref> Swansea was granted [[city status in the United Kingdom|city status]] in 1969,<ref>London Gazette, issue no. 44986, [[12 December]] [[1969]]</ref> to mark [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles]]'s investiture as the [[Prince of Wales]]. The announcement was made by the prince on [[3 July]] [[1969]], during a tour of Wales.<ref>Prince announces city status for Swansea. The Times. 4 July 1969.</ref> It obtained the further right to have a [[Lord Mayor]] in 1982.<ref>London Gazette, issue no. 48932, [[25 March]] [[1982]]</ref> ==Geography== [[Image:ThreeCliffsBay.jos.500pix.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Three Cliffs Bay]]]] {{see also|List of places in Swansea}} ===Boundaries=== The "City and County of Swansea" local authority area is bordered by unitary authorities of [[Carmarthenshire]] to the north, and [[Neath Port Talbot]] to the east. Swansea is bordered by [[Swansea Bay]] to the south. ===Physical description=== [[Image:Swansea 3.93929W 51.61792N.jpg|thumb|150px|Satellite photo of Swansea]] The local government area is 378 km² (146 Sq. Miles) in size, about 2% of the area of Wales. It includes a large amount of open countryside and a central urban and suburban belt.<ref name="PhisicalDescription">{{cite web |url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=139 |title=Physical Description |publisher=City and County of Swansea |date=2006-08-21 |accessdate=2007-07-26 |language= English}}</ref> Swansea can be roughly divided into four physical areas. To the North are the Lliw uplands which are mainly open moorland reaching the foothills of the [[Black Mountain (range)|Black Mountain]]. To the west is the [[Gower peninsula]] with its rural landscape dotted with small villages. To the east is the coastal strip around [[Swansea Bay]]. Cutting though the middle from the south east to the north west is the urban and suburban zone stretching from the [[Swansea city centre]] to the towns of [[Gorseinon]] and [[Pontarddulais]].<ref name="PhisicalDescription" /> [[Image:Rhossili 06 05.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Rhossili]] Beach as seen from headland, [[Gower peninsula]]]] The most populated areas of Swansea are [[Morriston]] and [[Sketty]] and the [[Swansea city centre|city centre]]. The chief urbanised area radiates from the city centre towards the north, south and west: along the coast of Swansea Bay to [[Mumbles]]; up the Swansea Valley past [[Landore]] and Morriston to [[Clydach]]; over [[Townhill]] to [[Cwmbwrla]], [[Penlan]], [[Treboeth]] and [[Fforestfach]]; through [[Uplands, Swansea|Uplands]], [[Sketty]], [[Killay]] to [[Dunvant]]; and east of the river from [[St. Thomas, Swansea|St. Thomas]] to [[Bonymaen]], [[Llansamlet]] and [[Birchgrove]]. A second urbanised area is focused on a triangle defined by [[Gowerton]], [[Gorseinon]] and [[Loughor]] along with the satellite communities of [[Penllergaer]] and [[Pontarddulais]].<ref name="PhisicalDescription" /> About three quarters of Swansea is bordered by the sea - the [[River Loughor|Loughor Estuary]], Swansea Bay and the [[Bristol Channel]]. The two largest rivers in the region are the [[River Tawe|Tawe]] which passes the city centre and the [[River Loughor|Loughor]] which flows on the northern border with Carmarthenshire.<ref name="PhisicalDescription" /> In the local authority area, the geology is complex, providing diverse scenery. The Gower peninsula was the first area in the [[United Kingdom]] to be designated as an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]]. Excluding the urbanised area in the south eastern corner of the county, the whole of the Gower peninsula is part of an AONB.<ref name="SwanseaGeography" /> Swansea has numerous urban and country park lands<ref>{{cite web |title=Swansea - Tourist Information |publisher=iKnow Wales |url=http://www.iknow-wales.co.uk/tourist_information/cardiff_south_wales/swansea/swansea_tourist_information.htm |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref>. The region has featured regularly in the Wales in Bloom awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Wales In Bloom |publisher=Wales In Bloom |url=http://www.walesinbloom.org.uk/home-e.html |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref>. The geology of the Gower peninsula ranges from [[carboniferous limestone]] cliffs along its southern edge from Mumbles to [[Rhossili|Worm's Head]] to the salt-marshes and dune systems of the [[Loughor estuary]] to the north. The eastern, southern and western coasts of the peninsular are lined with numerous sandy beaches both wide and small, separated by steep cliffs. The [[South Wales Coalfield]] reaches the coast in the Swansea area. This had a great bearing on the development of the city of Swansea and other towns in the county like Morriston. The inland area is covered by large swathes of grassland common overlooked by [[sandstone]] [[Heath (habitat)|heath]] [[ridge]]s including the prominent [[Cefn Bryn]]. The traditional agricultural landscape consists a patchwork of fields characterised by walls, stone-faced banks and hedgerows. Valleys cut through the peninsula and contain rich [[deciduous]] [[woodland]].<ref name="SwanseaGeography">{{cite web | url=http://www.visitswanseabay.com/media/pdf/o/j/student_info_geography_1.pdf | title=Student information - Swansea geography | publisher=City and County of Swansea | year=2007 | accessdate=2007-07-26 | language= English}}</ref> Much of the county is hilly with the main area of upland being located in the council ward of [[Mawr]]. Areas of high land up to 185 metres (600 ft) range across the central section of the county and form the hills of [[Kilvey Hill|Kilvey]], [[Townhill, Swansea|Townhill]] and [[Llwynmawr]], separating the centre of Swansea from its northern suburbs. [[Cefn Bryn]], a ridge of high land, forms the backbone of the Gower peninsula. Rhossili Down, Hardings Down and Llanmadoc Hill form land features over 600ft high. The highest point of the county being [[Mynydd y Betws|Penlle'r Castell]] at 374 metres (1215 ft) on the northern border with [[Carmarthenshire]]<ref name="PhisicalDescription" />. {{Panorama simple |image = Image:Mum lslade sm.jpg |fullwidth = 1006 |fullheight = 283 |caption = Bracelet Bay, Mumbles and Swansea Bay, seen from the Mumbles Lighthouse. |height = 200 }} ===Climate=== {{Infobox climate of Swansea}} {{climate chart |Swansea |6|4|70.7 |6|4|51.9 |9|7|45.1 |11|8|49.1 |15|12|36.3 |17|14|42.2 |19|16|50.7 |18|16|50.3 |16|13|55.3 |13|11|80.8 |9|8|70.9 |8|6|71.1 |source=[http://uk.weather.com/weather/climatology/UKXX0146 uk.weather.com] & [http://weather.uk.msn.com/local.aspx?wealocations=wc:UKXX0146 MSN] |float=right }} Similar to the west of Britain, Swansea has a [[temperate]] [[climate]]. As part of a coastal region, Swansea experiences a milder [[Climate of the United Kingdom|climate]] than the mountains and valleys inland. This same location, though, leaves Swansea exposed to rain-bearing winds from the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]]: figures from the [[Met Office]] make Swansea the wettest city in Britain.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=14140027&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=soggiest-city-in-britain-pays-high-price-for-rain-name_page.html | title=Soggiest city in Britain pays high price for rain | publisher=icWales | year=2007 | accessdate=2007-07-26 | language= English}}</ref> ===Demographics=== {{Infobox population of Swansea}} The population in the unitary authority was 225,000. According to Census 2001 data, around 82% of the population were born in Wales and 13% born in England;<ref>[http://www.swansea.gov.uk/media/pdf/1/9/CCS.pdf 2001 Census Socio &#173; Economic Profile<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 13.4% were [[Welsh language|Welsh]] speakers.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=140&articleaction=print Swansea City and County: Population | title=2004 Mid Year Estimates, Population Estimates Unit, ONS. Crown Copyright. | publisher=City and County of Swansea |year=2007| accessdate=2007-07-26 | language= English}}</ref> Since 1804, Swansea experienced a continuous period of population growth up until the 1920s. The 1930s and 1940s saw a period of slight population decline. In the 1950s and 1960s the population grew and then fell in the 1970s. The population grew again in the 1980s only to fall again in the 1990s. In the 2000s, so far, Swansea is experiencing a small amount of population growth. The population of the Swansea urban area within the Unitary authority boundaries in 2001 was about 169,880. The other urban area within the Unitary Authority centered on Gorseinon had a population of 19,273 in 2001. However, the wider [[urban area]] including most of [[Swansea Bay]] has a total population of 270,506 (making it the 25th largest urban area in [[England]] and [[Wales]]).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/urbwales0704.pdf | title=News Release: Urban Areas in Wales | publisher=National Statistics Office |year=2007| accessdate=2007-07-26 | language= English}}</ref> ==History== [[Image:Oystermouth Castle.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[Oystermouth Castle]], a venue for Shakesperian performances]] {{main|History of Swansea}} {{seealso|Lower Swansea valley}} [[Archaeology]] on the Gower peninsula includes many remains from prehistoric times, passing through [[Stone Age]], [[Bronze Age]], and [[Iron Age]]. Prehistoric finds in the Swansea city area proper are rare. The [[History of Wales#Wales under the Romans|Romans]] visited the area, as did the [[Vikings]], whose name for the settlement on the river is used in English today. Following the [[Norman Conquest]], a [[Welsh Marches|marcher lordship]] was created: named [[Gower (Lordship)|Gower]], it included land around [[Swansea Bay]] as far as the Tawe, and the manor of Kilvey beyond the Tawe as well as the peninsula itself. Swansea was designated its chief town, and subsequently received one of the earlier [[Municipal charter|borough charters]] in Wales. Swansea became an important port: some [[coal]] and vast amounts of [[limestone]] (for fertiliser) were being shipped out from the town by 1550. As the [[Industrial Revolution]] reached Wales, the combination of port, local coal, and trading links with the [[West Country]], [[Cornwall]] and [[Devon]], meant that Swansea was the logical place to site [[copper]] [[smelting]] works. Smelters were operating by 1720 and proliferated. Following this, more [[coal mining|coal mines]] (everywhere from north-east Gower to [[Clyne Valley Country Park|Clyne]] to [[Llangyfelach]]) were opened and smelters (mostly along the Tawe valley) were opened and flourished. Over the next century and a half, works were established to process [[arsenic]], [[zinc]] and [[tin]] and to create [[tinplate]] and [[pottery]]. The city expanded rapidly in the 18th and 19th centuries, and was termed "Copperopolis". From the late 17th century to 1801, Swansea's population grew by 500% - the first official census indicated that with 6,099 inhabitants, Swansea had become significantly larger than [[Glamorgan|Glamorgan's]] county town, [[Cardiff]], and was the second most populous town in Wales behind [[Merthyr Tydfil]] (which had a population of 7,705). However, the census understated Swansea's true size, as much of the built-up area lay outside the contemporary boundaries of the [[borough]]; the total population was actually 10,117. Swansea's population was later overtaken by Merthyr in 1821 and by Cardiff in 1881, although in the latter year Swansea once again surpassed Merthyr.<ref>The Welsh Academy Encyclopedia of Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press 2008</ref> Much of Swansea's growth was due to migration from within and beyond Wales - in 1881 more than a third of the borough's population had been born outside Swansea and Glamorgan, and just under a quarter outside Wales.<ref>Rosser, C. and Harris, C.C. (1998) The Family and Social Change: A Study of Family and Kinship in a South Wales Town. Routledge</ref> Through the 20th century, heavy industries in the town declined, leaving the [[Lower Swansea Valley]] filled with derelict works and mounds of waste products from them. The Lower Swansea Valley Scheme (which still continues) reclaimed much of the land: the present [[Swansea Enterprise Park|Enterprise Zone]] was the result, and of the many original docks, only those outside the city continue to work as docks; North Dock is now [[Parc Tawe]] and South Dock became the [[Maritime Quarter|Marina]]. Little city centre evidence, beyond parts of the road layout, remains from medieval Swansea; its industrial importance made it the target of bombing, known as [[the Blitz]] in [[World War II]], and the centre was flattened completely. [[Image:Swansea-marina1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Swansea's [[Maritime Quarter]]]] Whilst the city itself has a long history, many of the city centre buildings are post-war as much of the original centre was destroyed by World War II bombing on the 19th, 20th and 21st of February 1941 (the 'Three Nights Blitz').<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/sites/local_history/pages/swansea_blitz.shtml |title= Swansea's Three Nights Blitz |accessdate=2008-05-24 |publisher= [[BBC]] |date= 2005-09-03}}</ref> Within the city centre, are the ruins of the [[Swansea Castle|castle]], the Marina, the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea Museum, the [[Dylan Thomas Centre]], the Environmental Centre, and the Market, which is the largest covered market in Wales.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/3148686.stm | title=Tourism joins shopping at market | publisher=BBC News | year=2003 | accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}</ref> It backs onto the Quadrant shopping centre which opened in 1978 and the adjoining St David's Centre opened in 1982. Other notable modern buildings are the BT Tower (formerly the GPO tower) built around 1970, Alexandra House built in 1976, County Hall built in 1982. Swansea Leisure Centre opened in 1977; it has undergone extensive refurbishment which retained elements of the original structure and re-opened in March 2008. Behind it stands the [[National Waterfront Museum]], opened in October 2005. On [[27 June]] [[1906]], one of the strongest [[earthquake]]s ever recorded in the UK during the twentieth century struck Swansea with a strength of 5.2 on the [[Richter Scale]]. Earthquakes in the UK very rarely cause any structural damage as most occur away from heavily populated areas, but with the earthquake centred on Swansea many taller buildings were damaged.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/latest/swansea_anniversary.htm | title=The Swansea Earthquake of 27 June 1906 | publisher=British Geological Survey |year=2007| accessdate=2007-07-26 | language= English}}</ref> ==Culture== [[Image:Brangwyn hall.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Brangwyn Hall main entrance]] {{seealso|List of cultural venues in Swansea|List of people from Swansea}} The [[Royal Institution of South Wales]] was founded in 1835 as the [[Swansea Literary and Philosophical Society]]. ===Performing arts=== [[Image:Swanseagrand.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Swansea Grand Theatre]] There are a number of theatres in the city and the surrounding areas. The [[Swansea Grand Theatre|Grand Theatre]] in the centre of the city is a Victorian theatre which celebrated its centenary in 1997 and which has a capacity of a little over a thousand people. It was opened by the celebrated opera singer [[Adelina Patti]] and was refurbished from 1983–1987. The annual programme ranges from pantomime and drama to opera and ballet. A new wing of the Grand, the Arts Wing, has a studio suitable for smaller shows, with a capacity of about 200. The [[Taliesin Arts Centre|Taliesin building]] on the university campus has a theatre, opened in 1984. Other theatres include the Dylan Thomas Theatre (formerly the Little Theatre) near the marina, and one in Penyrheol Leisure Centre near [[Gorseinon]]. In the summer, outdoor Shakespeare performances are a regular feature at [[Oystermouth Castle]], and [[Singleton Park]] is the venue for a number of parties and concerts, from dance music to outdoor [[Proms]]. Although [[Pontardawe]] is outside the city boundaries, the trip from Swansea to Pontardawe for the annual folk festival is a short one. Another folk festival is held on Gower.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/festivals_000.htm | title= The Living Tradition Festival Listing, 2007 | publisher=The Living Tradition | year=2007 | accessdate=2007-07-26 | language= English}}</ref> Standing near Victoria Park on the coast road is the [[Patti Pavilion]]; this was the Winter Garden from Adelina Patti's Craig-y-Nos estate in the upper Swansea valley, which she donated to the town in 1918. It is used as a venue for music shows and fairs. The [[Brangwyn Hall]] is a multi-use venue with events such as the graduation ceremonies for Swansea University. Every autumn, Swansea hosts a Festival of Music and the Arts, when international orchestras and soloists visit the Brangwyn Hall. The Brangwyn Hall is praised for its acoustics for recitals, orchestral pieces and chamber music alike.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/sites/swansea/pages/brangwyn.shtml | title=Brangwyn Hall & The Empire Panels | publisher=BBC | year=2006 | accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}</ref>. ===Festivals=== Swansea hosted the [[National Eisteddfod]] in 1863, 1891, 1907, 1926, 1964, 1982 and 2006. The 2006 event occupied the site of the former [[Felindre|Velindre]] tinplate works to the north of the city and featured a strikingly pink main tent. ===Welsh language=== There are many [[Welsh language|Welsh-language]] chapels and churches in the area. Welsh-medium education is a popular and growing choice for both English- and Welsh-speaking parents, leading to claims in the local press in autumn 2004 that to accommodate demand, the council planned to close an English-medium school in favour of opening a new Welsh-medium school.<ref>South Wales Evening Post, [[September 8]] [[2004]], and subsequent issues.</ref> 45% of the rural council ward [[Mawr]] speak [[Welsh language|Welsh]], as do 38% of the ward of [[Pontarddulais (electoral ward)|Pontarddulais]]. [[Clydach (electoral ward)|Clydach]], [[Kingsbridge, Swansea|Kingsbridge]] and [[Upper Loughor]] all have levels of more than 20%. By contrast, the urban [[St. Thomas, Swansea|St. Thomas]] has one of the lowest figures in Wales, at 6.4%, a figure only barely lower than [[Penderry]] and [[Townhill, Swansea|Townhill]] wards.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/download.php?id=2082.6 | title=Results of the 2001 Census of Population on the Language in Electoral Wards | publisher=Welsh Language Board |year=2007| accessdate=2007-07-26 | language= English}}</ref> ==Notable people== People from Swansea are known locally as Swansea Jacks, or just Jacks. The source of this nickname is not clear. Some attribute it to [[Swansea Jack]], the life-saving dog. Others point to Swansea's history as a port and the use of the word jack to indicate a sailor. On the literary stage, the poet [[Dylan Thomas]] is perhaps the best-known. He was born in the town and grew up at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Uplands. There is a memorial to him in the nearby [[Cwmdonkin Park]]; his take on Swansea was that it was a "ugly lovely town". In the 1930s Thomas was a key member of a group of local artists, writers and musicians known as [[The Kardomah Gang]]. Other former residents include: {| | *[[Ivor Allchurch]] *[[Keith Allen]] *[[Mary Balogh]] *[[Rob Brydon]] *[[John Charles]] *[[Mel Charles]] *[[Chris Coleman (footballer)|Chris Coleman]] *[[Robert Croft]] *[[Mervyn Davies]] *[[Russell T. Davies]] *[[Charles Fisher (poet)|Charles Fisher]] *[[Mike Gibbins]] *[[James Henry Govier]] *[[Peter Ham|Pete Ham]] *[[John Hartson]] *[[Michael Heseltine]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] *[[Ian Hislop]] *[[Swansea Jack]] a black Newfoundland dog. *[[Leighton James]] | *[[Robbie James]] *[[Alfred Janes]] *[[Andrew Jones (filmmaker)|Andrew Jones]] *[[Colin Jones (boxer)|Colin Jones]] *[[Daniel Jones (composer)|Daniel Jones]] *[[Jack Kelsey]] *[[Tony Lewis]] *[[Enzo Maccarinelli]] *[[John Maddox]] *[[Man (band)]] *[[Sean Mathias]] *[[Terry Medwin]] *[[Andy Melville]] *[[Paul Moriarty (rugby footballer)|Paul Moriarty]] *[[Richard Moriarty]] *[[William Grant Murray]] (Artist, Principal of the Swansea Art School) *[[Beau Nash]] *[[Alan Petherbridge]] MBE | *[[Dewi Zephaniah Phillips]] *[[Mal Pope]] *[[Craig Quinnell]] *[[Scott Quinnell]] *[[Ceri Richards]] *[[Dean Saunders]] *[[Harry Secombe]] *[[The Storys]] *[[Haydn Tanner]] *[[Gary Taylor]] *[[Dylan Thomas]] *[[Bonnie Tyler]] *[[Wynford Vaughan-Thomas]] *[[Vernon Watkins]] *[[Rowan Williams]] *[[Shane Williams]] *[[Terry Williams (drummer)|Terry Williams]] *[[Catherine Zeta-Jones]] *[[Princess Lilian of Sweden]] |} ==Sport== {{further|[[Swansea City A.F.C.]], [[Swansea RFC]] and [[Ospreys (rugby team)]]}} for more about Swansea's major sports clubs There are a number of sporting venues in Swansea. [[St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground|St Helen's]] is a cricket and rugby ground. It is the home of [[Swansea RFC]] and [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club]] play some matches there.<ref>{{cite web | title = Glamorgan First-Class Matches played on St Helen's, Swansea | publisher = Cricket Archive | url = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/Grounds/780_f.html | accessdate = 2006-06-27}}</ref> It was in this ground that Sir [[Garfield Sobers]] hit six sixes in one over: the first time this was achieved in a game of [[first-class cricket]]. The final ball landed on the ground past the Cricketers' pub just outside the ground.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/homes/antiques/tm_headline=two-pieces-of-welsh-sporting-history-auctioned&method=full&objectid=18102661&siteid=50082-name_page.html | title=Two pieces of Welsh sporting history auctioned | publisher=icWales.co.uk |year=2006| accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}</ref> The stadium is metres from the coast of Swansea Bay. Strong local rivalries exist between Swansea and [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff]] in football and between Swansea and [[Llanelli Scarlets|Llanelli]] in rugby. Swansea has three clubs that play in [[Welsh Football League]] - [[Garden Village F.C.|Garden Village]], Morriston Town and [[West End F.C.|West End]]. [[Image:Liberty stadium swansea.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Liberty Stadium, Swansea|Liberty Stadium]], home of [[Swansea City]] and [[Ospreys (rugby team)|The Ospreys]] ]] [[Swansea City A.F.C.]] moved from the Vetch Field to the new [[Liberty Stadium, Swansea|Liberty Stadium]] at the start of the 2005–2006 season, winning promotion to League One in their final year at their old home. The first game at the new stadium was a football friendly against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] which ended 1-1 on [[23 July]]. In 2003, [[Swansea RFC]] merged with [[Neath RFC]] to form the [[Ospreys (rugby team)|Neath-Swansea Ospreys]] rugby club. Swansea RFC remain at St Helen's in semi-professional form, but the Ospreys moved to the then-named [[Liberty Stadium, Swansea|New Stadium]] in Landore for the start of the 2005–2006 season. The final Ospreys match at St Helen's was played on the same day as the final Swans league game at the Vetch on [[30 April]] [[2005]]. Neath-Swansea rugby games used to be hotly-contested matches, such that there was some debate about whether a team incorporating both areas was possible. In fact the Neath-Swansea Ospreys seem to be the most successful club since Welsh rugby's reorganisation and came fifth in the [[Celtic League (Rugby Union)|Celtic League]] in their first year of existence and won that league in their second year. Swansea's [[rugby league]] side play seven miles out of the county in the small town of [[Ystalyfera]]. They are known as the Swansea Valley Miners but were formed as the Swansea Bulls in 2002. The [[Swansea Bowls Stadium]] opened in early 2008. The stadium will host the World Indoor Singles and Mixed Pairs Championship from 16 April to 20 April 2008. ==Religion== [[Image:St Marys Church Swansea.JPG|thumb|left|St. Mary's Church in St. Mary's Square]] [[Image:Saint Josephs Cathedral swansea.JPG|thumb|right|St. Joseph's Cathedral, Greenhill]] Swansea, like Wales in general, has seen many non-conformist religious revivals. In 1904, [[Evan Roberts (minister)|Evan Roberts]], a miner from [[Loughor]] (Llwchwr), just outside Swansea, was the leader of what has been called one of the world's greatest Protestant religious revivals. Within a few months about 100,000 people were converted. This revival in particular had a profound effect on Welsh society. The "Welsh Revival" of 1904 is acknowledged as having been an instigator of, and a major influence on the twentieth century's Pentecostal movement. One of its first overseas influences was seen in the African American church: the Azusa Street Revival, beginning 9 April 1906 at Los Angeles, USA. It has been said that 25% of the world's Christians (usually Protestant Pentecostals or Charismatics) are Christians as a direct result of the 1904 revival in Swansea. Swansea falls within the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Menevia]] The [[Holy See|see]] is based in Swansea at [[Cathedral Church of Saint Joseph|Saint Joseph's Cathedral]] in the Greenhill area. For the [[Anglican Communion|Anglican Faith]], Swansea is part of the [[Diocese of Swansea and Brecon]]. The see is based in [[Brecon Cathedral]], [[Brecon]]. ==Governance== [[Image:Swansea guildhall.jpg|thumb|right|150px|City and County of Swansea Guildhall]] ===Local government=== {{main|City and County of Swansea council}} Traditionally, '''Swansea''' refers to the ''City of Swansea'' which is the settlement around the [[River Tawe|Tawe]] estuary. Today it also refers to one of the [[Subdivisions of Wales]] under the name of the 'City and County of Swansea' ([[Welsh language|Welsh]]: ''Dinas a Sir Abertawe'').<ref name="footnote_2">see [http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1 Swansea City and County] and [http://www.archivesnetworkwales.info/ncarules/rules3.htm National Council on Archives: Rules for the Construction of place names]</ref> Swansea was once a staunch [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] stronghold. Up until 2004, they had overrall control of Swansea for 24 years.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3806811.stm | title=Council leader resigns after defeat | publisher=BBC News | year=2004 | accessdate=2007-07-29 | language= English}}</ref> The [[Liberal Democrats]] are the largest group in the administration that took control of Swansea Council in the 2004 local elections. For 2007/2008, the [[Lord Mayor]] of Swansea is councillor Susan Waller. ===Welsh politics=== The [[National Assembly for Wales|National Assembly]] constituencies are: *[[Gower (National Assembly for Wales constituency)|Gower]], current AM is [[Edwina Hart]], [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] since 1999 *[[Swansea East (National Assembly for Wales constituency)|Swansea East]], current AM is [[Valerie Lloyd (Welsh politician)|Val Lloyd]], [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] since 2001 *[[Swansea West (National Assembly for Wales constituency)|Swansea West]], current AM is [[Andrew Davies (Welsh politician)|Andrew Davies]], [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] since 1999 The city is also part of the [[South Wales West (National Assembly for Wales electoral region)|South Wales West regional constituency]] and is served by [[Peter Black (Welsh politician)|Peter Black AM]], [[Alun Cairns|Alun Cairns AM]], [[David Lloyd (Welsh politician)|Dai Lloyd AM]] and [[Bethan Jenkins|Bethan Jenkins AM]]. ===UK politics=== The [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK parliamentary]] constituencies in Swansea are: *[[Gower (UK Parliament constituency)|Gower]], current MP is [[Martin Caton]], [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] since 1997 *[[Swansea East (UK Parliament constituency)|Swansea East]], current MP is [[Sian James (politician)|Sian James]], [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] since 2005 *[[Swansea West (UK Parliament constituency)|Swansea West]], current MP is [[Alan Williams]], [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] since 1964 (the MP with the longest continuous service - 43 years as of 2007) ===International links=== The City & County of Swansea is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with: *{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Mannheim]], [[Germany]] *{{flagicon|France}} [[Pau, France|Pau]], [[France]] *{{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Cork (city)|Cork]], [[Republic of Ireland]] Connections with: *{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Ferrara]], [[Italy]] *{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Århus]], [[Denmark]] Friendship link with: *{{flagicon|China}} [[Nantong]], [[People's Republic of China]] *{{flagicon|United States}} [[New York City]], [[United States|USA]] *{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]] ==Future plans== Swansea City Centre is undergoing a transformation until 2015. £1 Billion are to be spent on improvements. A large area of the city is earmarked to be redeveloped with companies planning a new area of the city centre which would involve the demolition of the dilapidated St Davids shopping centre which has three or four traders, about 13% of the retail space in the centre and the Quadrant Shopping Centre. The result of this and the relocation of the Tesco Superstore near to the city's Sainsbury's store in Parc Tawe would mean that the new Centre would be almost four times the size of the Quadrant Centre. The city centre is also being brightened up with street art and new walkways along with the first phase of the David Evans - Castle Street development. Green spaces are also being added along with the further addition of Quadrant Square and Grand Theatre Square which are planned. Redevopment of the Oxford Street car park and Lower Oxford Street arcades are also planned.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=13786 | title=City Centre Strategic Framework | publisher=City and County of Swansea |year=2007| accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}</ref> At the sea front, [[Marina Tower|Meridian Quay]] is now Wales's tallest building at a height of over 80 metres; upon completion in 2009 it is planned to be 107 metres in height. It is still under construction adjacent [[Swansea Marina]]. <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.skyscrapernews.net/news.php?ref=641 |title= Work Begins On Wales Tallest |accessdate=2008-05-24 |publisher= Skyscrapernews.com |date= 2006-06-26}}</ref> ==Economy== [[Image:Technium from sainsbury.JPG|thumb|right|150px|The Technium centre, one of the first of the new buildings built as part of the SA1 development scheme at [[Swansea Docks]]]] {{main|Economy of Swansea}} Swansea originally developed as centre for [[metals]] and [[mining]], especially the [[copper]] industry, from the beginning of the 18th century. The industry reached its apogee in the 1880s, when 60% of the copper ores imported to Britain were smelted in the [[Lower Swansea valley]]. However, by the end of the [[Second World War]] these heavy industries were in decline, and over the post-war decades Swansea shared in the general trend towards a [[post-industrial]], [[service sector]] economy. Today, the most important economic sectors in Swansea are [[public administration]], [[education]] and [[healthcare|health]]; [[distribution]], [[hotels]] and [[restaurants]]; and [[banking]], [[finance]] and [[insurance]]. Much large scale [[private sector]] economic activity in the city consists of either [[manufacturing]], [[call centres]] or other commercial [[back office]] functions including [[outsourcing]]. In addition to being a holiday resort, Swansea is also a commercial centre, and the recently regenerated dock areas are home to some cutting-edge hi-tech industries. One of the best-known employers in Swansea is the [[Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency]]. Relative to the UK as a whole, Swansea (and Wales) lacks high quality [[professional]] and [[management|managerial]] jobs in the private sector, reflecting a phenomenon often described as a 'branch factory' economy where companies locate [[Manufacturing|production]] or [[service delivery]] facilities in one area while placing [[head office]] functions elsewhere. However, while average [[earnings]] in Swansea are below the Welsh and UK figures, this does not necessarily reflect a gap in [[living standards]] since the [[cost of living]] varies geographically. ==Education== [[Image:Swansea Observatory.JPG|thumb|right|150px|The [[Swansea observatory]]]] [[Swansea University]] has a campus in [[Singleton Park]] overlooking Swansea Bay. Its engineering department is recognised as a centre of excellence with pioneering work on computational techniques for solving engineering design problems.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wda.co.uk/index.cfm/technium_sustainable_technologies/academic_expertise/en6579 | title=Academic Expertise | publisher=WDA |year=2007| accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}; {{cite web | url=http://www.swan.ac.uk/engineering/Research/CivilandComputationalEngineeringCentre/KnowledgeTransfer/ | title=Knowledge Transfer from the Civil and Computational Engineering Centre and''' Future Interaction Technologies'''| publisher=Swansea University |year=2007| accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}</ref> The Department of Physics is renowned for its research achievements at the frontiers of Theoretical Physics, particularly in the areas of Elementary Particle Physics and String Theory. And many other departments such as [[History]] and [[German language|German]] were awarded an "Excellent" in the last inspection. The university was awarded the Times Higher Education Supplement Award for the UK's "best student experience" in 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thes.co.uk/Awards/2005/ | title=Award winners announced! | publisher=The Times Higher Education Supplement |year=2005| accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}</ref> Other establishments for further and higher education in the city include [[Swansea Metropolitan University]] and [[Swansea College]], with [[Gorseinon College]] seven miles outside the city. Swansea Metropolitan University (formerly Swansea Institute of Higher Education) is particularly well-known for its Architectural Glass department; stained glass being a long time speciality. In the local authority area, there is one nursery school; six infant schools and five junior schools. There are 77 primary schools, nine of which are Welsh-Medium, and six of which are voluntary aided. There are 15 comprehensive schools under the remit of the local education authority, of which two are Welsh-[[Medium of instruction|medium]]. In addition, there are six special schools.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/media/pdf/4/d/School_List_2006-2007.pdf | title=List of Schools 2006/2007 | publisher=City and County of Swansea |year=2006| accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}</ref> The oldest school in Swansea is [[Bishop Gore School]]. The largest comprehensive school in Swansea is the [[Olchfa School]]. There is one Roman Catholic comprehensive school in the county - [[Bishop Vaughan Catholic Comprehensive School]]. The Welsh medium schools are [[Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Gŵyr]] and [[Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe]]. Independent schools in Swansea include [[Ffynone House School]], Oakleigh House School and Craig-y-Nos School. ==Local media== The local newspaper is the [[South Wales Evening Post]]. There is also a local free newspaper called the [[Swansea Herald]], along with the local ''papur bro'' (Welsh-language newspaper) called ''Wilia''. Swansea is served by three local radio stations, [[96.4 FM The Wave|The Wave]] on 96.4 FM, [[Swansea Sound]] on 1170 AM and [[Swansea Bay Radio]] on 102.1 FM. Swansea University also run its own radio station, [[Xtreme Radio]], on 1431 AM. The area is also covered by the two [[South Wales]] regional station - [[Real Radio]] on 106.0 FM and [[Nation Radio|Nation]] on 107.3 FM, as well as by the national services - [[BBC Radio Wales]] on 93.9 FM and Welsh language service [[BBC Radio Cymru]] on 104.2 FM. Swansea is one of the few regions in Wales with reasonable [[digital radio]] coverage,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/foi/docs/governance_of_the_bbc/Govenors_Advisory_Bodies/BCW_meeting_summaries_Dec_2005.htm | title=Minutes of the Meetings Held at Broadcasting House, Llandaff, Friday 9 December 2005 | publisher=BBC |year=2004 | accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}</ref> and this was improved further in January 2005 with the launch of the Swansea [[Digital audio broadcasting|DAB]] multiplex, which carries seven services including The Wave, Swansea Sound, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. The regional services Real Radio and Xfm South Wales are available digitally in the area via the [[MXR Severn Estuary]] multiplex. Digital radio is also broadcast via the Astra Satellite<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lyngsat.com/astra2a.html |title= Astra 2A at 28.2°E |accessdate=2008-05-24 |publisher= Lyngsat |date= }}</ref> and terrestrial freeview Radio Wales and others can be received this way. Swansea is primarily served terrestrially by the [[Kilvey Hill]] transmitter, which provides digital terrestrial TV and DAB as well as analogue radio and TV. It is also in the catchment area of the [[Wenvoe transmitting station|Wenvoe]] transmitter (based in the [[Vale of Glamorgan]]) and the [[Carmel transmitting station|Carmel]] transmitter in [[Carmarthenshire]]. Swansea plays host to the BeyondTV Film Festival. [[BeyondTV]] is annual event organised by [[independent film]]makers Undercurrents to showcase the best of activism filmmakers. Independent filmmakers [[Undercurrents (news)|Undercurrents]] and Studio8 are based in Swansea. Swansea has lately also been host to the annual Swansea Bay Film Festival and past winning directors have included Gareth Evans, Anthony James, [[Alun D Pughe]] and [[Andrew Jones (filmmaker)]]. Swansea has been used as a filming location for the film [[Twin Town]] and the TV serials [[Mine All Mine]] and [[Doctor Who]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid=14669189&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=ex-doctor-who-baker--may-return-as-villain--name_page.html |title= Ex-Doctor 'may return as villain' |accessdate=2008-05-24 |author= Robin Turner |date= 2004-09-22 |work= |publisher=icWales.co.uk}}</ref> ==Public Services== Swansea is policed by the [[South Wales Police]]. Their regional headquarters for the Swansea area is Cockett Police station. Ambulance services are provided by the [[Wales Ambulance Service]], and Fire services provided by the [[Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service]]. [[Swansea Airport]] is one of 3 Wales Air Ambulance bases in Wales along with [[Welshpool Airport|Welshpool]] and [[Caernarfon Airport|Caernarfon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Introduction to the Air Ambulances in Wales |publisher=Wales Air Ambulance |url=http://www.walesairambulance.com/index.php?p=information &sp=introduction |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> Local public healthcare services are operated by [[Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust]] who operate two hospitals in Swansea with [[Emergency department|Accident and Emergency]] services: [[Singleton Hospital]] and [[Morriston Hospital]]. [[Waste management]] services are coordinated by the local council which deals with refuse collection and recycling, and operate 5 [[civic amenity site]]s. The [[electricity]] [[Distribution Network Operator|distribution network operator]] supplying Swansea is [[Western Power Distribution]]. [[Welsh Water]] provides [[drinking water]] supply and [[wastewater]] services to Swansea. There is a water treatment works at [[Crymlyn Burrows]]. Reservoirs which supply Swansea include the [[Cray reservoir]] and the Lliw Reservoirs, which are operated by Welsh Water. ==Public order== [[Image:Swansea-panorama1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|View of [[Swansea Bay]] from the Townhill. The [[Mumbles]] can be seen in the distance. The [[Uplands, Swansea|Uplands]] suburb can be seen in the foreground.]] There was a high rate of car crime during the 1990s. The BBC has described Swansea as a "black spot for car crime",<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/in_depth/uk/2002/cracking_crime/2262344.stm | title=Police 'not soft' on car crime | publisher=BBC News |year=2002| accessdate=2007-07-26 | language= English}}</ref> for example. However, over the past few years, there seems to have been a decline in car crime, possibly due to national media awareness or economic trends. Car crime is a central theme in the film [[Twin Town]], which is set in and around Swansea. The football violence that Swansea experienced during the 1970s-1990s has considerably reduced, the only major clashes occurring between Swansea City supporters and Cardiff City supporters. Many matches between these sides have ended in violence in both Swansea and Cardiff. These two clubs have a long history of intense rivalry,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://website.lineone.net/~view_from_the_terrace/britsce.html | title=British Hooligan Scene | publisher=view from the terrace |year=1997| accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}</ref> being described in the media as ''tribal''. Swansea is also experiencing a growing drug problem, with teenage heroin use on the rise.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6217130.stm | title=Young 'turning to cheaper heroin' | publisher=BBC News |year=2006| accessdate=2007-07-26 | language= English}}</ref> ==Transport== {{seealso|Transport in Wales|History of Swansea|Wikitravel:Swansea}} The [[M4 motorway]] crosses though Swansea (junctions 44 to 47 inclusive). The [[A48 road|A48]], formerly a trunk road, passes through the north of the city centre, through Llansamlet and past Morriston. [[Park and Ride]] services are operated from car parks at [[Landore]], [[Crymlyn Burrows#Fabian Way|Fabian Way]] and [[Fforestfach]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Park and Ride |publisher=City and County of Swansea council |date=2008-04-02 |url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=22673 |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> During busy periods of the year, additional Park and Ride services are operated from the [[Brynmill]] recreation ground. Bus routes within Swansea are predominately by [[First Cymru|First]] and [[Veolia Transport Cymru]] with most originating from [[Quadrant bus station|Swansea Bus Station]]. [[Veolia Transport Cymru]] operates the rural services around the Gower peninsula and the Lliw Valley branded Gower Explorer and Lliw Link respectively. [[First Cymru|First]], however, intends to introduce a service of 37-seater<ref>[http://www.wright-group.co.uk/site/default.asp?CATID=32 The Wright Group<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> hybrid buses on one set route between [[Morriston Hospital]] and the [[Civic Centre, Swansea|Civic Centre]], which will supposedly speed up journeys and minimise delays by having passengers pay for their tickets at bus stops before boarding. [[First Cymru|First]] operates a shuttle bus (Service 100) to [[Cardiff central bus station|Cardiff Central bus station]] calling at [[Bridgend Designer Outlet]]. Swansea is on the X40 [[Cardiff]] to [[Aberystwyth]] [[TrawsCambria]] bus route connecting the west and south of Wales. [[National Express]] serves Swansea operating eastbound to [[Heathrow Airport]], [[Gatwick Airport]], [[London]], [[Birmingham]], [[Cardiff]] and [[Bristol]], and westbound to [[Llanelli]], [[Carmarthen]] and [[Haverfordwest]]. There are four dedicated cycle routes in the county area: *[[Swansea Bay]]: The [[Maritime Quarter]] to the Knab Rock near the [[Mumbles Pier]]. *[[Clyne Valley Country Park]]: [[Blackpill]] to [[Gowerton]] forming part of [[National Cycle Network|National Cycle Route]] 4. *Along the east bank of the [[River Tawe]] forming the start of [[NCR 43|National Cycle Route 43]], which continues northwards to [[Builth Wells]]. *Adjacent to the [[Crymlyn Burrows#Fabian Way|Fabian Way]]: Forming part of [[NCR 4|National Cycle Route 4]] and extending as the [[Celtic Trail]] to [[Chepstow]] and (eventually) [[London]]. A new bridge was completed in November 2007 over the Fabian Way. It provides a new express bus-only lane incorporating a shared-use pedestrian and cycle way. The bus lane serves the Fabian Way Park and Ride facility. [[Image:Swansea-highst-railway.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Swansea railway station]]]] [[Swansea railway station]], is located 10 minutes from [[Quadrant bus station|Swansea Bus Station]] by foot. Services calling at Swansea operate to [[Llanelli]], [[Carmarthen]], [[Milford Haven]] and [[Haverfordwest]], [[Shrewsbury]] to the north, and [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff Central]] (for connections to England and beyond), [[Newport High Street railway station|Newport High Street]] and [[London Paddington]] to the east. There are also stations in [[Gowerton railway station|Gowerton]], [[Llansamlet railway station|Llansamlet]] and in [[Pontarddulais railway station|Pontarddulais]] which are served by [[Arriva Trains Wales]]. [[Swansea Airport]] is a minor airport situated in the [[Gower peninsula|Gower]] providing recreational flights only. Further development of the airport is strongly resisted by the local communities and environmental groups.<ref>{{cite web |title=Swansea Airport No Expansion |publisher=WildlifeWebSite.com |url=http://www.wildlifewebsite.com/sane/ |accessdate=2008-07-03}}</ref> Swansea is served by [[Cardiff International Airport]], 44 miles east, in the [[Vale of Glamorgan]], which provides scheduled domestic and international flights. It is approximately 40 minutes away by road or 70 minutes by rail. [[Pembrey Airport]], 17 miles to the west offers charter flights to a few [[Europe]]an destinations. [[Swansea Marina]] to the south of the city centre has berths for 410 leisure boats.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marina expansion plans get underway |publisher=City and County of Swansea |url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=11399 |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> An addition 200 berths for leisure boats are located near the mouth of the River Tawe.<ref>{{cite web |title=Swansea Marina: Development Projects |publisher=City and County of Swansea |url=http://www.swanseamarina.org.uk/index.cfm?Articleid=9516 |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> Further leisure boating berths are being constructed at the Prince of Wales Dock in the [[Swansea Docks]] complex. The Swansea Docks complex is owned and operated by Associated British Ports and is used to handle a range of cargo ranging from agribulks and coal to timber and steel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Port of Swansea |publisher=Associated British Ports |url=http://www.abports.co.uk/custinfo/ports/swansea.htm |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> Swansea Docks consists of three floating docks and a ferry terminal. ===Mumbles railway and tram=== The [[Swansea and Mumbles Railway]] was built in 1804 to move limestone from the quarries of Mumbles to Swansea and to the markets beyond. It carried the world's first fare-paying railroad passengers on the day the British Parliament abolished the transportation of slaves from Africa. It later moved from horse power to steam locomotion, and finally converting to electric trams, before closing in January 1960, in favour of motor buses. [2]. At the time of the railway's decommissioning, it had been the world's longest serving railway and it still holds the record for the highest number of forms of traction of any railway in the world - horse-drawn, sail power, steam power, electric power, diesel and petrol. There are some groups trying to bring trams back to Swansea one example is Trams4Swansea.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.robspeht.net/trams4swansea.htm |title= Trams4Swansea |accessdate=2008-05-24 |author= Rob Speht |date= 2007-09-03 |work= |publisher=Rob Speht}}</ref> ==Leisure and tourism== [[Image:SwanseaMarina.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Another shot of the marina from Trawler Road]] The beaches at Langland, Caswell and Limeslade are used by swimmers and tourists with children, whereas [[Swansea Bay]] tends to attract water-sport enthusiasts. Coastal paths connect most of the Gower bays and Swansea Bay itself, and can attract hikers to the countryside views throughout the year. Although little known on the tourist map, areas north of Swansea offer various panoramas of mountain landscapes. The former fishing village of [[Mumbles]] (located on the western edge of [[Swansea Bay]]) has a [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[Mumbles Pier|pier]] and a number of restaurants, pubs and coffee shops. The promenade at [http://www.mumbles.co.uk Mumbles] offers a panoramic view of Swansea Bay. ===Attractions=== On the Waterfront, Swansea Bay has a five mile (8 km) sweep of coastline<ref>{{cite web |title=Swansea Bay |publisher=Explore Gower |url=http://www.explore-gower.co.uk/Content/pa=showpage/pid=57 |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> which features a beach, promenade, children's lido, leisure pool, marina and maritime quarter featuring the newest and oldest museums in Wales - the [[National Waterfront Museum]] and [[Swansea Museum]]. Also situated in the maritime quarter is the [[Dylan Thomas Centre]] which celebrates the life and work of the author with its permanent exhibition 'Dylan Thomas - Man and Myth'. The centre is also the focal point for the annual Dylan Thomas Festival (27 October - 9 November). The [[SA1 Waterfront]] area is the latest development for living, dining and leisure. <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:ClyneGardens.jpg|left|Clyne Gardens]] -->Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower are home to various parks and gardens and almost 20 nature reserves. [[Clyne Valley Country Park|Clyne Gardens]] is home to a collection of plants set in parkland and host to 'Clyne in Bloom' in May. [[Singleton Park]] has acres of parkland, a botanical garden, a boating lake with pedal boats, and crazy golf. [[Plantasia]] is a tropical hothouse pyramid featuring three climatic zones, housing a variety of unusual plants, including several species which are extinct in the wild, and monkeys, reptiles, fish and a butterfly house. Other parks include [[Cwmdonkin Park]], where Dylan Thomas played as a child, and [[Brynmill#Victoria Park|Victoria Park]] which is close to the promenade on the seafront. ===Activities=== Swansea has a range of outdoor activities like [[swimming]], [[sailing]], [[water skiing]], [[surfing]], sea [[angling]], [[canoeing]], [[watercraft rowing|rowing]], [[hiking]] and [[cycling]]. Part of the [[Celtic Trail]] and the [[National Cycle Network]], Swansea Bay provides a range of traffic-free cycle routes including routes along the seafront and through [[Clyne Valley Country Park]]. The Cycling Touring Club [[CTC]] has a thriving local group in the area.<ref>{{cite web |title=CTC- (Cyclist Touring Club) Swansea and West Wales Member Group |publisher=beehive |url=http://beehive.thisissouthwales.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=11628 |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower have a selection of golf courses. Swansea also attracts surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kite buggying, sailing, canoeing, waterskiing and fishing enthusiasts. Prior to closure in 2003, [[Swansea Leisure Centre]] was one of the top ten visitor attractions in the UK. It has been redeveloped as an indoor waterpark<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/3265851.stm | title=Swansea Leisure Centre to shut | publisher=BBC News |year=2003| accessdate=2007-07-26 | language= English}}</ref> and was officially opened by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] on 7 March 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=10883 | title=Swansea's New Leisure Centre | publisher=City and County of Swansea | year=2007 | accessdate=2007-12-06 | language= English}}</ref>. The [[Wales National Pool]] is based in Swansea.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/3913383.stm | title=National Pool 'not just for elite' | publisher=BBC News |year=2004 | accessdate=2007-07-27 | language= English}}</ref> ===Nightlife=== Swansea has a range of bars, clubs and restaurants within the city centre. The majority of bars and clubs are situated on [[Wind_Street#Wind_Street.2FSalubrious_Place|Wind Street]], which has a large number of mainstream chains with different atmospheres and music genres such as [[The Varsity (bar)|Varsity]], [[Walkabout (pub chain)|Walkabout]] and Aspers Casino. There are clubs situated on the [[Wind_Street#The_Kingsway.2FOxford_Street_vicinity|Kingsway]] such as Jumping Jaks, Flares and Escape. [[Oceana (Nightclub)|Oceana]] opened their largest UK venue on Swansea's Kingsway in April 2008. There are also alternative bars and clubs located in the city centre, with some having live music from local bands. The Office, Sin City, Crowleys, Milkwood Jam and Inferno are the [[Rock music|rock]] clubs sometimes playing live music. There is also a [[Jazz]] club, Jazzland. The gay club and bar scene in Swansea is mostly based along High Street. Venues include the clubs Hush and 2-10 and the bars Champers, The Kings and Exchange, which is located on The Strand nearer Wind Street. ===Beaches=== [[Image:SwanseaBay.jpg|thumb|Sunset over Swansea Bay.]] [[Oxwich Bay]] on the [[Gower peninsula]] was named the most beautiful beach in Britain by travel writers who visited more than 1,000 around the world in search of the perfect sands (2007). ''The Travel Magazine'' praised Oxwich for "magnificent and unspoilt" scenery and as a "great place for adults and children to explore".<ref>{{cite web |title=And the most beautiful beach in Britain is... |publisher=The Travel Magazine |date=2007-02-27 |url=http://www.thetravelmagazine.net/i-941--and-the-most-beautiful-beach.html |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> It boasts over three miles (5 km) of soft, golden sands, making it the ideal family getaway. Not surprisingly, [[The Guardian|''The Guardian'']] named it one of Britain's blue-ribband top 10 category beaches (2007).<ref>{{cite web |title=10 sandy beaches |publisher=The Guardian |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/jul/14/beach.uk |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> [[The Independent|''The Independent'']] newspaper hailed [[Rhossili Bay]] as "the British supermodel of beaches" (2006) and the best beach in Britain for breathtaking cliffs (2007)<ref>{{cite web |title=The 50 Best: UK beaches (26-50) |publisher=The Independent |date=2006-06-26 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/the-50-best-uk-beaches-2650-480373.html |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref>, whilst [[The Sunday Times|''The Sunday Times'']] listed it as one of the 25 best beaches in the world (2006)<ref name="hillend">{{cite web |title=Hillend Camping Park |publisher=Hillend Camping |url=http://www.hillendcamping.co.uk/camping.html |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref>. Thanks to its clear air and lovely golden sand, this romantic stretch of sand was voted the best place in the UK to watch the sun set ([[Country Living (magazine)|''Country Living'']] magazine 2005)<ref name="hillend"/> and one the top romantic spots in the country (''The Guardian'' 2007)<ref>{{cite web |title=10 Romantic Settings |publisher=The Guardian |date=2007-07-14 |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/jul/14/beach.cornwall |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref>. Nearby [[Rhossili#Rhossili Bay|Llangennith Beach]], with its soft sands, consistent beach break and great facilities, was listed as the best place to learn how to surf in Britain by The Observer (2006)<ref>{{cite web |title=Learning to surf |publisher=The Observer |date=2006-08-13 |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2006/aug/13/surfing.watersports.unitedkingdom |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> and one of the 10 'classic surfing beaches by ''The Guardian'' (2007)<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 10 UK surf spots |publisher=The Guardian |date=2007-10-11 |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/oct/11/surfing.top10 |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> . Gower also claims Britain's Best Beach, [[Three Cliffs Bay]]. The Gower landmark topped the BBC Holiday Hit Squad nationwide competition (2006)<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Robin |title=We love... Three Cliffs Bay |publisher=WalesOnline |date=2006-09-26 |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid=17818375&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=three-cliffs-bay-name_page.html |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> and was voted Britain's best camping beach by ''The Independent'' thanks to its superb setting and quiet location (2007)<ref>{{cite web |title=The 50 Best: Camping sites |publisher=The Independent |date=2006-06-26 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/the-50-best-camping-sites-125-480374.html |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref>. [[Three Cliffs Bay]] also made the final of the ITV series Britain's Favourite View - the only nomination in Wales and backed by singer [[Katherine Jenkins]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Gower Peninsula |publisher=ITV |date=2007-08-06 |url=http://www.itv.com/Entertainment/reality/BritainFavouriteView/Weekone/TheGowerPeninsula/default.html |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref>. Nearby [[Brandy Cove]] came sixth in an online poll to find the UK's top beach for the baby boomer generation (2006)<ref>{{cite web |title=Welsh beaches a mecca for the over-50s |publisher=WalesOnline |date=2006-08-17 |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid=17575780&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=dynamic-baby-boomers-vote-four-wales-beaches-into-the-uk-s-top-six-leaving--elderly--bournemouth-behind---name_page.html |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref>. Beaches which won 2006 Blue Flag Beach Awards are: [[Bracelet Bay]], [[Caswell Bay]], [[Langland Bay]], [[Port Eynon Bay]] and Swansea Marina (one of the few Blue Flag Marinas in Wales). All of these beaches also won a Seaside Award 2006. [[Limeslade]] was awarded the Rural Seaside Award and the Green Coast Award. Other Green Coast Awards went to Pwll Du, [[Rhossili Bay]] and [[Tor Bay]]. == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == {{portalpar|Wales}} {| | City and County of Swansea: * [http://www.swansea.gov.uk/ City and County of Swansea Council] * [http://www.swanseacitycentre.com/ Swansea City Centre (website run by council)] * [http://www.visitswanseabay.com/ Official tourist website for Swansea] * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/sites/swansea BBC Swansea website] * [http://www.swansea.info Swansea Tourist Information] * [http://www.swanseaforum.com Swansea Discussion Forum] * [http://www.swanseafestival.org/ Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts] *{{wikitravel|Swansea}} * [http://www.food-passion.co.uk/ Food in Swansea (website run by local resident)] * [http://www.swansea.info/ Swansea.info information guide to the city] * [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V9W-4F2VS7K-B&_user=4596862&_coverDate=02%2F01%2F2005&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000063514&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=4596862&md5=52247292bae2688becb9536d2830c22b Science Direct - Cities: Swansea] * [http://www.swanseapipeband.co.uk/ City of Swansea Pipe Band] |style="vertical-align:top"| History: * [http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Gower Classic Encyclopedia: Gower] * [http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Swansea Classic Encyclopedia: Swansea] * [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/GLA/Swansea/SwanseaPortTrade.html Genuki: Swansea, its Port and Trade and their Development] * [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/GLA/Swansea/Timeline.html Genuki: Swansea Timeline] * [http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/blowup1/368 Aerial photograph of Swansea in 1998] * [http://www.valleynation.com/Clubbing-in-Swansea.html Guide to Nightlife in Swansea]: Valley Nation - the Ultimate Guide to South Wales |} {{Swansea}} {{Wales subdivisions}} {{UK cities}} {{coor title dm|51|37|N|3|57|W|region:GB_type:city}} [[Category:Cities in Wales]] [[Category:Coastal cities]] [[Category:Glamorgan]] [[Category:Ports and harbours of Wales]] [[Category:Principal areas of Wales]] [[Category:Seaside resorts in Wales]] [[Category:Port cities and towns in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Settlements established in the 12th century]] [[Category:Swansea| ]] [[ar:سوانزي]] [[br:Abertawe]] [[bg:Суонзи (град в Уелс)]] [[cs:Swansea]] [[cy:Abertawe]] [[da:Swansea]] [[de:Swansea]] [[et:Swansea]] [[es:Swansea]] [[eo:Swansea]] [[eu:Swansea]] [[fr:Swansea]] [[ga:Abertawe]] [[hi:स्वान्ज़ी]] [[id:Swansea]] [[it:Swansea]] [[lt:Svonsis]] [[nl:Swansea]] [[ja:スウォンジ]] [[no:Swansea]] [[pl:Swansea (Walia)]] [[pt:Swansea]] [[ro:Swansea]] [[ru:Суонси]] [[fi:Swansea]] [[sv:Swansea]] [[zh:斯旺西]]