Cynon Valley facts for kids
| Cynon Valley | |
 |
|
| Geography | |
| Status | District, Borough |
| 1974 area | 44,639 acres (180.65 km2) |
| HQ | Aberdare (Welsh: Aberdâr) |
| History | |
| Created | 1974 |
| Abolished | 1996 |
| Succeeded by | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
Quick facts for kids Demography |
|
|---|---|
| 1973 population | 69,630 |
| 1992 population | 65,600 |
Cynon Valley (Welsh: Cwm Cynon) is a former coal mining valley in Wales. Cynon Valley lies between Rhondda and the Merthyr Valley and takes its name from the River Cynon. Aberdare is located in the north of the valley and Mountain Ash is in the south of the valley.
According to the 2001 census, the Cynon Valley has a population of 63,512. In 2001 12.1% of the inhabitants were recorded as Welsh speakers. In common with some of the other South Wales Valleys, Cynon Valley had a high percentage of Welsh speakers until the early 20th century.
Contents
Former district
From 1974 to 1996 the Borough of Cynon Valley was one of thirty-seven districts of Wales. The district was formed from the Aberdare and Mountain Ash urban districts, the parish of Rhigos from Neath Rural District and the parish of Penderyn from Brecknockshire. It was one of six districts of Mid Glamorgan, and in 1996 was merged into the larger unitary authority of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Parliamentary and assembly constituency
In 1983 a parliamentary constituency of Cynon Valley was formed for the election of a member of parliament to the United Kingdom House of Commons. The constituency had identical boundaries to the local government district. In 1999 a Welsh Assembly constituency with the same boundaries was formed. In 2010 the constituency was redefined as consisting of 15 electoral divisions of the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf: Aberaman North, Aberaman South, Abercynon, Aberdare East, Aberdare West/Llwydcoed, Cilfynydd, Cwmbach, Glyncoch, Hirwaun, Mountain Ash East, Mountain Ash West, Penrhiwceiber, Pen-y-waun, Rhigos, Ynysybwl.
The two main towns are Aberdare and Mountain Ash.
Villages near Aberdare
- Aberaman
- Abercwmboi
- Abernant
- Cefn Rhigos
- Croesbychan
- Cwm-Hwnt
- Cwmaman
- Cwmbach
- Cwmdâr
- Gadlys
- Godreaman
- Hirwaun
- Llwydcoed
- Trecynon
- Penderyn
- Penywaun
- Rhigos
Villages near Mountain Ash
- Abercynon
- Mountain Ash/Aberpennar
- Caegarw
- Carnetown
- Cefnpennar
- Cwmpennar
- Fernhill
- Miskin
- Newtown
- Penrhiwceiber
- Perthcelyn
- Pontcynon
- Tyntetown
- Ynysboeth
College
Coleg Morgannwg has a campus in the Cynon Valley based in Aberdare.
Comprehensive schools
- Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun – Welsh-medium
- Mountain Ash Comprehensive School
- Aberdare Community School
- St. John the Baptist School (Aberdare)
