Geography of Swansea

The local government area is some 378 km² in size, including a large amount of open countryside, towns like Gorseinon and Loughor, and the Gower Peninsula. The population in mid-2004 is about 225,000 , 13.4% of which were Welsh speakers at the 2001 census, as compared with 11% for the capital city, Cardiff.

The Gower Peninsula, to which the city proper is considered the gateway, is Britain’s first area to be designated an area of outstanding natural beauty. The coastal landscape of the Gower Peninsula as a whole is impressive. The wide sandy beaches at Langland, Caswell and Limeslade are the most popular with swimmers and tourists with children, whereas the wide and calm waters of Swansea Bay tend to attract the water-sport enthusiast. Coastal paths connect most of the Gower bays and Swansea Bay itself, and hikers can enjoy breathtaking views throughout the year. The north of Swansea, whilst little known on the tourist map, has some of the most outstanding countryside in the country, with unparalleled panoramas of the breathtaking Welsh mountains. Felindre, a district in north-west Swansea, will host the National Eisteddfod in 2006.

As part of a coastal region, Swansea experiences a milder climate than the mountains and valleys inland. This same location, though, leaves Swansea exposed to rain-bearing winds from the Atlantic: figures from the Met Office make Swansea the wettest city in Britain.

The South Wales Coalfield reaches the coast in the Swansea area. This had a great bearing on the development of the town.

The former fishing village of Mumbles (located on the western edge of Swansea Bay) has excellent restaurants and coffee shops, and is a great place to pick up a local souvenir. in addition, the vista of Swansea Bay is perhaps most spectacular when viewed from the promenade at Mumbles. The nearby village of Oystermouth is home to the ruins of a 12th Century castle of the same name.