•  Merionethshire, Wales

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In 1887, John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles described Merionethshire like this:

Merioneth, maritime co., N. Wales, bounded N. by Carnarvonshire and Denbighshire, SE. by Denbighshire, Montgomeryshire, and Cardiganshire, and W. by Cardigan Bay; greatest length, NE. to SW., 45 miles; greatest breadth, NW. to SE., 30 miles; area, 384,717 ac., pop. 52,038. The coast-line is alternately cliffs and stretches of sand, and the co. ...

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generally is the most mountainous in Wales, although some of the mountains of Carnarvonshire rise to greater elevations. Merioneth abounds in wild and romantic mountain scenery, beautiful and fertile valleys, and fine views of sea and lake and river. The greatest heights are Aran Mowddwy (2970 ft.) and Cader Idris (2929 ft.). The chief rivers are the Dee, the Mawddach, and the Dovey. Waterfalls and small lakes are numerous, the largest of the latter being Bala Lake (4 miles long and 1 mile broad). Having generally a poor soil, with large stretches of moor quite beyond a profitable cultivation, Merioneth does not appear as a successful agricultural co., except in the valleys, where there are many fertile tracts. Reclamation of land has been successful in some parts of the co. (For agricultural statistics, see Appendix.) Mfrs. are insignificant, excepting woollen and flannel goods, which are made chiefly at Dolgelly. Considerable quantities of slate and limestone are quarried, and there is a fair output of lead and copper. Some years ago gold was found to some extent, but the workings proving unprofitable were stopped. Merioneth contains 5 hundreds, 33 pars, and parts of 4 others, and the towns or vils. of Aberdovey, Bala, Barmouth, Corwen, Dolgelly, Festiniog, and Harlech. It contains no parl. or mun. boroughs. It is in the dioceses of Bangor and St Asaph. It returns 1 member to Parliament.

Vision of Britain presents long-run change by redistricting historical statistics to modern units. However, none of our modern units covers an area close to that of Merionethshire. If you want trends covering a particular location within the county, find it on our historical maps and then select "Tell me more".

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