Swansea << SWAHN see >> (pop. 238,490) is a local government area in Wales. It became a unitary authority in 1996. Swansea is located about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of Cardiff. It lies on Swansea Bay, on the northern side of the Bristol Channel.
Swansea is a center of trade, manufacturing, and shipping. The manufacture of electronics products is an important industry in the city. Other products of Swansea include automobile parts and tin plate. Swansea’s port handles general cargo and exports of coal from local mines.
Swansea was founded in the 1000’s. It became important in the 1800’s, after the development of the smelting industry and the hard-coal trade. Swansea became the chief British center for the shipping of tin plate. Since the early 1930’s, the city has declined as a manufacturing center and port. To help offset this decline, Swansea became the site of Britain’s first enterprise zone in 1981. This zone provides space for new commercial and industrial activities.
