Pembrokeshire (pop. 123,360) is a local government area in southwest Wales. It is a unitary authority, the primary form of local government in the United Kingdom. The area includes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Tourism is an important industry. The other main industries are agriculture and oil refining. Pembrokeshire’s leading towns are Pembroke, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, and Fishguard. Pembroke is a historic town and port. Milford Haven is a major center of oil refining.
Norman conquerors set up a county palatine—an almost independent area—around Pembroke during the 1100’s. The county of Pembrokeshire gained legal status in 1536 and 1542, under the Acts of Union that united Wales with England. From 1974 to 1996, Pembrokeshire was a part of the county of Dyfed.
