Monmouthshire

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Unitary authority in southeast Wales. A former county, between 1974 and 1996 it became (except for a small area on the border with Mid Glamorgan) the county of Gwent.

Area
851 sq km/328 sq mi

Towns
Cwmbran (administrative headquarters), Chepstow, Abergavenny, Caldicot, and Monmouth

Physical
rivers Wye and Usk; mountainous in north

Features
Chepstow (1067), Raglan (1435), and Caldicot (11th century) castles; Tintern Abbey (1131), salmon and trout fishing; peak of Pen-y-Fal or Sugar Loaf (596 m/1,955 ft), Wye Valley

Industries
manufacturing including electronic and electrical goods, brewing, forestry, financial and service sectors, development of tourism

Agriculture
lowlands have rich mixed farming, with arable crops, including wheat; generally employment in agriculture is declining

Population
(2001) 84,900

The Union Jack signifies the islands' wish to preserve links with Britain. The nine stars representing the islands are placed according to their locations. Effective date: 11 April 1997. >>