Mid Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mid Wales is the name given to the area of Wales between North Wales and South Wales. It borders England via the Welsh Marches to the east and the Irish Sea via Cardigan Bay to the west (West Wales is to the south-west). The region approximately consists of the principal areas of Ceredigion and Powys, or the traditional counties of Brecknockshire, Cardiganshire, Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire. Mid Wales is also sometimes said to include Merionethshire.
Mid Wales is dominated by the remote Cambrian Mountains which run down the centre of the area including the area known as the Desert of Wales. It is sparsely populated, with most settlements being situated to the east of the mountains, including Builth Wells, Welshpool, and Newtown. There are also a few towns on the coast, most notably Aberystwyth, the de facto capital of the region.
For many purposes Wales can be divided into only three regions, North Wales, South Wales and West Wales. In this scenario, the Mid Wales region is divided, with Brecknockshire and Radnorshire being included in South Wales, Ceredigion/Cardiganshire in West Wales and Montgomeryshire and Merionethshire included in North Wales.