The New Student's Reference Work/Swansea

Swansea (swŏn′sḗ), a seaport of Wales, on Tawe River, 45 miles northwest of Cardiff, is the most important city of South Wales. Its growth is due to its tin-plate manufacture, two thirds of the British output being manufactured here. It also is the principal seat of copper-smelting in Great Britain, and in its vicinity are extensive coal-mines. It has large docks, covering 60 acres, a good harbor, and is several hours nearer the open sea than any other considerable port on Bristol Channel. The McKinley tariff greatly injured Swansea's tin-plate trade. Its charter dates from the days of King John. A tower is still standing of the castle built here by the Earl of Warwick in 1099. Population 114,673.