Preserved counties of Wales

Wales is split into eight preserved counties. They are areas used for the ceremonial purposes of lieutenancy and shrievalty.

Between 1974 and 1996, they were used for local government purposes.

Seven of the eight preserved counties are now split into counties and principal areas. Powys is the only one that still exists.

 Name Now split into Area (km²) Population Clwyd ConwyDenbighshireFlintshireWrexham 2,910 491,100 Dyfed CarmarthenshireCeredigionPembrokeshire 5,780 375,200 Gwent Blaenau GwentCaerphillyMonmouthshireNewportTorfaen 1,553 560,500 Gwynedd GwyneddIsle of Anglesey 3,262 187,400 Mid Glamorgan BridgendMerthyr TydfilRhondda Cynon Taf 781 423,200 Powys Powys 5,196 132,000 South Glamorgan CardiffVale of Glamorgan 475 445,000 West Glamorgan Neath Port TalbotSwansea 820 365,500