Blaenau Ffestiniog is a historic mining town in Wales, in the historical county of Merionethshire, although currently part of the unitary authority of Gwynedd. The population of the area of Ffestiniog was 4,875 according to the 2011 demographics, consisting of the close-by town of Llan Ffestiniog, which makes it the 4th most populated neighborhood in Gwynedd, after Bangor, Caernarfon, and also Llandeiniolen. Llan Ffestiniog's population of 864 places the population of Blaenau itself at around 4,000. Blaenau Ffestiniog went to one time the 2nd largest town in North Wales, behind only Wrexham. After reaching 12,000 at the peak advancement of the slate market, the population dropped with the decrease in the demand for its slate. Today the town relies greatly on tourists, that come for destinations that consist of the neighboring Ffestiniog Railway and Llechwedd Slate Caverns. As the slate sector decreased, the population of Blaenau Ffestiniog has likewise declined, to 4,875 in 2011. At the same time the tourist market has actually ended up being the town's largest employer. The restored Ffestiniog Railway and the Llechwedd Slate Caverns are prominent visitor attractions, as is the Antur Stiniog downhill hill cycling centre. Current tourist attractions consist of the Zip World Titan zip-line site, which likewise now features the Bounce Below slate mine activity centre.