Blaenau Ffestiniog
Blaenau Ffestiniog is a historic mining community in Wales, in the historic area of Merionethshire, although now part of the unitary authority of Gwynedd. The population of the community of Ffestiniog was 4,875 according to the 2011 census, including the neighboring town of Llan Ffestiniog, which makes it the 4th most populous community in Gwynedd, after Bangor, Caernarfon, as well as Llandeiniolen. Llan Ffestiniog's population of 864 puts the population of Blaenau itself at around 4,000. Blaenau Ffestiniog was at one-time the 2nd biggest town in North Wales, behind just Wrexham. After reaching 12,000 at the peak advancement of the slate market, the population dropped with the decline in the demand for its slate. Today the town counts greatly on travelers, who come for attractions that consist of the nearby Ffestiniog Railway as well as Llechwedd Slate Caverns. As the slate market decreased, the population of Blaenau Ffestiniog has actually additionally decreased, to 4,875 in 2011. At the same time the tourist sector has come to be the community's largest employer. The revived Ffestiniog Railway and the Llechwedd Slate Caverns are popular tourist destinations, as is the Antur Stiniog downhill hill biking centre. Recent destinations include the Zip World Titan zip-line site, which additionally currently features the Bounce Below slate mine activity centre.