Blaenau Ffestiniog
Blaenau Ffestiniog is a historic mining community in Wales, in the historical region 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, including the nearby 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 once the 2nd biggest town in North Wales, behind only Wrexham. After getting to 12,000 at the peak development of the slate industry, the population fell with the decline in the need for its slate. Today the town counts heavily on visitors, that come for tourist attractions that consist of the close-by Ffestiniog Railway and also Llechwedd Slate Caverns. As the slate industry declined, the population of Blaenau Ffestiniog has likewise declined, to 4,875 in 2011. At the same time the tourist market has actually become the community's largest company. The restored Ffestiniog Railway and also the Llechwedd Slate Caverns are preferred tourist destinations, as is the Antur Stiniog downhill hill cycling centre. Recent destinations include the Zip World Titan zip-line site, which likewise now includes the Bounce Below slate mine activity centre.
