Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin)

Unitary authority in Wales

Coordinates:	51.89, -4.2
OS grid ref:	SN 48 24

Carmarthenshire sits in south‑west Wales and offers a varied landscape of sweeping coastline along Carmarthen Bay, broad river valleys such as the River Towy, and upland hills that meet the western edge of the Brecon Beacons. The county town is Carmarthen, where the river winds through a compact medieval centre, and other notable settlements include the industrial and rugby stronghold of Llanelli and the poetic seaside village of Laugharne.

The area has deep medieval roots with castles like Kidwelly Castle and the Dinefwr estate near Llandeilo, and it retains a strong Welsh cultural identity - the language is widely spoken and local festivals celebrate music, poetry and agricultural life. Literary connections are prominent, with Laugharne famed for its links to Dylan Thomas and Carmarthen carrying a mix of myth and long history.

Economically it blends agriculture - dairy, beef and sheep farming - with pockets of light industry and a south‑coast legacy of tinplate and coal that shaped towns like Llanelli. Tourism, outdoor recreation and food producers are important, and communities remain largely rural and closely knit while adapting to small business growth and renewable energy projects.

Carmarthenshire postcode districts

SA14, SA15, SA16, SA17, SA18, SA19, SA20, SA31, SA32, SA33, SA34, SA38, SA39, SA40

Most populated places in Carmarthenshire

Places in Carmarthenshire

Abergwili Built-up area
Ammanford Built-up area
Brynamman Built-up area
Burry Port Built-up area
Carmarthen Built-up area
Carway Built-up area
Cwmann Built-up area
Ferryside Built-up area
Kidwelly Built-up area
Laugharne Built-up area
Laugharne Township Parish
Llandeilo Built-up area
Llandovery Built-up area
Llandybie Built-up area
Llanelli Built-up area
Llanelli Rural Parish
Llangadog Parish
Llangeler Parish
Llannon Built-up area
Llansteffan Built-up area
Meidrim Built-up area
Nantgaredig Built-up area
Newcastle Emlyn Built-up area
Pencader Built-up area
Pendine Built-up area
Pont Henri Built-up area
Pontyates Built-up area
Pontyberem Built-up area
Trimsaran Built-up area
Tumble Built-up area
Tycroes and Capel Hendre Built-up area
Whitland Built-up area