LLANELLI

town, historic and present county of Carmarthenshire, Wales. The old, established settlement's most significant growth dates from the late 18th century, when it became a centre of nonferrous metal manufacture, including lead, copper (after 1804), and tinplate (after 1847), which came to dominate the local economy. Llanelli also became a port for the anthracite coalfield. Gradually the town's heavy industry declined, and coal mining ceased. The docks were closed in 1951, and the old tinplate mills were all closed. Afterward, however, the large new cold-reduction mill at Trostre, using steel strip from Port Talbot, made Llanelli again a centre of tinplate manufacture, primarily for packaging. The town also has a small steel fabrication industry. Pop. (1991) 44,953. district and borough, Dyfed county, Wales. It was created in 1974 and covers rolling hills and coastline along Carmarthen Bay. It is bordered by the districts of Carmarthen and Dinefwr to the north and by the Lliw Valley to the west and south. Near the western edge of the district lies Kidwelly, one of the oldest boroughs (established 1115) in Wales. Its castle was built by Roger of Salisbury in 1106 as one of a network of strongholds to maintain Norman control of South Wales. Kidwelly manufactures optical glass and silica bricks. The coastal town of Burry Port, primarily a yachting centre, once exported coal. The first seaplane to cross the Atlantic Ocean, piloted by Amelia Earhart, landed in Burry Port. A power station was recently built there, and in 1980 the district opened the 520-acre (210-hectare) Country Park at Pembrey. Area 90 square miles (233 square km). Pop. (1991 prelim.) 73,500.