Aberdare is an industrial town in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, situated at the confluence of the River Dar and Cynon. The population at the census was 31,619. It is south west of Merthyr Tydfil and north west of Cardiff. From being, at the beginning of the 19th century, a mere village in an agricultural district, the place grew rapidly in population owing to the abundance of its coal and iron ore, and the population of the whole parish increased tenfold during the first half of the 19th century. It has since declined, owing to the loss of most of the heavy industry. Ironworks were established at Llwydcoed and Abernant in 1799 and 1800...more »