East Wales

East Wales (Welsh: Dwyrain Cymru) is a geographical sub-division and a former International Territorial Level Two (ITL 2) statistical region of Wales. It generally encompasses the easternmost parts of the country, and was further sub-divided into four ITL 3 regions– Monmouthshire and Newport, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan, Flintshire and Wrexham, Powys, while the rest of Wales was part of the West Wales and the Valleys ITL 2 region.

Various organisations in Wales use various methodologies to sub-divide territory, and most of them use a North–South divide. The East-West divide was generally used by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and sporting organisations such as the Welsh Athletics. Since 2025, the ONS has used a three-region North, Mid and South West, and South East divide for its 2025 set of ITL 2 regions.[1]

Usage

Various organisations in Wales use various methodologies to sub-divide Welsh territory. The most common form of division of Wales into various regions has been using cardinal and intercardinal references, and most of them including he Welsh Government,[2] and organisations such as Visit Wales,[3] Natural Resources Wales,[4] use a North–South divide.[5][6] The East-West divide is used on rare occasions and was generally used by the Office for National Statistics.[7] The Welsh Government sometimes uses the East-West divide such as in case of economic planning and development.[8]

Geography

East Wales sub-division generally encompasses the easternmost parts of the country, spread over an area of 8,000 km2 (3,100 sq mi). It is further sub-divided into seven unitary authority areas– Monmouthshire, Newport, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Flintshire, Wrexham, and Powys.[9] The region consists of mountainous terrain on the Eastern extremes with urban developments in the valley region between Cardiff and Newport. The valley extends north into the mountainous regions bordering Powys.[9] The region hosts a variety of wildlife, and incorporates parts of the Brecon Beacons National Park.[9]

Demographics

The region was home to a population of approximately 1.1 million people in 2002.[9] The region is considered more economically developed, than the corresponding western part of the territory.[10] The urban regions consist of well educated and skilled manpower, with a high net income compared to other regions of Wales. However, the rural regions are sparsely populated, and predominantly dependent on agriculture. They have low income levels compared to the urban areas, and are faced with farming on difficult terrain.[9]

National statistics

The Office for National Statistics of the United Kingdom (UK) divided the geographical area of the UK into various levels of sub-divisions. Entire Wales is demarcated as a International Territory Level Two (ITL 2) statistical region. Within Wales, various geographical sub-divisions were designated as ITL 2 statistical regions. The East Wales region was one of the two sub-divisions, with the remainder of Wales termed as West Wales and the Valleys. It was further divided into four ITL 3 regions.[7]

ITL 1 Code ITL 2 Code ITL 3 Code
Wales TLL East Wales TLL2 Monmouthshire and Newport TLL21
Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan TLL22
Flintshire and Wrexham TLL23
Powys TLL24

Sport

Welsh Athletics divides the Wales region into four sub-regions based on the cardinal directions. The leagues for various disciplines having regional and inter-region competitions, are conducted based on the same.[11] The East Wales region covers Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly (eastern half), Monmouthshire, Newport, South Powys and Torfaen.[11]

Sports associations such as Wales Bridge Association use a similar methodology with the East Wales Bridge Association one amongst the four in Wales, the others being Mid, West and North. The East Wales Association consists of the historic counties of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and Brecknockshire.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "International geographies - Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Prosperity for All: economic action plan" (PDF). Welsh Government. 13 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "Introduction to Wales". Visit Wales. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. ↑ "Natural Resources Wales / Area Statements". Natural Resources Wales. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  5. ↑ "Regions of Wales". Business Wales. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "OECD case study: Considerations for economic regions in Mid Wales and South West Wales". OECD. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics (NUTS)". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  8. ↑ European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014-2020 (PDF). Welsh Government (Report). p. 2. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Portrait of regions". Eurostat. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  10. ↑ East Wales European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 (PDF). Welsh Government (Report). p. 2. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  11. 1 2 "Welsh Athletics Regional Athletic Councils". Welsh Athletics. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "East Wales". Bridgeweb. Retrieved 12 January 2013.

52°24′47″N 3°11′31″W / 52.413°N 3.192°W / 52.413; -3.192

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