( of
Wales , bounded to the north by
Montgomeryshire and
Shropshire , to the east by
Herefordshire , to the south by
Brecknockshire and to the west by
Cardiganshire . The county was formed from the two
Cantrefs of
Maelienydd and
Elfael . Area 301,164 acres (1,219 km²). Population 23,000. In the east and south are some comparatively level tracts, including the Vale of Radnor, but most of the county is mountainous, with the
Cambrian Mountains running through the west of the county. The highest point is at
Radnor Forest , 2,166 ft (660 m). The
Elan Valley contains several huge man-made reservoirs supplying water to
Birmingham . The main rivers are the
Wye , the Elan and the
Ithon .
The chief towns are
Knighton ,
Llandrindod Wells ,
Llanelwedd ,
New Radnor ,
Presteigne and
Rhayader . The main industries are tourism and hill farming.
