Editing Ceredigion (section)

==Economy==
[[File:Grazing Land and Hillside, Cwm Brefi, Ceredigion - geograph.org.uk - 508632.jpg|thumb|Hill farm at Cwm Brefi]]
Farming has traditionally been the basis of Cardiganshire's economy, with dairying and stock-rearing being the main occupations. Before the first railway was built in 1866, the stock used to be herded over the mountains to England, where [[Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby]], [[Northampton]] and London were important destinations. At one time there was a sizeable mining industry in Cardiganshire, but the reserves of lead, silver and zinc became unprofitable to mine by the early 20th century. Shipping was also important in the county, with coal and lime being imported in coastal vessels, and mineral ores and oak bark for [[Tanning (leather)|tanning]] being exported. [[Shipbuilding]] was an important industry: most of Wales' sailing vessels were built in Cardiganshire.<ref name=Nienaber>{{cite book|author=Nienaber, Birte|title=Globalization and Europe's Rural Regions |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RFurCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA79 |year=2016|publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-12709-3 |pages=76–83}}</ref>

Cardiganshire had a substantial population in the early modern period, but this declined during the 19th century as wider social and economic developments affected all aspects of Cardiganshire life. Traditional industries were in decline, agriculture was in decline and it was becoming increasingly difficult for a still-rising population to earn a living within their native parishes and communities. By the first half of the 20th century, falling livestock prices and greater international competition made farming unprofitable. Many residents of Cardiganshire moved to other parts of South Wales, where there were better employment opportunities, and many more emigrated to the United States, Canada, Patagonia and Australia.<ref name=Nienaber/> Furthermore, the owners of the great landed estates, who had for so long dominated the politics of the county, were in many cases heavily in debt. This led to the loss of landowner influence in the running of the county; this became very apparent at the first elections to the [[Cardiganshire County Council election, 1889|Cardiganshire County Council]] in 1889.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Morgan |first=K. O. |date=1967 |title=Cardiganshire politics: the Liberal ascendancy, 1885–1923 |journal=Journal of the Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society |volume=5 |issue=4 |pages=314–18; 319–20 |s2cid=157863376}}</ref> 
[[File:Clarach Bay - geograph.org.uk - 1378270.jpg|thumb|Caravan park at [[Clarach Bay]]]]

By the second half of the 20th century, the population was increasing again. More retired people were arriving to make their home in the tranquil surroundings, and after the Beacham Commission in the 1960s, the British government realised that the rural way of life in parts of Wales was in crisis, and started to react. Through government initiatives and local actions, opportunities in tourism, rural crafts, specialist food shops, farmers' markets and added-value food products began to emerge.<ref name=Nienaber/> However, in 2011, at 3.1%, Ceredigion still had one of the highest proportions of its population working in agriculture, forestry and fishing, close behind such other places as [[Orkney]] and [[Shetland]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Dorling, Danny|author2=Thomas, Bethan |title=People and Places: A 21st-century Atlas of the UK|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PsLOCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA160 |year=2016 |publisher=Policy Press |isbn=978-1-4473-1136-2 |page=160}}</ref> Exposed, marginal land is also used for [[wind farm]]s: [[Cefn Croes Wind Farm]] near [[Devil's Bridge]] has 39 turbines and a nominal capacity of 58.5&nbsp;MW.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thewindpower.net/wind-farm-1452-cefn-croes-inc-devils-bridge-bryn-du-nffo-contract-nd-nd.php|title=Cefn Croes, United-Kingdom |work=Wind Energy Market Intelligence |publisher=The Wind Power|access-date=11 April 2016}}</ref>

Farm incomes have been in decline over the years; and, as well as being a [[Regional policy of the European Union|European Objective I area]], in 2001 Ceredigion was designated a regional "Tourist growth area" by the [[Wales Tourist Board]].<ref name=Hall/> There is little industry other than farming, so tourism plays an important part in the county's economy. Visitors stay in hotels, guest houses and homes offering bed-and-breakfast, self-catering cottages, caravans and camp sites; they spend money in local shops, dine in local establishments and visit the county's many attractions. Ceredigion prides itself on offering an unspoilt natural landscape, and Aberystwyth claims to be the capital of Welsh culture.<ref name=Cloke>{{cite book|author1=Cloke, Paul|author2=Crang, Philip |author3=Goodwin, Mark |title=Introducing Human Geographies, Second Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-gF-AKXF2DkC&pg=PA522 |year=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-4441-6980-5 |pages=522}}</ref>