Ceredigion (previously known as Cardiganshire) is an area in West Wales with 77,000 inhabitants over 1115 sq miles. The main towns are Cardigan, Aberystwyth, Aberarth, Tregaron, Aberaeron, Lampeter and New Quay.

Over half of the population (52%) of the population of Ceredigion speak Welsh as their first language, with the rest speaking English.

Ceredigion contains the Cambrian Mountains whose highest point is the peak Pumlomon at over 2,400 feet above sea level and including the Brecon Beacons beloved by mountaineers and has official National Park status.

Gold is not mined in Ceredigion, however the Gold Centre is in Tregaron and is a local tourist attraction..

Considering the small population it may be surprising that Ceredigion actually has two Universities, the University of Wales, Lampeter and Aberystwyth University plus The National Library of Wales. The University of Wales, Lampeter dates from 1822 and is one of the smallest Universities in Europe with less than 2,000 pupils. Aberystwyth University dates from 1872 and has over 12,000 students over 17 departments.