Bangor, in the county of Gwynedd and historically a part of Caernarfonshire, has a rich and ancient past, recorded in the pages of this book. Bangor means 'a wattled enclosure' in old Welsh and the city is one of the smallest in Britain, with almost half its population Welsh speaking. Bangor has a university, founded in 1884 and a cathedral, whose bishopric is one of the oldest in Britain, with its origins in the sixth century. It allegedly has the longest High Street in Wales and singer and actress Duffy was born here. The city has hosted the National Eisteddfod eight times. Nearby, the Penrhyn Slate Quarry at Bethesda has exported its products across the world. Within the boundaries of Gwynedd, the National Park of Snowdonia, its beautiful and breath-taking panoramas and scenic towns and villages, are also represented here, including the areas around Beddgelert, Llanberis, Rachub, Talybont, Caernarfon, Llanfairfechan, Llanrwst, Dolwyddelan, Ffestiniog, Porthmadog, Llechwedd, Criccieth and Bala.