Map of Monmouthshire (1907)

The above map is taken from Half hours in Monmouthshire by Aldophe Geo. Jones (Published in 1907)

The River Usk marks a boundary between the two distinct areas of Monmouthshire. The areas east of the River Usk being agricultural whereas to the west lies the major industrial areas which grew dramatically in the 1800s mainly due to coalmining and iron works. From this map it can be seen that in 1901 Eastern Monmouthshire only had three large towns ie Abergavenny, Monmouth and Chepstow whereas the western part of Monmouthshire had thirteen major towns ie Tredegar, Ebbw Vale, Rhymney, Blaina, Abertillery Arbersychan, Pontypool, Abercarn,Newport, Risca, Aberystruth, Rogerstone and Blaenavon. At this time the small village of Crosskeys can be seen to be larger in size than most of the villages situated in Eastern Monmouthshire

- Shows approximate size of Town or Village