Following the 1994 Local Government (Wales) Act the 8 counties and 37 districts of Wales were replaced in April 1996 by 22 unitary authorities with responsibilities for all aspects of local government.
8 of the UAs (Bridgend; Cardiff; Merthyr Tydfil; Neath Port Talbot; Newport; Rhondda, Cynon, Taff; Torfaen; and Wrexham) have county borough status (reflecting their existence as large population centres), whilst the other 14 have county status (reflecting at least some aspect of rurality). These definitions do not however affect authority structures.
Unitary authorities are built from electoral divisions. They are also divided into communities.
Names and codes of Welsh unitary authorities .
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geography
beginners' guide to UK geography