Information » Environment » Conservation and Environment » Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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Wales is an amazingly beautiful country and to recognise this, some places have been designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to make sure the natural beauty of the landscape is protected and enhanced
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There are many reasons why an area may be designated an AONB, from the variety of its plant and animal life to having sites of historical importance, or simply scenic views
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Any developments, such as new homes or industry, are restricted within AONBs
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales
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The Wye Valley - this area includes parts of England and Wales, following the Wye river along its beautiful limestone valley and taking in such sites as Tintern Abbey
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Bryniau Clwyd - these hills, found in north east Wales, contain many archaeological sites such as the Iron Age forts found on the summits of the hills, and sections of Offa's Dyke
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Gwyr (The Gower) - the famous coastline near Swansea attracts large numbers of visitors, but it also contains a large variety of landscapes, including marshland, rolling farmland and woodland. Many areas are also Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The Gower peninsula was the first area in Britain to be named an AONB
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Llyn - the unspoilt beauty of the Llyn peninsula is what marks it out as outstanding. It is where the land mass of Snowdonia meets the sea. It also contains Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) which is a sea bird sanctuary and home to the grey seal
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Ynys Môn (Anglesey) - almost the entire coastline of Ynys Môn is designated an AONB. A particularly high variety of wildlife lives in the varied landscapes of Ynys Môn, from its dramatic cliffs to marine heaths and mud flats
