Aberdare ( ; ) is a town in the
Cynon Valley area of
Rhondda Cynon Taf,
Wales, at the
confluence of the Rivers Dare (Dâr) and
Cynon. The population at the
2001 census was 31,705 (ranked 13th largest in Wales). Aberdare is south-west of
Merthyr Tydfil, north-west of
Cardiff and east-north-east of
Swansea. During the 19th century it became a thriving industrial settlement, which was also notable for the vitality of its cultural life and as an important publishing centre.