PEMBROKESHIRE, a maritime county of South Wales, is bounded on the north and west by St. George's Channel, on the south by the Bristol Channel, on the east by Caermarthenshire, and on the north-east by Cardigan shire. Its form is very irregular, in consequence of the numerous bays with which its coast is indented. The greatest length from north to south is about 30 miles, the greatest breadth 33, and the shortest diameter 13 ; the circumference measures 115 miles. The superficial ex tent is estimated at 610 square miles, or 390,400 acres. It is divided into seven hundreds, and these again into 145 parishes; it contains one city, and seven market towns. It lies in the diocese of St. David's, and sends two mem bers to parliament.
With regard to external aspect, this county, though greatly diversified by an alternation of hill and dale, is the most level part of Wales, and seems to bear a closer re semblance to the English counties. The hills are of mo derate elevation, except in the north-east district, where a chain of considerable height, named Percelly, extends about 10 miles from east to west. The scenery on the banks of the Tivy, and in many places along the coast, is beautiful and romantic ; but it is in general uninterestipg, from the scarcity of woods and plantations, there being almost none in the county except in some spots on the west coast.
The rivers of Pembrokeshire are numerous ; the princi pal of these are the Tivy, the east Cleddau and west Cleddau. The Tivy rises in the north-east of Cardigan shire, and entering this county at Devy, forms its boun dary on the north-east, passes the town of Cardigan, and falls at Kenmaes Head into the Irish sea. The east Cled dau rises in the north of the county, and after forming, during a part of its course, the boundary between Pem brokeshire and Caermarthenshire, flows to the south-west and joins the west Cleddau at Landshipping. The west Cleddau has its source in the western district of the coun ty, and running in an easterly direction, receives the wa ters of the Hiog near Haverford west, where it becomes salt ; turning to the south-east it meets the east Cleddau at Landshipping, where they united form Milford Haven ; the length of which, from the junction of the two rivers to the sea, is 16 miles, and its mean breadth one mile.
Pembrokeshire has a considerable extent of coast, which is in general hilly, with almost perpendicular cliffs. The natural harbours are numerous and excellent : that of Mil ford Haven, in particular, is reckoned the best in the kingdom ; it is a deep inlet of the sea, branching out into numerous creeks, sheltered from all winds, and sufficient ly capacious to contain the whole of the British navy. North of Milford Haven is St. Bride's Bay, which is also large, and well sheltered from all winds except the west : the other principal bays are those of Fishgard, Newport, and Aberkikor. Near St. Bride's Bay is Ramsay Island, which is frequented by multitudes of migrating birds, many of which are unknown in every other part of the island ; there are also some small islands on the south-west side.
The climate is mild and salubrious, and instances of longevity are numerous and remarkable. From being al most surrounded by the sea, this county is more subject to rain than any other county of England, a circumstance which the great dryness of the soil renders very beneficial. Frost seldom continues long, and snow never lies more than a few days, except on the mountains in the north. The quality of the soil varies considerably, but it may be divided into Tour varieties ; first, a strong red loam, ge nerally from six to fourteen inches in depth, resting on a stratum of red argillaceous rock : secondly, a dark grey loam, from six to twelve inches deep, on a blue and brown rock; this earth is most abundant, the greater part of the surface of the county being composed of it: thirdly, a light spungy peat, usually on a clay bottom ; this soil is very unproductive, but is much improved by lime-ma nure : fourthly, a rich loam of considerable depth, on a substratum of limestone rock ; this variety, which is con fined to the southern district, is well adapted for the cul ture of corn.