What is Blaenau Ffestiniog?
{{infobox UK place |country = Wales |official_name= Blaenau Ffestiniog |welsh_name = | population = 4,875 | population_ref = (2011) |unitary_wales= [[Gwynedd]] |lieutenancy_wales= [[Gwynedd]] |region= Gwynedd |constituency_westminster= [[Dwyfor Meirionnydd (UK Parliament constituency)|Dwyfor Meirionnydd]] |post_town= BLAENAU FFESTINIOG |postcode_district = LL41 |postcode_area= LL |dial_code= 01766 |os_grid_reference= SH705455 | map_alt = Map of Gwynedd, with a red dot showing the position of Blaenau Ffestiniog | coordinates = {{coord|52.994|-3.939|display=inline,title}} | label_position = right |london_distance= |static_image= Blaenau_Beauty.jpg |static_image_caption= Blaenau Ffestiniog }} '''Blaenau Ffestiniog''', sometimes known locally as just '''Blaenau''', is a town in [[Gwynedd]] in North [[Wales]] and in the [[historic counties of Wales|historic county]] of [[Merionethshire]]. In 2011, around 4,875 people lived there. It is in the middle of [[Snowdonia]] and is 18.63 miles (29.98 km) south east of the city of [[Bangor, Gwynedd|Bangor]]. It is an old town that is known for its [[slate]] mining. Today, it relies on its [[tourism]]. When it was a large mining town, it was [[Wales]]' second-biggest town, behind [[Wrexham]]. ==Language== Most people who come from or live in Blaenau Ffestiniog speak [[Welsh language|Welsh]]. In the 2011 census, 78.6% of people who live there said they can speak it. This makes it one of the most-[[Welsh language|Welsh]] speaking towns in [[Wales]]. ==Transport== [[Blaenau Ffestiniog railway station]] is the northern end of the [[Ffestiniog Railway]], a [[narrow-gauge railway|narrow-gauge]] [[heritage railway]] that starts at [[Porthmadog]]. The railway goes through very mountainous and forested areas and is very popular with tourists. The town also has a mainline [[train station]] that is connected to the heritage station. It is the southern end of the [[Conwy Valley line]] from [[Llandudno railway station|Llandudno]], another line known for its views. ==Twin to