Montgomeryshire is known in Welsh as Sir Drefaldwyn and is an inland County, bounded N. by Denbighshire, E. and SE. by Shropshire, S. by Radnorshire, SW by Cardiganshire and W. and NW. by Merioneth. Area 510,111 acres. Population 52,000. The County is almost wholly mountainous, although there are some fertile valleys on the Shropshire side. The highest point is Mole Sych (2,713 ft). The principal rivers are the Severn and its affluent, the Dovey. Lake Vyrnwy is a reservoir supplying Liverpool. The main towns are Llanfyllin, Machynlleth, Montgomery, Newtown and Welshpool. The main industries are agriculture (mainly hill farming) and tourism.

Places of special interest: Bryn Tail Lead Mine Buildings (SN9186); Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth (SH7504); Dolforwyn Castle (SO1595); Montgomery Castle (SO2296); Powis Castle, Welshpool (SJ2106); Trefeglwys Tumuli (SN8792).