 Rhondda / ˈrɒnðə / , or the Rhondda Valley ( Welsh : Cwm Rhondda [ kʊm ˈr ̥ ɔnða ] ) , is a former coal mining valley in Wales , formerly a local government district , consisting of 16 communities built around the River Rhondda . The area is , in fact , made up of two valleys : those of the larger Rhondda Fawr valley ( mawr large ) and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley ( bach small ) . The singular term ' Rhondda Valley ' and the plural ' Rhondda Valleys ' are both commonly used . In 2001 the Rhondda constituency of the National Assembly for Wales had a population of 72 @,@ 443 ; while the National Office of Statistics described the Rhondda urban area as having a population of 59 @,@ 602 . Rhondda is part of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough and is part of the South Wales Valleys . 
