Ebbw Vale (/ˈɛbuː veɪl/; Welsh: Glyn Ebwy) is a town at the head of the valley formed by the Ebbw Fawr tributary of the Ebbw River in Wales. It is the largest town and the administrative centre of Blaenau Gwent county borough. The vally has a teperat climate, but is prone to harsh weather in the winter. The valley soil that was not degraded by coal dust and metal residues is good, but the hills are rough grassland that is used for sheep and goat farming. There is evidence of very early human activity in the area that became more prominent in the Bronze Age.