Newtownabbey is perfectly located to Belfast City and the beautiful Glens of Antrim. Situated on the shore of Belfast Lough reaching North from the City of Belfast and stretching up towards the Glens of Antrim. The new town of Newtownabbey was created in 1958 out of the existing villages of Carnmoney, Glengormley, Jordanstown, Monkstown, Whitehouse, Whitewell and Whiteabbey.
It is a huge residential area with many modern housing estates, and forms Newtownabbey Borough Council. It is also a large industrial base with many engineering and computer industries based in the Monkstown and Carnmoney areas. Retail and leisure facilities include the Abbey Centre, Northcott Shopping Centre and Glengormley Moviehouse.
The main campus for the University of Ulster is based at Jordanstown. Newtownabbey is the largest town on the island of Ireland.