Devon

The county of Devon has a population of over. 1,000,000 people and covers 2,591 square miles (6,711 sq km). It is situated in the South West of England. The county town is Exeter.

In Devon there are the popular towns of Barnstaple, Exmouth, Dolton, Torquay, Ashburton, Tiverton, Plymouth, Ottery St Mary, Putsborough, Salcombe, Tavistock, Princetown, Exeter, Dartmouth, Newton Abbot, Lynmouth, Woolacombe, Umberleigh, Teignmouth, Tiverton, Okehampton, Sidmouth and Great Torrington.

 

Geography

Devon is bounded on the North by the Bristol Channel, on the South by the English Channel, and on the West by Cornwall. It is a land of beautiful rolling hills, including Dartmoor and Exmoor. It has upland areas of forests and rugged stone much of which is in the National Park. The Exe and the Tamar are the main rivers, with the Exe forming the boundary with Cornwall.

 

Industry

Plymouth is the chief port and industrial centre for South West England and the largest conurbation in the county. Devon is a mainly rural county raising beef and diary cattle, including the Devonshire Red breed. Woollen goods are still manufactured, along with lace, pottery, and marine fixtures. China clay is still mined but in smaller quantities than previously. Devon is a very unspoilt region, with charming villages and quiet walks set in rolling, hilly countryside. Devon is a very popular tourist and holiday area.

 

History

The county was occupied from Palaeolithic times onwards and for much of it’s early recorded history, was part of the Kingdom of Cornwall. Many archaeological sites have been discovered and excavated from a variety of times and many artefacts can be seen in the local museums. Devon was conquered by King Ine of Wessex in the 8th cent from the adjoining Kingdom of Cornwall. Many colonists sailed from Plymouth to the colonies in North America.