Essex

Essex has a population of around 1,500,000 people. It covers an area of 1,520 square miles (3,938 sq km) and is located in the South East of England, on the River Thames and the North Sea. Chelmsford is the county seat.

In Essex there are the popular towns of Ashingdon, Billericay, Brentwood, Canvey Island, Chelmsford, Chigwell, Colchester, Waltham Abbey, Romford and Basildon.

 

Geography

The land consists of undulating rural countryside, bordered by an irregular coastline. Streams and salt marshes are plentiful.

 

Industry

The main produce from Essex are wheat, barley, sugar beets, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables. There is market gardening for London and some dairy and sheep farming. Oyster fisheries are also important. Industries include petroleum refining, chemicals, machinery, textiles, cement, processed foods, electrical goods, and nuclear power generation. The coast line has many tourist resorts and is extremely popular.

 

History

Essex, one of the early kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England. It was settled in the early 6th cent. by the Saxons. Essex eventually included the modern counties of Essex and Middlesex, most of Hertfordshire, and London. It was conquered by the Mercians and became a subject state.