East
Midlands
Counties: Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire
(including Rutland),
Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
The East Midlands is the fourth largest region in England.
Landscape
Most of the East Midlands is low-lying.
The chalky Chiltern Hills lie
along the southern boundary of this region. North of these in Northamptonshire,
lies the valley of the river Nene, running between two ridges of
higher ground. Further north, in Lincolnshire, the county
consists of heathland, with wolds (low hills) to the east, and
marshland over in the west running towards the North Sea. The river
Trent, England's third largest river, runs through Nottinghamshire
to join the river Ouse and form the Humber.
National
Park -
The Peak District
The Peak
District is in the north west corner of the East Milands. It is mostly in county of Derbyshire but spills over into adjoining counties.
The highest point in the East Midlands region is Kinder Scout, in the Derbyshire Peak District at 636m.
Important
towns and cities
The most important cities and towns are the ancients ones of Lincoln,
Nottingham, Bedford, Ely, and Northampton. The largest city and the generally recognized "capital" of the East Midlands is Nottingham.
Grimbsy,
in northeast Lincolnshire is a fishing port.
Industry
Nottingham has a worldwide reputation for its fine lace. There are also
heavy industries and many power stations along the banks of the river
Trent. Northampton is an important leather working centre. The clay
beds of Bedfordshire have been quarried for brick making. Precision
instruments are made around Cambridge. Leicester
has shoe factories.
Farming
and Fishing
The rich, peaty fens have made the East Midlands one of England's
most important arable lands. The region's farmers supply fruit and
vegetables to local industries for freezing, canning and jam-making.
Other crops include cereals and sugarbeet. Shorthorn cows provide
milk for making Stilton cheese, in Nottinghamshire.
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