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'''Cheshire''' is a county in the west of England, on the border with [[Wales]]; its county town is the cathedral city of [[Chester]]. It is primarily considered to be in the North West of England, although occasionally it is considered a part of the English Midlands, due to it having formed a part of the Anglian kingdom [[Mercia]] (527–918 AD). It forms a part of the historic [[Welsh Marches]] border region between England and Wales.  

'''Cheshire''' is a county in the west of England, on the border with [[Wales]]. It is primarily considered to be in the North West of England, although occasionally it is considered a part of the English Midlands, due to it having formed a part of the Anglian kingdom [[Mercia]] (527–918 AD). It forms a part of the historic [[Welsh Marches]] border region between England and Wales.  

Cheshire borders [[Lancashire]] across the River Mersey to the north, with a significantly shorter border with [[Yorkshire]] to the north east. Its eastern border is mostly with [[Derbyshire]]. To the south, Cheshire borders [[Staffordshire]] and [[Shropshire]], bordering [[Denbighshire]] and [[Flintshire]], both in Wales, to the west.

Cheshire borders [[Lancashire]] across the River Mersey to the north, with a significantly shorter border with [[Yorkshire]] to the north east. Its eastern border is mostly with [[Derbyshire]]. To the south, Cheshire borders [[Staffordshire]] and [[Shropshire]], bordering [[Denbighshire]] and [[Flintshire]], both in Wales, to the west.

Much of Cheshire is low-lying and flat - the 'Cheshire Plain', though in the east the land rises in the Pennine foothills. The county is largely agricultural, though significant industries have since Roman times exploited the salt beds underlying the county. The 'Cheshire Witches', the towns of [[Northwich]], [[Nantwich]] and [[Middlewich]], grew prosperous on salt; and the industry also gave rise to the chemicals industry on the Mersey. [[Macclesfield]], in the east of the county, specialised in silk manufacture, and Crewe in railway engineering. North Cheshire has some of the most expensive residential property in the United Kingdom, and the area around [[Alderley Edge]] is nicknamed the 'footballer belt', as many highly-paid football stars live in the vicinity.

Much of Cheshire is low-lying and flat - the 'Cheshire Plain', though in the east the land rises in the Pennine foothills. The county is largely agricultural, though significant industries have since Roman times exploited the salt beds underlying the county. The 'Cheshire Witches', the towns of [[Northwich]], [[Nantwich]] and [[Middlewich]], grew prosperous on salt; and the industry also gave rise to the chemicals industry on the Mersey. [[Macclesfield]], in the east of the county, specialised in silk manufacture, and Crewe in railway engineering. North Cheshire has some of the most expensive residential property in the United Kingdom, and the area around [[Alderley Edge]] is nicknamed the 'footballer belt', as many highly-paid football stars live in the vicinity.

The population of Cheshire is around 1.67 million.

The population of Cheshire is around 1.67 million. The county town is [[Chester]], an ancient cathedral city which grew out of the Roman fort Deva. Other major settlements include [[Birkenhead]], [[Macclesfield]], [[Runcorn]] and [[Stockport]]. Some southern suburban areas of [[Manchester]] are in Cheshire, as is [[Manchester Airport]], although the city is primarily in Lancashire. Similarly, the part of Warrington south of the River Mersey is in Cheshire, with that to the north in Lancashire.

== Administration ==

== Administration ==

The large and predominantly rural interior of the county Cheshire is served by two council areas, including county councils and metropolitan borough councils (MBCs); [[Cheshire East Council]] and [[Cheshire West and Chester Council]]. Other areas of the county are served by [[Derbyshire County Council]] (High Peak district), Halton Borough Council, Manchester City Council, Shropshire Council, Stockport MBC, Tameside MBC and Wirral Council.

The large and predominantly rural interior of the county Cheshire is served by two council areas, including county councils and metropolitan borough councils (MBCs); [[Cheshire East Council]] and [[Cheshire West and Chester Council]]. Other areas of the county are served by [[Derbyshire County Council]] (High Peak district), Halton Borough Council, Manchester City Council, Shropshire Council, Stockport MBC, Tameside MBC and Wirral Council.

The county also lends its name to a "county for the purposes of lieutenancy" (which [[Wikipedia]] wrongly calls a "ceremonial county"), which consists of the council areas Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington, despite the latter two containing areas of Lancashire.

The county also lends its name to a "county for the purposes of lieutenancy" (which [[Wikipedia]] wrongly calls a "ceremonial county"), which consists of the council areas Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington, despite the latter two partially consisting of areas of Lancashire.

[[Category:United Kingdom Counties]]

[[Category:United Kingdom Counties]]