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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 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.

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]], [[Crewe]], [[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.

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== Administration ==