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'''Middlesex''' is a [[British counties|shire]] county of south-east [[England]]. The name dates from the Anglo-Saxon conquest of southern and eastern Britain and derives from the term 'Middle Saxons' (contrasted with the 'East Saxons' of [[Essex]] and the 'West Saxons' of [[Wessex]]). The area of Middlesex corresponds to central, west and north [[London]]. The [[City of London]] lay within Middlesex until granted self-governing status in [date], and as the city spread outwards from the Middle Ages onwards much of what was known as London lay in Middlesex.

'''Middlesex''' is a [[British counties|shire]] county in south-eastern [[England]]. Geographically, it is one of the smallest counties of Great Britain, with an area of 285 square miles. However, with it being almost entirely covered by the central and north-western [[Greater London|London built-up area]], it is also the third most populous after [[Yorkshire]] and [[Lancashire]], with a population of around 4 million. Some relics of rural life can be found in the far north of the county in the Colne Valley around [[Potters Bar]].

In recent centuries, the county's role in administrative affairs has declined, though the county itself was never abolished. Between 1889 and 1965, a large area of the county was under London County Council (though some suburban areas of London were under Middlesex County Council). Between April 1965 and March 1986, most of the county was under Greater London Council, with the Potters Bar area being under Hertfordshire County Council. Following the abolition of that council (though Greater London remains as a devolved authority, statistical region and for the purposes of lieutenancy), the county of Middlesex is mostly administered by 18 of the 32 London Borough councils and the City of London Corporation, with Potters Bar remaining in the domain of Herefordshire County Council.  

In recent centuries, the county's role in administrative affairs has declined, though the county itself was never abolished. Between 1889 and 1965, a large area of the county was under London County Council (though some suburban areas of London were under Middlesex County Council). Between April 1965 and March 1986, most of the county was under Greater London Council, with the Potters Bar area being under Hertfordshire County Council. Following the abolition of that council (though Greater London remains as a devolved authority, statistical region and for the purposes of lieutenancy), the county of Middlesex is mostly administered by 18 of the 32 London Borough councils and the City of London Corporation, with Potters Bar remaining in the domain of Herefordshire County Council.