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Background
- Plymouth
Plymouth, the capital of South West England
and the largest city on the South Coast, is a remarkable place
which combines the demands of a major regional centre and
naval base with one of the most enviable environments in Europe.
Home to almost 250,000 people, Plymouth is a city of great
contrasts and can quite literally claim to be a world within
one city, such is the variety to be found within its boundaries.
Twice in recent years, it has been found in a national study
to be the best place in England in which to live, and in 1991
was awarded the coveted title of Britain's cleanest city.
Plymouth is a city steeped in history. Large parts of the
city were destroyed during the bombing raids of the Second
World War, but the Barbican survived almost intact - with
its narrow Tudor Streets, echoing a much earlier mediaeval
pattern of habitation.
Plymouth is a Naval town, and visitors can take boat trips
along the River Tamar, to view the Naval Dockyards, complete
with frigates, submarines and the occasional aircraft carrier.
The dockyards are a major employer in the area contributing
significantly to the local economy, both directly in terms
of employment and through tourism.
Devon is England's third largest county, covering an area
of 6,711 square kilometres, and forms part of the south-west
peninsula of Great Britain.
It is bounded to the west by Cornwall, and to the east by
Dorset and Somerset. Devon escaped the glaciation of the last
Ice Age, but drowned river valleys (rias) and raised beached
reflect the consequent fluctuations in sea level.
The national parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor are the main sources
of the Devon rivers, which flow in a radial pattern from Dartmoor.
The generally mild climate becomes more extreme with altitude
and distance from the sea.
Bright sunshine interspersed with occasional showers is responsible
for the lush green beauty of the landscape. The coastal areas
are dominated by tourism with Paignton, Torbay, Brixham and
Ilfracombe all being popular resorts.
Picturesque small towns include Salcombe, Lynmouth and Clovelly.
Plymouth and Exeter serve as the main industrial centres.
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Plymouth
Features
