Devon

Devon, a ceremonial county located in South West England, is bordered by the Bristol Channel to the north, Somerset and Dorset to the east, the English Channel to the south, and Cornwall to the west. The largest settlement in the county is the city of Plymouth, which lies in the south-west, while Exeter is situated in the south-east. With an area of two thousand five hundred and ninety square miles, Devon had an estimated population of one million two hundred fifty-four thousand five hundred and six in the year twenty twenty-four.

The geography of Devon is diverse, featuring Dartmoor and part of Exmoor, both of which are upland moors that serve as the source for many of the county's rivers, including the Taw, Dart, and Exe. The longest river, the Tamar, forms a significant portion of the border with Cornwall and originates in the northwest hills of Devon. The southeast coast is recognized as part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, characterized by towering cliffs that showcase the region's Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous geology.

Historically, Devon was inhabited by the Dumnonii Celtic Britons during the Iron Age, Roman, and Sub-Roman periods. The Anglo-Saxon settlement led to the gradual assimilation of Dumnonia into the kingdom of Wessex during the eighth and ninth centuries. The western boundary with Cornwall was established at the Tamar by King Æthelstan in the year nine hundred thirty-six. Today, Dartmoor and Exmoor are designated national parks, and the county encompasses five national landscapes, highlighting its rich natural heritage.