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Buckinghamshire

geography Maturity 5-7

Buckinghamshire is a place in England.

Buckingham-215x334.jpg
Buckingham-215x334.jpg
It has big hills.
Wendover Dean.jpg
Wendover Dean.jpg
It also has a long river.
Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Many people live in its towns. It is a very nice place to see. Do you want to visit?

42 words

Buckinghamshire is in South East England.

Buckingham-215x334.jpg
Buckingham-215x334.jpg
It sits near a big city called London.

The south has many hills. These are the Chiltern Hills.

Wendover Dean.jpg
Wendover Dean.jpg
The hills help make a river called the Ouzel.

There is a river called the Thames too.

Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
It flows along the bottom of the land.

Many people live in towns here. Milton Keynes is a very large city. People also live in Aylesbury and High Wycombe.

It is a green and leafy place. You might see farms or big woods there.

92 words

Buckinghamshire is a county in South East England.

Buckingham-215x334.jpg
Buckingham-215x334.jpg
It sits near Greater London. To the north is Northamptonshire. To the west is Oxfordshire. The River Thames forms part of its southern border.
Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg

The south has the Chiltern Hills. These hills are a special area of natural beauty. The highest point is Haddington Hill.

Wendover Dean.jpg
Wendover Dean.jpg
The hills help start the River Ouzel. This river flows through the Vale of Aylesbury. It moves through the city of Milton Keynes. There, it meets the River Great Ouse.

Many people live in this county. Milton Keynes is the largest settlement. It is a large city. Other big towns are Aylesbury and High Wycombe.

CheshamPondParkView.jpg
CheshamPondParkView.jpg
Many people live here and travel to London for work.

Buckinghamshire has a long history. Its name comes from an Anglo-Saxon landowner named Bucca. The county has been around since the time of the kingdom of Mercia. Today, it is known for being a green and leafy place. It has many farms and big woods.

171 words

Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial county in South East England.

Buckingham-215x334.jpg
Buckingham-215x334.jpg
It is one of the home counties. You can find it near Greater London to the south-east. Many other places sit around its borders. Northamptonshire is to the north. Bedfordshire is to the north-east. Hertfordshire is to the east. Berkshire is to the south. Oxfordshire sits to the west.
Buckinghamshire numbered districts 2020.svg
Buckinghamshire numbered districts 2020.svg
The county is split into two main areas. One is called Buckinghamshire and the other is Milton Keynes. The largest settlement in the whole county is the city of Milton Keynes.
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes.jpg
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes.jpg

The land changes quite a bit as you travel through it. The south is home to the Chiltern Hills. This area is known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wendover Dean.jpg
Wendover Dean.jpg
These hills contain the highest point called Haddington Hill. The hills are where the River Ouzel begins. This river flows across the lowland Vale of Aylesbury. It moves through Milton Keynes before meeting the River Great Ouse at Newport Pagnell.
Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
The River Thames also forms part of the southern boundary. You might also see the Grand Union Canal passing through the area.

Buckinghamshire has a very old story. The name comes from the Anglo-Saxons. It means the district of Bucca's home. Bucca was an Anglo-Saxon landowner.

Buckingham Church - geograph.org.uk - 715502.jpg
Buckingham Church - geograph.org.uk - 715502.jpg
The county has existed since the time of the kingdom of Mercia. History here goes back even further to Roman times. In the 16th century, King Henry VIII was involved in local politics. Later, the English Civil War was said to have started in mid-Bucks.
Neolithic Barrow Whiteleaf Hill ed.jpg
Neolithic Barrow Whiteleaf Hill ed.jpg
During the 19th century, many people had to move to larger towns. This happened because of famine and cholera. This changed the land and made it a popular, leafy place to live.

Many different people live in the county today. The population was about 754,104 in 2011.

CheshamPondParkView.jpg
CheshamPondParkView.jpg
Milton Keynes is a very large urban area. It includes places like Bletchley and Olney. Other large settlements are Aylesbury, High Wycombe, and Chesham. The county is ethnically diverse. For example, High Wycombe has large Asian and Afro-Caribbean populations.
MKcentralplatforms.JPG
MKcentralplatforms.JPG
During the Second World War, many Polish, Czech, and Albanian people lived here too. Some of these communities still leave a mark on the area today.

People do many interesting things in Buckinghamshire. It is a place for work and for fun. Many people live here and travel to London for their jobs. The economy relies a lot on service industries.

Ashton House, Milton Keynes - geograph.org.uk - 1208078.jpg
Ashton House, Milton Keynes - geograph.org.uk - 1208078.jpg
You can find many national companies with offices in Milton Keynes. There is also Pinewood Film Studios.
Princes Risborough, ercol workshop and showroom - geograph.org.uk - 749399.jpg
Princes Risborough, ercol workshop and showroom - geograph.org.uk - 749399.jpg
People also visit the Silverstone race track. In the countryside, farming is a very important job. You can also find furniture-making in towns like High Wycombe. The county is well known for its high quality of life.

501 words

Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial county located in South East England.

Buckingham-215x334.jpg
Buckingham-215x334.jpg
It is recognized as one of the home counties. The county is bordered by several other areas. Northamptonshire sits to the north of the region. Bedfordshire is to the north-east. Hertfordshire lies to the east. Greater London is located to the south-east. Berkshire borders the south. Oxfordshire is to the west.
Buckinghamshire numbered districts 2020.svg
Buckinghamshire numbered districts 2020.svg
For local government, the county is split into two unitary authority areas. These are Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

The geography of the county can be divided into two distinct sections. The southern section features the Chiltern Hills. This area is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The hills rise from the River Thames toward the north. The northern section is a large, level expanse of land. This area is known as the Vale of Aylesbury. It serves as the southern catchment for the River Great Ouse. The hills contain the highest points in the county. Haddington Hill is the highest peak at 260 metres. Coombe Hill is the second highest at 258 metres.

Wendover Dean.jpg
Wendover Dean.jpg

Waterways play a major role in the landscape. The River Thames forms part of the southern boundary.

Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
The River Great Ouse flows through Buckingham and Milton Keynes. It rises just outside the county in Northamptonshire. The River Ouzel begins in the Chiltern Hills. It flows across the Vale of Aylesbury to meet the Great Ouse.
Buckingham Church - geograph.org.uk - 715502.jpg
Buckingham Church - geograph.org.uk - 715502.jpg
The Grand Union Canal also passes through the county. Some arms of this canal are now disused. However, the canal has been incorporated into the landscaping of Milton Keynes.

The history of Buckinghamshire is very long and complex. The name is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It means the district of Bucca's home. Bucca was an Anglo-Saxon landowner. The county has existed since the kingdom of Mercia.

Neolithic Barrow Whiteleaf Hill ed.jpg
Neolithic Barrow Whiteleaf Hill ed.jpg
History here stretches back to the Brittonic and Roman periods. The Anglo-Saxons had a massive impact on the rural geography. In the 16th century, King Henry VIII intervened in local politics. Later, the English Civil War was reputedly started by John Hampden. In the 19th century, cholera and famine caused major changes. Many people migrated to larger towns to find work. This turned the area into a popular rural idyll.

The population and economy have changed significantly over time. In 2011, the total population was 754,104.

CheshamPondParkView.jpg
CheshamPondParkView.jpg
Milton Keynes is the largest settlement in the county. It is a large urban area including Bletchley and Olney. The county is ethnically diverse today. High Wycombe is the most diverse town. It has large Asian and Afro-Caribbean populations. Many people live here and commute to London. This has led to greater local affluence. The economy relies heavily on service industries.
Ashton House, Milton Keynes - geograph.org.uk - 1208078.jpg
Ashton House, Milton Keynes - geograph.org.uk - 1208078.jpg
Many national companies have major centres in Milton Keynes.

Various industries and amenities define the local character. Agriculture remains a predominant activity in the countryside. Manufacturing includes furniture-making, which is centered in High Wycombe.

Princes Risborough, ercol workshop and showroom - geograph.org.uk - 749399.jpg
Princes Risborough, ercol workshop and showroom - geograph.org.uk - 749399.jpg
Other industries include pharmaceuticals and agricultural processing. The county is also home to Pinewood Film Studios. People visit the Silverstone race track on the border. Mineral extraction has also occurred in the area. People have quarried chalk, clay, gravel, sand, and flint. Some former quarries are now nature reserves.

Political administration has evolved through many stages. Historically, the county was a subdivision of Mercia. In 1889, the Buckinghamshire County Council was founded.

CountyHallAylesbury.jpg
CountyHallAylesbury.jpg
In 1997, Milton Keynes became a separate unitary authority. In 2020, a new Buckinghamshire Council was created. This council manages most of the ceremonial county. It replaced the previous county council and four district councils. Milton Keynes City Council manages the remaining part. The county also has ceremonial roles. A Lord Lieutenant and a High Sheriff represent the area. These roles help maintain the traditions of the county.

657 words
🖼️ Images & Media (22)
File:Buckinghamshire numbered districts 2020.svg
Buckinghamshire numbered districts 2020.svg
File:Buckingham-215x334.jpg
Buckingham-215x334.jpg
File:Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Medmenham River Thames...
File:CheshamPondParkView.jpg
CheshamPondParkView.jpg
File:CountyHallAylesbury.jpg
CountyHallAylesbury.jpg
File:Wendover Dean.jpg
Wendover Dean.jpg
File:Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes.jpg
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton...
File:Flag of Buckinghamshire.svg
Flag of Buckinghamshire.svg
File:Neolithic Barrow Whiteleaf Hill ed.jpg
Neolithic Barrow Whiteleaf Hill ed.jpg
File:Ashton House, Milton Keynes - geograph.org.uk - 1208078.jpg
Ashton House, Milton Keynes -...
File:Princes Risborough, ercol workshop and showroom - geograph.org.uk - 749399.jpg
Princes Risborough, ercol workshop and...
File:Lake at Stowe Landscape Garden with Temple in distance - geograph.org.uk - 77696.jpg
Lake at Stowe Landscape Garden with...

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