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Buckinghamshire

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Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial county located in South East England.

Buckingham-215x334
Buckingham-215x334

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
Buckinghamshire numbered districts 2020

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
Wendover Dean

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
Medmenham River Thames geograph-4090549-by-Ben-Brooksbank

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
Buckingham Church - geograph.org.uk - 715502

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
Neolithic Barrow Whiteleaf Hill ed

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
CheshamPondParkView

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
Ashton House, Milton Keynes - geograph.org.uk - 1208078

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
Princes Risborough, ercol workshop and showroom - geograph.org.uk - 749399

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
CountyHallAylesbury

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.

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🖼️ 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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