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North Yorkshire

geography Maturity 11-13

North Yorkshire is a big place. It is in Northern England. You can see hills and the sea.

Scarbrough-From-Olivers-Mount.jpg
Scarbrough-From-Olivers-Mount.jpg
It has many green fields. Many people visit to see the sights. Do you like to see the sea?

38 words

North Yorkshire is in Northern England.

Scarbrough-From-Olivers-Mount.jpg
Scarbrough-From-Olivers-Mount.jpg

It is a very large place. It has many hills and green fields. The North Sea is on its east side.

The Grand Hotel, Scarborough - geograph.org.uk - 4043721.jpg
The Grand Hotel, Scarborough - geograph.org.uk - 4043721.jpg

Some parts have big mountains. These are called national parks. Many people visit to see them.

Rivers flow through the land. They move from the hills to the sea. This helps water reach many places.

The city of York is a popular spot. Many people go there to visit. It is a lovely place to see.

92 words

North Yorkshire is a large county in Northern England.

Scarbrough-From-Olivers-Mount.jpg
Scarbrough-From-Olivers-Mount.jpg
It is the biggest county in England by land area. The North Sea sits on its eastern edge.
The Grand Hotel, Scarborough - geograph.org.uk - 4043721.jpg
The Grand Hotel, Scarborough - geograph.org.uk - 4043721.jpg
Many parts of the land are rural. This means they have lots of open space and farms.

The land has many different shapes. The North York Moors are in the east. The Yorkshire Dales are in the west. These are national parks. A national park is a special area of land kept safe.

Disused railway line - geograph.org.uk - 896322.jpg
Disused railway line - geograph.org.uk - 896322.jpg
The highest point is a hill called Whernside.

Rivers flow through much of the county. The River Ouse is one of the longest. It flows south to a place called the Humber estuary. Many rivers start in the high hills.

People visit North Yorkshire for many reasons. The city of York is a famous place.

Shambles shopper 8686.jpg
Shambles shopper 8686.jpg
Many people visit the coast at Scarborough too. Some people work in farming. Others work in tourism or making things. The sea port at Teesport also moves lots of goods.

184 words

North Yorkshire is a very large county in Northern England.

North Yorkshire numbered districts 2023.svg
North Yorkshire numbered districts 2023.svg
It is the largest county in the whole country by land area. To the east, the North Sea meets the coastline. The county sits near many other places like County Durham and Cumbria.
Scarbrough-From-Olivers-Mount.jpg
Scarbrough-From-Olivers-Mount.jpg
Some parts of the county are in the North East region. Other parts, like the city of York, are in Yorkshire and the Humber. Much of the land is rural and open.
A near deserted A1(M) at Leeming.jpg
A near deserted A1(M) at Leeming.jpg
This means there are many farms and very few crowds.

The land has many different shapes and heights. In the west, you will find the Yorkshire Dales. This area has many high hills and valleys. The highest point in the county is Whernside.

Disused railway line - geograph.org.uk - 896322.jpg
Disused railway line - geograph.org.uk - 896322.jpg
In the east, the North York Moors rise up. These two areas are special national parks. A national park is land that is kept safe for nature.
The Grand Hotel, Scarborough - geograph.org.uk - 4043721.jpg
The Grand Hotel, Scarborough - geograph.org.uk - 4043721.jpg
There are also hills called the Howardian Hills. You might even see the unique Roseberry Topping hill in the north east.

Water moves across the land through many different rivers. The Yorkshire Dales are the starting point for many of them. Rivers like the Aire, Swale, and Wharfe all flow through the area.

Container Terminal, Teesport - geograph.org.uk - 1453170.jpg
Container Terminal, Teesport - geograph.org.uk - 1453170.jpg
One very important river is the Ure. It later becomes the River Ouse. This river is the sixth-longest river in the United Kingdom. It flows south until it reaches the Humber estuary. The River Tees also flows through the north. It travels east through Teesdale to reach the North Sea.

History shows how the county has changed over time. North Yorkshire was formed on 1 April 1974. This happened because of a law called the Local Government Act 1972. It was made from parts of several older areas. Northallerton became the county town during this time.

County Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1583476.jpg
County Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1583476.jpg
In 1993, the county was placed in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. Some parts changed again in 1996. For example, the City of York became its own special area. Recently, on 1 April 2023, the county became a unitary authority. This means the county council has more power to help people.

Many different things happen in North Yorkshire today. Farming is a very big job for many people.

Middlesbrough, town hall - geograph.org.uk - 796556.jpg
Middlesbrough, town hall - geograph.org.uk - 796556.jpg
Many people also work in tourism because so many visitors come to see the sights. The city of York is a very famous place for travelers.
Shambles shopper 8686.jpg
Shambles shopper 8686.jpg
The North York Moors and the Dales also welcome millions of visitors each year. Some people work in making things or at power stations.
Drax Hales station site geograph-3419210-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Drax Hales station site geograph-3419210-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Even the sea port at Teesport helps the economy by moving cargo. There is always something interesting to discover here.

488 words

North Yorkshire is a ceremonial county located in Northern England.

North Yorkshire numbered districts 2023.svg
North Yorkshire numbered districts 2023.svg
It holds the title of the largest county in England by land area. The region is geographically diverse, containing both dense urban centers and vast rural landscapes. Most of the county is considered rural or super sparse. This means that about 85% of the land is not heavily built up. The county sits near several other regions and borders. To the north, it meets County Durham. To the east, the North Sea forms a natural border. It also borders the East Riding of Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cumbria, and Lancashire.
A near deserted A1(M) at Leeming.jpg
A near deserted A1(M) at Leeming.jpg

The physical landscape is shaped by complex geological features. In the west, the Yorkshire Dales form an extensive upland area. This area contains Whernside, which is the highest point in the county at 736 meters. In the east, the North York Moors rise up as another major upland feature. These two areas are both designated as national parks. A national park is a protected area used to preserve nature and scenery.

Disused railway line - geograph.org.uk - 896322.jpg
Disused railway line - geograph.org.uk - 896322.jpg
Other notable landforms include the Howardian Hills and the Vale of Pickering. The Vale of Pickering is a low area separated from the main plains by the hills. In the north east, a distinctive hill called Roseberry Topping stands out. The central part of the county features wide plains known as the Vale of Mowbray and the Vale of York.

Water systems play a vital role in the geography of North Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Dales serve as the source for many major rivers. These include the Aire, Lune, Ribble, Swale, Ure, and Wharfe. The River Ure eventually meets Ouse Gill beck. At this point, it becomes the River Ouse. The Ouse is the sixth-longest river in the United Kingdom. It flows south through the county toward the Humber estuary.

Container Terminal, Teesport - geograph.org.uk - 1453170.jpg
Container Terminal, Teesport - geograph.org.uk - 1453170.jpg
The River Tees is another major waterway. It forms part of the border with County Durham in its lower reaches. The river flows east through Teesdale before reaching the North Sea near Redcar. The North York Moors also act as a catchment area for rivers like the Leven, the Esk, and the Rye.

The history of the county involves several shifts in local government. North Yorkshire was officially formed on 1 April 1974. This change resulted from the Local Government Act 1972. It was created by combining parts of the North, West, and East Ridings of Yorkshire. Northallerton was established as the county town.

County Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1583476.jpg
County Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1583476.jpg
In 1993, the county was placed within the Yorkshire and the Humber region. Some areas, such as Middlesbrough and Redcar, were part of Cleveland for twenty-two years. When Cleveland was abolished in 1996, these areas became separate unitary authorities. On 1 April 2023, the non-metropolitan county became a unitary authority itself. This change gave the county council more power to act as a district council.

Climate patterns in North Yorkshire are generally temperate and oceanic. However, there are significant variations depending on the specific location. The upper Pennines near the border experience a subarctic climate. The western parts of the county, like the upper Dales, are among the wettest in England. In contrast, the Vale of Mowbray is one of the driest areas in the UK.

Scarbrough-From-Olivers-Mount.jpg
Scarbrough-From-Olivers-Mount.jpg
Summer temperatures average around 22 °C, but heat waves can push highs above 30 °C. Winter lows average about 1 °C. Snow can stay on the ground in the Moors and Pennines for 45 to 75 days each year. Sunshine is most common along the coast, averaging 1,650 hours annually.

The economy of North Yorkshire is diverse and relies on several sectors. Agriculture is a primary source of employment in many rural areas. Tourism is also a massive contributor to the local economy. For example, the North York Moors receive about 7.93 million visitors every year. This generates £647 million and supports over 10,900 full-time jobs.

Shambles shopper 8686.jpg
Shambles shopper 8686.jpg
The city of York is a major destination, receiving 6.9 million visitors annually. These visitors contribute £564 million to the economy. Other economic activities include manufacturing and power generation. The Drax Power Station has the highest generating capacity in the UK.
Drax Hales station site geograph-3419210-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Drax Hales station site geograph-3419210-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Additionally, the Teesport sea port handles large amounts of cargo.

Governance in the region is organized through various combined authorities. The city of York and North Yorkshire form a combined authority. They held their first meeting on 22 January 2024. This authority assumed its powers on 1 February 2024.

Middlesbrough, town hall - geograph.org.uk - 796556.jpg
Middlesbrough, town hall - geograph.org.uk - 796556.jpg
The first mayor for this combined authority was elected in May 2024. Another group, the Tees Valley Combined Authority, includes Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees. This system helps different local authorities work together on large projects. The management of these areas is often centered around County Hall in Northallerton.

825 words
🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:North Yorkshire numbered districts 2023.svg
North Yorkshire numbered districts 2023.svg
File:Disused railway line - geograph.org.uk - 896322.jpg
Disused railway line - geograph.org.uk -...
File:County Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1583476.jpg
County Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1583476.jpg
File:Middlesbrough, town hall - geograph.org.uk - 796556.jpg
Middlesbrough, town hall -...
File:Container Terminal, Teesport - geograph.org.uk - 1453170.jpg
Container Terminal, Teesport -...
File:Drax Hales station site geograph-3419210-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Drax Hales station site...
File:Shambles shopper 8686.jpg
Shambles shopper 8686.jpg
File:A near deserted A1(M) at Leeming.jpg
A near deserted A1(M) at Leeming.jpg
File:North yorkshire moors railway map.gif
North yorkshire moors railway map.gif
File:The A1(M) at Dishforth.jpg
The A1(M) at Dishforth.jpg
File:Middlesbrough College - geograph.org.uk - 5331852.jpg
Middlesbrough College - geograph.org.uk -...
File:Fountains Abbey panorama 2016 006.jpg
Fountains Abbey panorama 2016 006.jpg

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