Norfolk

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Norfolk is situated on the east coast of England and enjoys a pleasant climate, with more sun and less rain on average than the rest of the country. Bordered by Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and Suffolk, it has a population of 750,000 and covers an area of 2,054 square miles (5,320 sq km). The county town is Norwich.

In Norfolk there are the popular towns of Great Yarmouth, Horsey, King's Lynn, Norwich, Sandringham and Sheringham.

Geography
The landscape is flat with fertile farms. The county has a long, low coast bordering on the North Sea and the Wash. The principal rivers are the Ouse, the Bure, the Yare and its tributary the Wensum, and the Waveney. A series of connected shallow lakes, famously known as The Broads, occupies the eastern portion of the county and is a favourite tourist destination.Popluar towns include Great Yarmouth, Horsey, King's Lynn, Norwich, Sandringham and Sheringham.

Industry
Norfolk produces cereal and root crops and supports extensive breeding of cattle and poultry. Fishing, the manufacture of agricultural machinery, and light industries are also important. The Broads attract a large number of visitors each year both for boating holidays and for the abundant wildlife the wetlands support.

History
Norfolk has been inhabited from prehistoric times and the flint mines at Grimes Caves date from the Neolithic period. the Iceni, inhabited the county from the first century BC, to the end of the first century AD. The Iceni revolted against the Roman invasion in 47 AD, and again in 60AD led by Boudica.The Romans built camps and roads in the county, the Anglo-Saxons settled here. After the Anglo-Saxon invasion of England, Norfolk became a part of the kingdom of East Anglia, the home of the "north folk" of that region. In the 9th century the region again came under attack, this time from Vikings who killed the king, Edmund the Martyr and ended the Kingdom's existance. The Normans divided the area between them and built many castles and fortified homes. Many fine churches were built by wealthy wool merchants. During the high and late Middle Ages the county developed arable agriculture and woolen industries. The economy was in decline by the time of the Black Death, which dramatically reduced the population in 1349. By the end of the 16th century, Norwich was second only to London in size and wealth, with a population of around 15,000.In the 20th century the county developed a role in aviation. The first development in airfields came with the First World War; there was then a massive expansion during the Second World War with the growth of the Royal Air Force and the influx of the American USAAF 8th Air Force which operated from many Norfolk airfields.

Places of Interest
Angles Way, Blickling Hall, Bressingham Steam Museum, Bure Valley Path, Bure Valley Railway, Castle Acre Priory, City of Norwich Aviation Museum, East Anglian Railway Museum, Felbrigg Hall, Fen Rivers Way, Great Eastern Pingo Trail, Halvergate Marshes, Holkham Hall, Marriott's Way, Mid-Norfolk Railway, Nar Valley Way, Norfolk wherry, North Norfolk Coastal Path, North Norfolk Heritage Coast, North Norfolk Railway, Norwich Castle Museum, Oxburgh Hall, Paston Way, Peddars Way, RSPB Breydon Water, RSPB Snettisham, RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, RSPB Titchwell Marsh, Sheringham Park, Tas Valley Way, The Norfolk Broads, Walsingham Abbey and Shrine, Weavers Way, Wymondham Abbey.