Dorset

Dorset (pronounced Dorsit, sometimes in the past called Dorsetshire) is a county in the southwest of England, on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester, situated in the south of the county at {{coor dms|50|43|00|N|02|26|00|W|}}. Between its extreme points Dorset measures 50 miles (80 km) from east to west and 40 miles (64 km) north to south, and has an area of 1,024 square miles (2,653 km²). Dorset borders Devon to the west, Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north-east and Hampshire to the east. The county is largely rural with a low population and population density. Dorset's motto is Who's Afear'd.

Trade, industry and tourism

The principal industry in Dorset has traditionally been agriculture. It has not, however, been the largest employer for many decades as mechanisation has substantially reduced the number of workers required. Agriculture has become less profitable in recent years and the industry has declined further. In 2002, 1,903 km² of the county was in agricultural use, down from 1,986 km² in 1989, although the figure has fluctuated somewhat. Cattle, the principal animal stock in the county, fell from 240,413 to 178,328 in the same period, the dairy herds falling from 102,589 to 73,476. Sheep and pig farming has declined in a similar fashion.

Related Topics:
Mechanisation - 2002 - 1989 - Cattle - Dairy - Sheep - Pig

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Tourism has grown as a major industry in Dorset since the early 19th century. 4.2 million British tourists and 260,000 foreign tourists visited the county in 2002, spending a combined total of £768 million. Foreign tourism declined in 1999 (310,000, down from 410,000 in 1998), and again in 2002 (down from 320,000), the latter decline being blamed on the effects of the global economy and security at that time.

Related Topics:
Tourism - 19th century - 2002 - £ - 1999 - 1998

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Dorset has little manufacturing industry, at 14.6% of employment (compared to 18.8% for the UK), and is ranked 30th out the 34 English counties. The gross domestic product for the county is 84% that of the national average.

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Dorset will hold the only Olympic event in 2012 not held in London - sailing - at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in Portland Harbour. The seas around Weymouth and Portland are the best sailing waters in northern Europe, which is why the Sailing Academy was built there.

Related Topics:
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy - Portland Harbour - Weymouth and Portland

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