Essex (England)

Essex county (1991 pop. 1,495,600), 1,520 sq mi (3,938 sq km) SE England, on the Thames River and the North Sea, one of the "Home Counties" of London. Chelmsford is the county seat. The land rises from the low, irregular coastline to undulating pastoral country. Streams and salt marshes are plentiful. The chief crops of Essex are wheat, barley, sugar beets, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables. There is market gardening for London and some dairy and sheep farming. Oyster fisheries are also important. Industries include petroleum refining, chemicals, machinery, textiles, cement, processed foods, electrical goods, and nuclear power generation. Essex was once part of the kingdom of the East Saxons; Roman and Saxon remains are at Colchester and Maldon . Popular resorts line the coast.

Essex County in se England; the county town is Chelmsford. Colonized by the Romans at Colchester, the Anglo-Saxons invaded it in the 5th century, and later came under Danish control. Low lying on the e coast, the land rises to the nw, providing pasture for dairy and sheep farming. Wheat, barley, and sugar beet are grown. Industries: machinery, electrical goods. Area: 3674sq km (1419sq mi). Pop. (1997 est.) 1,306,200.

Essex a county in the south-east of England.
Essex girl a derogatory term applied to a type of young woman, supposedly to be found in and around Essex, and variously characterized as unintelligent, promiscuous, and materialistic. While Essex man is regarded primarily as a type of political supporter, Essex girl is seen primarily in social terms, and is typically the butt of politically incorrect jokes.

Essex man is characterized as a brash, amoral, self-made young businessman, of right-wing views and few or no cultural or intellectual interests, devoted to the acquisition of goods and material wealth.