Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire or Northants , county (1991 pop. 568,900), 914 sq mi (2,367 sq km), central England. The county seat is Northampton . The terrain is undulating agricultural country, devoted to pasture and forests. The principal river is the Nene. The iron and steel industry, which flourished on the basis of local ore from the start of the 20th cent., has dwindled in significance. The county's specialization in boot and shoe production has also withered in the face of competition. The Roman roads Ermine Street and Watling Street crossed the county. In Anglo-Saxon times the area was part of the kingdom of Mercia and was probably organized as a shire in Danish times. In 1974, Northamptonshire was reorganized as a nonmetropolitan county.

Northamptonshire County in central England; the county town is Northampton. There are traces of pre-Celtic habitations as well as Roman and Anglo-Saxon settlement. The land is undulating and is drained by the Welland and Nene rivers. Much of the region is devoted to pasture, wheat growing and forestry. Products include cereals, potatoes, and sugar beet. There are extensive iron ore deposits, and iron and steel industries are important. Industries: footwear, engineering, food processing. Area: 2367sq km (914sq mi). Pop. (1996) 604,351.