South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire former metropolitan county, N central England. Created in the 1974 local government reorganization, the county embraced the Sheffield conurbation and comprised four metropolitan districts: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield. South Yorkshire was abolished in 1986, and the districts became responsible for all services except police, fire, and civil defense, which are supervised jointly.

South Yorkshire Metropolitan county in n central England. The county divides into four districts, with Barnsley its administrative centre. South Yorkshire's only city is Sheffield, but other major towns include Doncaster and Rotherham. The area includes the Peak District National Forest and the western Pennine moors. The River Don flows e across the county. Following the Industrial Revolution, the county's prosperity depended on its heavy industry, and its major industries still include iron, steel and coal mining. Area: 1561sq km (603sq mi). Pop. (1997) 1,302,400.