England - Manufacturing, Services, Agriculture

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Heavy industries (iron and steel, textiles, and shipbuilding) proliferated in the northeastern counties because of the proximity of coal and iron ore deposits. During the 1930s the Great Depression and foreign competition contributed to a decrease in the production of manufactured goods and an increase in unemployment in the industrial north. The unemployed from these northern counties moved south to London and the surrounding counties. 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Heavy industries (iron and steel, textiles, and shipbuilding) proliferated in the northeastern counties because of the proximity of coal and iron ore deposits. During the 1930s the Great Depression and foreign competition contributed to a decrease in the production of manufactured goods and an increase in unemployment in the industrial north. The unemployed from these northern counties moved south to London and the surrounding counties. The southeast"/> <meta property="og:type" content="ARTICLE"/> <meta property="og:title" content="England - Manufacturing, Services, Agriculture | Britannica"/> <meta property="og:description" content="England - Manufacturing, Services, Agriculture: The economy of England was mainly agricultural until the 18th century, but the Industrial Revolution caused it to evolve gradually into a highly urbanized and industrial region during the 18th and 19th centuries. Heavy industries (iron and steel, textiles, and shipbuilding) proliferated in the northeastern counties because of the proximity of coal and iron ore deposits. During the 1930s the Great Depression and foreign competition contributed to a decrease in the production of manufactured goods and an increase in unemployment in the industrial north. The unemployed from these northern counties moved south to London and the surrounding counties. 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class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <main> <div class="md-page-wrapper"> <div id="content" class="md-content"> <div class="md-article-container template-desktop infinite-pagination"> <div class="infinite-scroll-container article last"> <article class="article-content container-lg qa-content px-0 pt-0 pb-40 py-lg-20 content md-expanded" data-topic-id="700965"> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col-auto"> <div class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/England">England</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/place/England">Introduction & Quick Facts</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref44500"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England#ref44500">Land</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44501"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England#ref44501">Relief</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44502"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Drainage">Drainage</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44503"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Drainage#ref44503">Soils</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44504"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Drainage#ref44504">Climate</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44505"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Drainage#ref44505">Plant and animal life</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref44507"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/People">People</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44508"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/People#ref44508">Ethnic groups and languages</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44518"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/People#ref44518">Religion</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref225309"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/People#ref225309">Settlement patterns</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44509"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Traditional-regions">Traditional regions</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44510"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Traditional-regions#ref44510">The South West</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44511"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Traditional-regions#ref44511">The South East</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44512"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Traditional-regions#ref44512">The West Midlands</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44513"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/The-East-Midlands">The East Midlands</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44514"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/The-East-Midlands#ref44514">East Anglia</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44515"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/The-East-Midlands#ref44515">The North West</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44516"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/The-East-Midlands#ref44516">Yorkshire</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44517"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/The-East-Midlands#ref44517">The North East</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44519"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/The-East-Midlands#ref44519">Demographic trends</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref44520"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Economy">Economy</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44522"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Economy#ref44522">Agriculture, forestry, and fishing</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44523"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Economy#ref44523">Major crops</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44525"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Economy#ref44525">Livestock</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44526"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Economy#ref44526">Forestry</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44527"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Economy#ref44527">Fishing</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44521"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Resources-and-power">Resources and power</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44528"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Resources-and-power#ref44528">Manufacturing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref225310"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Resources-and-power#ref225310">Finance</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref215125"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Resources-and-power#ref215125">Services</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44529"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Resources-and-power#ref44529">Transportation</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref44530"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Government-and-society">Government and society</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref225311"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Government-and-society#ref225311">Constitutional framework</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref215126"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Government-and-society#ref215126">Local government</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref215127"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Government-and-society#ref215127">Historic counties</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref215128"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Geographic-counties">Geographic counties</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref215129"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Geographic-counties#ref215129">Administrative counties and districts</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref215130"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Geographic-counties#ref215130">Unitary authorities</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref215131"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Geographic-counties#ref215131">Metropolitan counties and districts</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref215132"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Geographic-counties#ref215132">Greater London</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref215133"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Geographic-counties#ref215133">Parishes and towns</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44532"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Justice">Justice</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref225312"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Justice#ref225312">Political process</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44534"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Justice#ref44534">Health and welfare</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref225313"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Housing">Housing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44533"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Housing#ref44533">Education</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref44535"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Cultural-life">Cultural life</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref225314"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Cultural-life#ref225314">Daily life and social customs</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref225315"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/The-arts">The arts</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44536"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/The-arts#ref44536">Literature</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44537"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Architecture">Architecture</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44538" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Visual-arts">Visual arts</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref44539"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Visual-arts#ref44539">Sculpture</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref44540"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Visual-arts#ref44540">Painting</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref44541" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Performing-arts">Performing arts</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref44542"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Performing-arts#ref44542">Theatre</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref44543"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Performing-arts#ref44543">Film</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref44544"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Music">Music</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref44545"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Music#ref44545">Dance</a></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44546"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Cultural-institutions">Cultural institutions</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref44547"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Cultural-institutions#ref44547">Sports and recreation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref225316"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/Cultural-institutions#ref225316">Media and publishing</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref215134"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/England/History">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/England/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/England">Facts & Stats</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/England/images-videos">Images & Videos</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/44/344-050-94536674/Flag-England.jpg" data-href="/media/1/700965/61159" class="media-overlay-link 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Former Deputy Editor, <i>The Guardian, </i>London. Author of <i>Crisis in the British Press.</i></div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> William Harford Thomas</span>, <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Peter-Kellner/5078" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Peter Kellner</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Peter Kellner is the former president of YouGov PLC and the author of <em>Democracy: 1,000 Years in Pursuit of British Liberty</em> and others.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Peter Kellner</span><span class="text-gray-700 mx-5">•</span><a class="see-all border-gray-700 gtm-byline" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/England/additional-info#contributors">All</a> </div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-23T00:00:00CST" >Nov 23, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/England/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/700965/b2598adb141d529df1ed0a1beec0a450" rel="nofollow">Man City's statistics hit new low after Tottenham humiliation</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 23, 2024, 3:31 PM ET (AP) <button class="btn btn-link d-inline p-0 font-12 js-toggle-recent-news"> <span class="text-gray-500">...</span><span>(Show more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/700965/18dd0af292ca9aa705366c52de8f2585" rel="nofollow">Guardiola signs a 2-year contract extension at Man City and eyes 'more trophies'</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 21, 2024, 6:38 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/700965/dc3fd3640acb1628cd85d43b8413fad0" rel="nofollow">Thousands of UK farmers descend on Parliament to protest a tax they say will ruin family farms</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 19, 2024, 11:46 AM ET (AP) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/700965/dce7600e0dba5de59b68bf379307ef9c" rel="nofollow">Poultry infected with bird flu found on commercial farm in England</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 17, 2024, 6:17 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/700965/79b3a833485e0dd5c9ab4314a112d01f" rel="nofollow">Man and four teenagers convicted of murdering two boys in mistaken identity case</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 15, 2024, 11:51 AM ET (AP) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><span class="marker h4"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref44520"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The economy of England was mainly agricultural until the 18th century, but the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Industrial-Revolution" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Industrial Revolution</a> caused it to evolve gradually into a highly urbanized and industrial region during the 18th and 19th centuries. Heavy industries (iron and steel, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/textile" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">textiles</a>, and shipbuilding) <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="proliferated" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/proliferated" data-type="EB">proliferated</a> in the northeastern counties because of the proximity of coal and iron ore deposits. During the 1930s the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Great-Depression" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Great Depression</a> and foreign competition contributed to a decrease in the production of manufactured goods and an increase in unemployment in the industrial north. The unemployed from these northern counties moved south to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/London" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">London</a> and the surrounding counties. The southeast became urbanized and industrialized, with automotive, chemical, electrical, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/machine-tool" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">machine tool</a> manufactures as the leading industries. An increase in population and urban growth during the 20th century caused a significant drop in the acreage of farms in England, but the geographic counties of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Cornwall-unitary-authority-England" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Cornwall</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Devon" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Devon</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kent-historical-kingdom-England" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Kent</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lincolnshire" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lincolnshire</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Somerset-county-England" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Somerset</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Yorkshire" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">North Yorkshire</a> have remained largely agricultural.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Another period of industrial decline during the late 20th century brought the virtual collapse of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/coal-mining" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">coal mining</a> and dramatic job losses in iron and steel production, shipbuilding, and textile <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/manufacturing" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">manufacturing</a>. The decline of these industries particularly hurt the economies of the north and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Midlands" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Midlands</a>, while the south remained relatively prosperous. By the beginning of the 21st century, England’s economy was firmly dominated by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/service-industry" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">service sector</a>, notably banking and other financial services, retail, distribution, media and entertainment, education, health care, hotels, and restaurants.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span> <section data-level="2" id="ref44522"><h2 class="h2">Agriculture, forestry, and fishing</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The physical <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="environment" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/environment" data-type="MW">environment</a> and natural resources of England are more favourable to agricultural development than those of other parts of the United Kingdom. A greater proportion of the land consists of lowlands with good soils where the climate is <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="conducive" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conducive" data-type="MW">conducive</a> to grass or crop growing. The majority of English farms are small, most holdings being less than 250 acres (100 hectares). Nonetheless, they are highly mechanized.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span> <section data-level="3" id="ref44523"><h2 class="h3">Major crops</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Wheat, the chief grain crop, is grown in the drier, sunnier counties of eastern and southern England. Barley is grown mainly for livestock feed and for malting and other industrial markets. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/corn-plant" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Corn</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/rye" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">rye</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/oats" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">oats</a>, and rapeseed (the source of canola oil) are also grown. Principal <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/potato" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">potato</a>-growing areas are the fenlands of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Norfolk-county-England" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Norfolk</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Cambridgeshire" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Cambridgeshire</a>, and Lincolnshire; the clay soils of Lincolnshire and East Riding of Yorkshire; and the peats of North Yorkshire. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/sugar-beet" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sugar beet</a> production depends heavily on government subsidy because of competition from imported cane sugar. Legumes and grasses such as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/alfalfa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">alfalfa</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/clover-plant" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">clover</a> are grown for feeding livestock.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The production of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, known in England as market gardening, is often <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="done" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/done" data-type="EB">done</a> in greenhouses and is found within easy trucking distance of large towns, the proximity of a market being of more consequence than climatic considerations. The fertile (clay and limestone) soil of Kent has always been conducive to fruit growing; there cultivation was first established on a commercial scale in the 16th century. Kent is a major supplier of fruits and vegetables (apples, pears, black currants, cauliflowers, and cabbages). <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Worcestershire-county-England" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Worcestershire</a> is noted for its plums, and Somerset and Devon specialize in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/cider" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">cider</a> apples.</p><div class="module-spacing"> </div><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span></section> <section data-level="3" id="ref44525"><h2 class="h3"><span id="ref483728"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/livestock" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Livestock</a></h2> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The agriculture of England, though to a lesser extent than in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Wales" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Wales</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Scotland" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Scotland</a>, is primarily concerned with livestock husbandry and, in particular, with milk production. Dairying is important in every county, though the main concentrations are in western England. The English have a strong tradition of cattle breeding, which benefited greatly from improved practices after <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">World War II</a>. Higher-yielding dairy breeds, including the Frisian and Ayrshire, have become more numerous than the once-dominant Shorthorn.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Domestic production supplies most of the country’s beef needs. Special beef breeds, for which <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Great-Britain-island-Europe" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Britain</a> is famous, are raised throughout the country, but long-established specialist areas retain their importance. Cattle are often moved from one region to another for raising, storing, and final fattening. The beef industry suffered costly <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="setbacks" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/setbacks" data-type="EB">setbacks</a> in the late 1990s because of concerns over an outbreak of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/bovine-spongiform-encephalopathy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">bovine spongiform encephalopathy</a> (“mad cow disease”).</p><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/foot-and-mouth-disease" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">foot-and-mouth disease</a> outbreak in 2001 had a dire effect on the livestock industry, forcing the slaughter of several million animals—mostly sheep but also cattle, pigs, and other animals—and causing severe losses for agriculture. Although cases occurred in all parts of the country, the outbreak was particularly disastrous for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Cumbria" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Cumbria</a>, where more than two-fifths of the cases occurred.</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Hill sheep are bred in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Pennines" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Pennines</a>, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-District-region-and-national-park-England" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Lake District</a>, and the southwestern peninsula, areas where sheep are occasionally the main source of a farmer’s income but frequently of subsidiary importance to cattle. The production of lambs for meat rather than wool is the main concern of English sheep farmers. Grass-fed breeds, <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="yielding" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/yielding" data-type="EB">yielding</a> lean meat, are much more important than the large breeds, raised on arable land, that were characteristic of the 19th century.</p><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD10 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">While specialist pig farms are rare, they do exist, supplying the large sausage and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/bacon" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">bacon</a> companies. Poultry are kept in small numbers on most farms, but specialist poultry farms, notably in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lancashire-county-England" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Lancashire</a> and in the southeastern counties serving the London market, have increased.</p><span class="marker MOD10 mod-inline"></span></section> <section data-level="3" id="ref44526"><h2 class="h3">Forestry</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD11 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Many forests in England are managed by the Forest Commission, which, besides promoting timber production, also emphasizes wildlife preservation. During the 18th and 19th centuries timber was heavily used by the iron-and-steel and shipbuilding industries. Presently demand for timber continues in construction and furniture industries, but, with the government’s afforestation program in effect, new coniferous forests are beginning to dot the landscape.</p><span class="marker MOD11 mod-inline"></span></section> <section data-level="3" id="ref44527"><h2 class="h3">Fishing</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD12 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Freshwater-England" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Freshwater</a> fish, including bream, carp, perch, <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="pike" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/pike" data-type="EB">pike</a>, and roach, are available in the rivers of eastern England. Cod, haddock, whiting, herring, plaice, halibut, turbot, and sole are caught in the North and Irish seas. Several ports, including <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lowestoft" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lowestoft</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Great-Yarmouth-England" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Great Yarmouth</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Grimsby" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Grimsby</a>, Bridlington, and Fleetwood, have freezing and processing plants nearby. Oyster farms are located along the creeks and estuaries in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Essex-Anglo-Saxon-kingdom-England" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Essex</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/rainbow-trout" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">rainbow trout</a> farming has become popular. Salmon fishing is prohibited in waters more than 6 miles (10 km) from the coasts of England.</p><span class="marker MOD12 mod-inline"></span></section></section> </section><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":6,"pagesTotal":19,"pageId":700965,"pageLength":1002,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"STATE_PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":6,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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England - Manufacturing, Services, Agriculture | Britannica