Essex
This article is about the county of Essex in England. For other places named Essex, see Essex (disambiguation).
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Essex is a county located northeast of London, part of the East of England region. Because of its proximity to London and the economic magnetism which that city exerts, many of Essex's settlements function as dormitory towns or villages where London workers raise their families. In 1991 Essex had a population of 1,528,600.
The name of the county is derived from the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Essex.
In 2001 Essex had a population of 1,310,900, the apparent decline from 1,528,600 in 1991 being explained entirely by the separation of the districts of Southend-on-Sea (160,300) and Thurrock (143,000) as unitary authority areas.
Until 1965 the county included also the present-day London boroughs of Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge, Waltham Forest and Newham (except for the small enclave of North Woolwich, formerly in Kent).
The Lakeside shopping centre at Thurrock was one of England's first out-of-town shopping centres; it remains popular despite congestion on the nearby M25 motorway and competition from newer, more glamorous destinations.
The reputation of the County has been somewhat dirtied in recent years by rather unfortunate associations. White stilettos and a garish fashion sense have come to represent the vulgar "Essex Girl", while the Ford Escort has come to represent the carnal "Essex Man". The Essex stereotype was coined in the 1980s as the County homed the many upwardly-mobile children of the Thatcher generation, parodied by the Harry Enfield character "Loadsa Money". These stereotpyes do not reflect the the County's history or its "Little England" atmosphere.
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Towns and villages
The port of Tilbury remains important and, despite the road crossing to Dartford in Kent across the River Thames, a pedestrian ferry to Gravesend still operates from Tilbury during limited hours.
Essex also contains Stansted Airport and several smaller aerodromes that have evolved from bomber or fighter bases constructed during World War II.
See also
External links
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