II.

Land and Resources

Shropshire is divided by the River Severn, which rises in Powys, flows through Shrewsbury, and then south-east to the county of Hereford and Worcester. To the south and west of the river, the county comprises a continuation of the Welsh mountain ranges, and is made up of a series of ridges, running north-east to south-west—including Stiperstones, the Long Mynd, the Caradoc Hills, Wenlock Edge, and the Clee Hills. The last named reaches a height of 546 m (1,792 ft); Brown Clee is the highest point. The Caradoc Hills terminate on the north side of the Severn in The Wrekin, a hill that rises from the plain to a height of 407 m (1,334 ft). These ridges consist variously of Cambrian rocks, slate, gritstone, sandstone, and limestone. To the north and east of the Severn, the county consists of gently undulating lowlands; in the far north-west there is an area of marshland, peat-bogs, and small lakes.

The principal river of Shropshire is the Severn, which is now barely navigable within the county, although formerly boats could sail as far north as Shrewsbury. Its tributaries include the Vyrnwy, the Perry, the Tern, and the Worfe. The River Teme flows from west to east across the southern part of Shropshire, and the Dee forms a part of the northern boundary with Cheshire. Canals link the Severn with the Dee, the Mersey, and the Stour. The Shropshire Union Canal crosses the eastern side of the county. The Countryside Agency has designated the Shropshire Hills in the south-west of the county as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The climate of Shropshire is generally moderate. Average annual rainfall is in the region of 760 to 1,000 mm (30 to 40 in).