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	County Town: Hereford County Population: 355,000 (estimate)
	Herefordshire is guarded on three sides by hills, the Malvern Hills in the East, the Black Mountains in the west and the hills of Shropshire to the North, the Forest of Dean occupies a large plateau to the south. Carved out by the River Wye, the Wye Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Entering the county from the Welsh border in the west, the Wye runs eastwards to Hereford, before winding its way southwards, to Ross-on-Wye and Symond's Yat.
	Although some prehistoric settlement occurred in the area the first major occupants were Anglo-Saxons, who arrived in the 7th century. In the 8th century King Offa of Mercia built 'Offa's Dyke' earthworks as a defence against the Welsh. This area of England was constantly threatened by the Welsh, and during the 10th century, frequent Viking raids also took place. The arrival of the Normans in 1067 saw castles being built in the north and southwest of the county to defend against these attacks.
	Herefordshire is now a prosperous agricultural district renowned for its cattle, with their red coats and white faces, Hereford cattle are one of the world's major breeds of beef cattle. The area is also a famous cider-making centre, with many apple orchards spread throughout the hills of the county.
	The county town of Herefordshire is the historic cathedral city of Hereford, where a recently built exhibition centre is now home to the Mappa Mundi and the world's largest chained library.
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