North Yorkshire
Main towns: North Yorkshire includes the urban areas of Harrogate, Whitby and Scarborough. There are seven district and borough councils - Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Selby and Scarborough. York, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland are unitary authorities within north Yorkshire.
Demographics: North Yorkshire is the largest county in England, covering around 3,103 square miles. Of the 1million population, more than half live in areas controlled by North Yorkshire County Council, outside of the four main unitary areas. Within the county council region itself, only 21 per cent live in large towns - the majority in the small urban areas and villages.
The population density is low - 73 schools have less than 50 pupils and 166 have less than 100. Public sector organisations face challenges in providing consistently good quality and accessible services to dispersed communities over such a wide geographical area.
There is a small but growing black minority ethnic population, making up 1.1 per cent of the total. There are significant groups in Scarborough and Skipton but also small and dispersed communities.
The population is projected to grow by 1.8 per cent by 2010, with the main increase in people over the age of 65 years including a projected growth of 36.3 per cent in people over the age of 85 years. This growing elderly population places increasing pressures on delivery of social care services.
The quality of life in North Yorkshire is generally good but there are pockets of deprivation in Scarborough, Selby and Colburn and areas of rural poverty.
Scarborough has seven areas that fall within the worst 10 per cent of deprived areas nationally.
Unemployment at 1.6 per cent is significantly below the national average of 2.7 per cent but wages are low.
The main industries centre on tourism and agriculture. Small businesses dominate, with 85 per cent of businesses employing fewer than ten people, and there are high levels of self-employment.
There is zero unemployment in some areas such as Northallerton where the main Council offices are located. Educational attainment is high. Young people remain in education longer and tend to move out of the county. This makes it difficult for the public sector to recruit and retain young staff.
There are some problems with coastal erosion.
Population: North Yorkshire has an estimated population of just over 1million people.
Places of Interest: The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks, The county is a major tourist area attracting large numbers of visitors to the countryside and coastal resorts such as Whitby and Scarborough.
Yorkshire has over 130 miles of seashore, ranging from sheltered coves to spectacular bays.
St Nicholas Fields Local Nature Reserve is a 24-acre site with a butterfly walk and a mini Stonehenge called The Dragon Stones. The park is only 1 mile from York city centre and is rich in wildlife.
House/Flat Prices: The average property price in North Yorkshire, including houses and flats, is £175, 000. Five years ago, in February 2004, the figure stood at £160,300.
Planning issues: North Yorkshire is the home of Catterick Garrison which has a military population of over 13,000. Government plans to significantly expand the garrison, which include substantial infrastructure development and a large increase in the garrison population, have major economic and social implications for the surrounding area.
House prices are high and there is significant demand for second homes leading to a significant lack of affordable housing.