Shropshire

Shropshire, or SALOP, a county of England on the Welsh border, is bounded N. by Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Cheshire, W. by Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire, and Denbighshire, S. by Worcestershire and Herefordshire, and E. by Staffordshire. It has an area of 1,314 square miles, being divided almost in two by the Severn running north-west to south-east. The lower portion is rugged and bleak, the Clee Hills, the Stiperstone rising to nearly 2,000 feet. This district, however, pastures large flocks of a well-known breed of sheep, and is very rich in lead, coal, iron, salt, and other minerals. The level plains to the north are well suited to arable and dairy farms. Hops are grown in the south. Glass, earthenware, carpets, gloves, and hardware are the chief manufactures. Besides the capital, Shrewsbury, the most important towns are Ludlow, Bridgenorth, Much Wenlock, Wem, Shiffnal, and Bishop's Castle. The county returns four members to Parliament.