2015-08-12
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Covers an area of 8,600 km2 and is predominantly rural with the moorlands and coastal plains of Northumberalnd and Durham, through which flow the rivers Tyne, Wear and Teese.
Newcasle upon Tyne is the main regional and commercial centre (самовары).
The region has seen dramatic change over recent decades. Coalmining and steel production have reduced dramatically. Manufacturing as a whole accounts for about a quarter of the regions output, compared to less than a fifth at the UK level.
One of the major plants– Nissan car plant in Sunderland.
The shipbuilding industry that used to dominate Sunderland (once the largest shipbuilding city in the world) & Tyneside, has suffered decline in the 2nd half of the 20th c.
The region’s economy includes: electronic component manufacturing, offshore engineering, pharmaceuticals, microelectronics. LG and Atmel. The chemicals industry: Huntsman Corporation, Dupont, BASF.
Trade. Main seaports – Tees, Hartlepool and the Port of Tyne.
The rivers of Eden, Derwent, Tyne and Tweed are all important salmon fisheries.
Sheep farming is the main agricultural activity in this region.
Timber production: the Kielder Forest is a major timber producer – the largest man-made woodland in Europe.
