East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, often abbreviated to the East Riding or East Yorkshire, is a ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It borders North Yorkshire to the north and west, South Yorkshire to the south-west, and Lincolnshire to the south across the Humber Estuary. The city of Kingston upon Hull is the largest settlement.
Geography
The county has an area of 2,479 km2 (957 sq mi) and a population of 600,259. Kingston upon Hull is by far the largest settlement, with a population of 267,014, and is a major port and the county's economic and transport centre. The rest of the county is largely rural, and the next largest towns are the seaside resort of Bridlington (35,369) and the historic town of Beverley (30,351). The county is governed by two unitary authorities, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council. It takes its name from the East Riding, a historic subdivision of Yorkshire.
In the east of the county, the low-lying plain of Holderness is enclosed by a crescent of low chalk hills, the Yorkshire Wolds. The Wolds meet the sea at Flamborough Head, a chalk headland, while the Holderness coast to the south is characterized by clay cliffs. The west of the county is part of the Vale of York, the wide plain of the River Ure/Ouse; the south-west is part of the Humberhead Levels.
Education
The East Riding local education authority supports 150 schools: 131 primary schools and 19 secondary schools. The total net spending per head of the population on education rose from £578.08 in 2006–07 to £632.88 in 2007–08. In 2009, primary school test results showed a slide down the national performance table for the East Riding authority, dropping eight places in the national league table to 28th after other education authorities improved more in the tests.
At the secondary level, the authority slipped seven places to 39th out of 149 authorities, despite producing the best set of General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) results since the inception of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council in 1996. The percentage of students achieving five or more good GCSEs, at grades A*–C including maths and English, rose to 52.5 per cent, from 50.8 per cent in 2007. This is above the national average of 47.6 per cent. Bishop Burton is the location of Bishop Burton College, a further education and higher education college specializing in agriculture and equine studies. Beverley Grammar School, which was founded around 700 AD, is widely renowned for being the oldest continuously operating state school in England.
Economy
The economy of the East Riding of Yorkshire is diverse and includes industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and tourism. The region is known for its high-quality food and drink products, including locally produced cheeses, meats, and seafood.
The county's coastline is also a popular destination for tourists, with a number of seaside resorts and attractions.
Culture
The East Riding of Yorkshire has a rich cultural heritage, with a number of historic buildings and attractions. The county is home to a number of medieval churches, including the famous Beverley Minster, which dates back to the 13th century.
The region is also known for its traditional music and dance, with a number of festivals and events held throughout the year.
Transport
The East Riding of Yorkshire is well-connected by road, rail, and air. The county is served by the A1(M) motorway, which connects it to the rest of the UK's road network. The region is also home to a number of railway stations, with services to London, Manchester, and other major cities.
The county is served by Humberside Airport, which offers flights to destinations across Europe.
