Kent

Kent is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South East England. It is bordered by Greater London to the northwest, Surrey to the west, and East Sussex to the southwest, with coastlines on the English Channel to the south and the North Sea to the east. The county town is Maidstone, and Canterbury is the historic seat of the Church of England in the county.

The landscape includes the North Downs, a chalk ridge forming part of the county's inland spine, and the fertile plains around the Medway and Stour rivers. The coast features notable cliffs at the White Cliffs of Dover and numerous ports. The county's rural areas are known for fruit growing and hop production, giving it the nickname Garden of England.

Kent has evidence of prehistoric settlement and later played a central role in Roman Britain and the medieval period, with Canterbury as a religious center. The Cinque Ports towns along the coast historically contributed to defense and trade, and Dover Castle and other fortifications defended the realm. The county's coastline has long connected Britain with continental Europe.

Kent County Council provides services for the non-metropolitan county, with district councils and Medway as a unitary authority. The economy emphasizes agriculture—fruit and hops—alongside logistics, manufacturing, and services. Major ports at Dover and Folkestone and the Channel Tunnel domestic terminal at Cheriton support cross-channel traffic. Transport links include the M2 and M20 motorways and the HS1 high-speed line to London. Notable towns include Canterbury, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Dartford, and Gravesend; tourist destinations include Leeds Castle and the seaside towns of Margate and Broadstairs.