Surrey

Surrey is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South East England. It borders Greater London to the north, Kent to the east, East Sussex and West Sussex to the south, and Berkshire and Hampshire to the west. The county covers about 1,600 square kilometres and has a population of around 1.2 million. The county town is Guildford, which also hosts the University of Surrey and Guildford Cathedral; other major towns include Woking, Epsom and Ewell, Dorking, Leatherhead, Redhill, Reigate and Farnham.

Geography and landscape: The county contains the North Downs and the Greensand Ridge, with the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Box Hill is a notable landmark. The River Thames forms part of the northern boundary; other waterways such as the Mole and Wey drain the area. The landscape blends rural countryside with suburban towns and historic villages.

History and governance: Surrey has its roots in the historic county of Surrey. The modern non-metropolitan county was formed in 1965 and is administered by Surrey County Council, with 11 district and borough councils: Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Tandridge, Waverley and Woking.

Economy and transportation: Surrey includes affluent commuter towns serving London and a rural hinterland with agriculture and light industry. Major transport routes include the M25 and A3, with rail services provided by South Western Railway linking Guildford and Woking to London and the southwest.

Culture and notable institutions: Higher education includes the University of Surrey in Guildford and Royal Holloway, University of London, in Egham. The county hosts National Trust properties and historic houses such as Loseley Park and Polesden Lacey, and the Surrey Hills AONB conserves much of the rural character.