NORFOLK, a large and important maritime co. of England, bounded on the n. and n.e. by the North sea, and on the s. by the county of Suffolk. Area 1,356,173 acres; pop. '71, 438,511. Its coast-line, extending' from Yarmouth, on the e., to the mouth of the Nen in the Wash, is about 100 m. in length. to Happis burgh the coast is low and sandy; from Happisburgh to Weybourne it is skirted by low cliffs; and w. of Weybourne to the entrance to the Wash, where the banks arc in great part low water, and where a considerable extent of land has been reclaimed from the sea (see WASH), it is low, and covered with sand or shingle. The surface of the county is level, or nearly so, none of the rising grounds being considered worthy of being called hills. The principal rivers are the Ouse, the Yare, with its at uents the Werisum and the Waveuey, and the Bure. Communication is kept up by the navigable
rivers, and by the Great Eastern railway. The climate is affected in spring particularly by cold n.e. winds, but the air is in general dry and healthy. The soil consists chiefly of light sands and loan's, and comprises a great extent of land, which though naturally not fertile, has been made so by judicious management. The agriculture of the county is in an advanced condition, and all the usual crops are extensively grown; while that of barley is especially celebrated. Half the acreage is devoted to rearing food for cattle, and thus the necessary supply of manure is secured. Geese and turkeys are extensively reared for the London market. The county is divided into three parts, n., s., and w. Norfolk, each returning two members to the house of commons. The capital is Nor wich.