NORTHUMBERLAND, the most northern co. of England, is bounded on the e. by the North Sea, and on the n.w. by the Scottish counties of Roxburgh and Berwick. Area, 1,290.312 statute acres; pop. '71, 386,646. The surface of the county has a rugged, and especially in the w. and s.w. a naked and barren aspect. The Cheviots run along the western border of the county, and send out spurs toward the e., which, gradually declin ing., are separated by fertile valleys, that widen as they'approach the coast. About one third of the' area of the county is occupied by moorland, and along the Cumberland border the broken and bleak-looking hills are valuable for their lead mines. Allenheads, the center of the lead mining district, is the highest inhabited spot in England, being 1400 ft. above sea-level. The inclination of the surface toward the e. is indicated by the direction of the rivers Alne, Coquet, and north Tyne. which with the Tyne and Till are the principal rivers of the county. The Tweed forms the boundary of the county on the n. for about 5 miles, and the s. boundary is formed in part by the Dement and
Tyne. The climate is cold, but is milder on the coast than amid the hills, which, however, produce sufficient herbage for the maintenance of large flocks of " Cheviot " sheep. The principal agricultural tracts occur along the coast, and inland along the river valleys for several miles. In these districts, the soil, for the most part, is a strong fertile clayey loam, productive in wheat, barley, beans, and clover. Agriculture is pur sued on the most improved methods, and cattle, chiefly short-horned. are extensively reared. The s.e. portion of the county forms a part of the great Northumberland and Durham coal-field, which produces about 25,000.000 tons annually. There are upwards of 100 pits in operation in the county. Northumberland is traversed by the Newcastle and Carlisle, North-Eastern and Border Counties railways. The county returns four members to the house of commons; the county town is Alnwick (q.v.).