SURREY (Sax. Sath-rice, the s. kingdom), an inland co. in the s. of England, bounded on the n. by Middlesex, and on the e. by Kent. Area, 483,178 acres; pop. '71, 1,091,635. The middle of the county is traversed from w. to e. by a well-marked ridge of the North downs, which rises in Botley hill, above Titsey, to the height of 880 feet. On the n. side of this range, the land slopes gradually to the banks of the Thames, which runs along the northern border; but on the s, side, the descent is rugged and broken, afford ing pleasing and sometimes romantic scenery. S. of the main range, and about 4 m. s. of Dorking, is Leith hill, 993 ft. high, the most important elevation in this quarter of the country. Stretching along the southern bank of the Thames, and extending over a space about 6 m. in breadth. is a tract which belongs to the London clay formation; further s., and likewise extending from w. to e., there is a tract of plastic clay, varying in breadth from 1 to 5 miles. Chalk, weald-clay, and iron-sand formations occupy the s. of the county. The principal streams are the Mole and \Vey, tributaries of the Thames. The
soil of the northern half of the county is fertile; in the w. and s.w. the land is, to a great extent, covered with heath. The climate is soft and mild in low-lying districts, and is favorable to the production of corn and grass. More than four-fifths of the entire area are under culture. In the n., in the vicinity of London, there are numerous market gardens, the produce of which is sent to supply the markets of the metropolis. Hops, wheat, and the ordinary crops are raised. The county contains much wood, and the beauty of the scenery, and the facility of communication with London, have attracted many residents to Surrey, which is consequently studded over with mansions and villas. Manufactures are carried on in Southwark and in the other southern suburbs of London, as well as in Croydon, Guildford, Kingston, and Reigate, which are the principal towns. The county returns four members to the house of commons.