SUSSEX (South-Saxons), a maritime co. in the s. of England, bounded on the n. by Surrey and Kent, on the s. by the English channel, and on the w. by Hampshire. Area, 936,911 acres; pop. '71, 417,456. The South downs (see Downs) traverse the county from w. to e., ending about 20 in. e. of Brighton, in the lofty cliff of Beachy head. The northern escarpment of the Downs is precipitous, but leads down to the fertile and richly wooded district of the Weald (see Downs). A remarkably productive tract, from 2 to 7 M. in breadth, extends w. from Brighton along the coast to the Hampshire border; and in the s.e. of the county the rich marsh lands that line the coast, and which are 30,000 acres in extent, make excellent pasture-grounds. Of the Down-land there are about 50,000 acres, covered with a fine, short, and delicate turf, on which the well-known breed of Southdown sheep, to the number of 300,000, are pastured. Of the Weald dis trict, which formerly was covered with dense forests, there are within the county 425, 000 acres; a considerable tract has been brought under cultivation. Irrespective of the
less productive districts, there are in the county 120,000 acres of rich arable land; 150, 000 acres are occupied by woods, which abound chiefly in the Weald, and in the forest ridge in the n.e. of Sussex, where are St. Leonard's forest (10,000 acres), and Ashdown forest,(1800 acres). The chief rivers are the Arun, Adur, and Ouse, which have their origin in the n. of the county, and flow s. into the channel. In the s. of Sussex the cli mate is mild, and several large towns (see BRIGHTON and HASTINGS) are largely resorted to by those who seek health or relaxation. Seaford and Pevensey bays are much fre quented by vessels, and the e. portion of the coast is defended by martello towers. The county has for centuries been divided into the six rapes of Lewes, Pevensey, Hastings, Chichester, Arundel, and Bramber. It returns four members to parliament. Capital, Chichester.