Suffolk

Suffolk, county (1991 pop. 629,900), 1,466 sq mi (3,798 sq km), E England. The county seat is Ipswich. Suffolk is bordered on the N by the Ouse and Waveney rivers and on the S by the Stour River. The terrain is low and undulating, and the region, mainly agricultural, is one of the chief producers of grain, sugar beets, and vegetables in England. Breeds of horses, hogs, sheep, and cattle have been developed; stock and poultry raising are common occupations. Along the coast (especially at Lowestoft) fishing is important. Industries include food processing, milling, malting, and the making of farm machinery and fertilizers. Tourists frequent the coast. Suffolk and Norfolk formed the Kingdom of the Iceni, whose Queen Boadicea led a revolt (A.D. 60) against the Romans. In Anglo-Saxon times Suffolk was part of the kingdom of East Anglia, inhabited by the "south folk" of that kingdom, from which its name comes. In the Middle Ages, Suffolk was the center of a large wool industry. The importance of Ipswich as a port increased when Great Britain joined the European Community (now the European Union). In 1974, East Suffolk and West Suffolk were combined to form the nonmetropolitan county of Suffolk.

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Suffolk

Administrative (pop., 2001: 668,548) and historic county, eastern England, on the North Sea. There are prehistoric flint mines in the north of the county. During Anglo-Saxon times Suffolk formed part of the kingdom of East Anglia; the Sutton Hoo ship burial dates from this time. Its medieval prosperity was based largely on the woolen cloth industry. Since then, agriculture has been the major economic activity; crops include cereals, sugar beets, and vegetables. The Suffolk town of Newmarket is famous for its racing stables, and the Suffolk coast is dotted with holiday resorts. The county seat is Ipswich.

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Suffolk

Breed of medium-wool, dark-faced, hornless sheep developed in England in the early 19th century by mating Norfolk horned ewes (females) with Southdown rams (males). Suffolks are prolific, early-maturing sheep with excellent mutton carcasses. They are energetic and have an alert carriage and great stamina. Introduced into the U.S. in 1888, the Suffolk is a popular lamb producer.

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Suffolk

a county of SE England, on the North Sea: its coast is flat and marshy, indented by broad tidal estuaries. Administrative centre: Ipswich. Pop.: 678 100 (2003 est.). Area: 3800 sq. km (1467 sq. miles)