Portal:Hertfordshire

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Welcome to Hertfordshire! Hertfordshire (i/ˈhɑːrtfərdʃɪər/ or /ˈhɑːrfərdʃər/), commonly abbreviated as Herts, is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. It is the 14th most populous ceremonial county in England, home to over one million people. Hertfordshire is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire (the unitary authorities of Luton and Central Bedfordshire), Cambridgeshire and Essex. Hertfordshire's county town is Hertford, with several other population centres including St Albans, the only city, and Watford, the county's most populous settlement. Despite a population density of 656 people per km2 (compared to the UK average of 255 people per km2), more than two thirds of the county is classified as rural. Read more... Template:/box-footer Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival (26 December 1887 – 31 January 1966) was a British Army officer and First World War veteran, born in Aspenden, near Buntingford. Percival enlisted at the start of the First World War, ascending to the rank of major by its conclusion, and receiving a Distinguished Service Order for his "power of command and knowledge of tactics." He built a successful military career during the interwar period but is most noted for his involvement in World War II, when he commanded the forces of the British Commonwealth during the Battle of Malaya and the subsequent Battle of Singapore. Percival's surrender to the invading Imperial Japanese Army force is the largest capitulation in British military history, and it permanently undermined Britain's prestige as an imperial power in the Far East. However, current knowledge about the years of under-funding of Malaya's defences, diversion of resources to other parts of the war effor, and the inexperienced, under-equipped nature of the Commonwealth army makes it possible to hold a more sympathetic view of his command. Featured content Arthur Ernest Percival Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough Sites of Special Scientific Interest Watford F.C. Player of the Season Watford F.C. players Watford F.C. seasons East of England churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust Good content Adam Miller Ælfric of Abingdon Alan Julian Alesha Dixon Buncefield fire Chris Beardsley Chris Holroyd Craig McAllister George Bernard Shaw History of Hertfordshire London Country North East Middlesex Nigel Gibbs Rupert Grint Tommy Smith Victoria Beckham Watford F.C. Knebworth House ...that Knebworth House (pictured) has hosted large concerts from bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Queen? ...that the settlements of Colney Heath, Colney Street and London Colney all derive their names from the River Colne? ...that Barnet was part of Hertfordshire until it was transferred to London in 1965? ...that the Henry Moore Foundation has a museum in Much Hadham, where English sculptor Henry Moore spent the later years of his life? Related portals: England United Kingdom Europe Related WikiProjects: Hertfordshire England UK geography Europe File:River Gade in Hemel Hempstead.jpg The River Gade in Hemel Hempstead. Hertfordshire is an English county forged in the Norse–Saxon wars of the ninth century and developed through commerce serving London. It is a land-locked county in the heart of England, well-protected from invasion, though it certainly saw battles during the various English and British civil wars, and action in its skies during the two world wars. Nowadays, with a population slightly over 1 million, it retains much of its historic character, but its industry and commerce have changed radically. Although Hertfordshire is numbered among the historic counties of England, it was not created until the early tenth century. Since then, its development has been intimately tied with that of London, which lies on its southern border. London is easily the largest city in Western Europe; it requires an enormous tonnage of supplies each day and Hertfordshire grew wealthy on the proceeds of trade because no less than three of the old Roman roads serving the capital run through it, as do the Grand Union Canal and other watercourses. Template:/box-header {{Wikipedia:Version 1.0 Editorial Team/Hertfordshire articles by quality statistics}} Template:/box-footer This map depicts the locations of the major settlements within Hertfordshire. The line surrounding the lighter area shows the county's boundaries. The inner lines show the boundaries of the county's ten areas of local government. Grey areas depict areas of urban development. According to the United Kingdom Census 2001, thirty settlements in Hertfordshire had a population of at least 5,000. These include Hertford, the county town, Watford, the most populous settlement, and St Alban's, the only city. Three settlements with populations of over 10,000 have been omitted from this map; Bushey, Croxley Green and Abbots Langley are situated to the immediate south, west and north of Watford respectively. Read more... Berkhamsted Bishop's Stortford Borehamwood Broxbourne Cheshunt Harpenden Hatfield Hemel Hempstead Hertford Hitchin Letchworth Potters Bar Rickmansworth Royston Stevenage St Albans Tring Ware Watford Welwyn Garden City A map of the county What are portals? List of portals Featured portals