Essex
a maritime county of England, with an area of 1,530.5 square miles, and a coast line of 85 miles. The surface of the coast is low and marshy, but from the center to the north is undulating and well wooded. There is a considerable amount of good agricultural land, and wheat and barley are largely grown. Stock raising is also important. Its manufactures include chemicals, railroad machinery, agricultural implements, brewing, fishing, and oyster fishing. Pop. about 1,400,000.