West Berkshire

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Unitary authority in southeast England, created in 1998 from part of the former county of Berkshire.

Area
705 sq km/272 sq mi

Towns and cities
Newbury (administrative headquarters), Hungerford, Lambourn

Features
River Kennet; River Cambourn; Kennet and Avon Canal; Snelsmore Common Country Park covers 59 ha/ 146 acres including wetland habitats; Inkpen Hill (291 m/854 ft) with Stone Age tomb and Walbury Hill (297 m/974 ft) with Iron Age fort are the highest chalk hills in England; Thatcham Moors reedbeds are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp (1981–2000) was the site of campaigning against nuclear weapons development at Greenham, Burghfield, and Aldermaston

Industries
racehorse industry, agriculture, dairy cattle, pig farming (including local Berkshire pig)

Population
(2001) 144,500

Famous people
Francis Baily (astronomer), George Sanger (circus entertainer)

The cross represents the Greek Orthodox faith. Blue stands for the sea and sky. The shade has varied over the years. White symbolizes purity. Effective date: 22 December 1978. >>