The South West
The South West boasts a wealth of environmental assets, including 60% of England’s protected coastline, over one third of the land nationally designated for its landscape quality, internationally important wildlife sites and a host of locally distinctive features. The region also has 15 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), 4 world heritage sites and the largest concentration of built heritage in the country.
Over 15 million visitors are drawn to the region annually by its natural, built and cultural heritage. The two national parks represent the juxtaposition of ancient wilderness with agriculture, woodland management and rural habitats that make the South West so distinct.
Three principal industries form the back bone of the South West’s rural economy:
Agriculture
Agriculture is a vital element of the region's rural economy. Approximately 80% of land in the South West is in agricultural use (19.6% of England’s total) and over 50% of that is under an agri-environment agreement.
For more information see Agriculture under SFF/Key Sectors
Food & Drink
Food and drink processing is the largest industrial sector in the South West, adding over 2.8 billion pounds to the value of the raw ingredients it uses and employeeing around 85,000 people - thus providing 4.4% of the jobs in the region.
For more information see Food & Drink under SFF/Key Sectors
Tourism
Tourism makes up 10% of the regions GDP; it currently supports over 300,000 jobs and is worth more than 8 billion annually to the South West region.
For more information see Tourism under SFF/Key Sectors
Other Key Sectors include Renewables and Forestry
Last Updated 02Apr08