The county has an area of 1,713 square kilometres (661 sq mi) and a population of 1,131,052. After Stoke-on-Trent (258,366), the largest settlements are Tamworth (78,646), Newcastle-under-Lyme (75,082), Burton upon Trent (72,299) and Stafford (71,673); the city of Lichfield has a population of 33,816. For local government purposes Staffordshire comprises a non-metropolitan county, with nine districts, and the unitary authority area of Stoke-on-Trent. The county historically included the north-west of the West Midlands county, including Walsall, West Bromwich, and Wolverhampton.
Staffordshire is hilly to the north and south. The southern end of the Pennines is in the north, containing part of the Peak DistrictNational Park, while the Cannock ChaseAONB and part of the National Forest are in the south. The River Trent and its tributaries drain most of the county. From its source, near Biddulph, the river flows through Staffordshire in a southwesterly direction, meeting the Sow just east of Stafford; it then meets the River Tame and turns north-east, exiting into Derbyshire immediately downstream of Burton upon Trent. (Full article...)
The Stafford knot, more commonly known as the Staffordshire knot, is a distinctive three-looped knot that is the traditional symbol of the English county of Staffordshire and of its county town, Stafford. It is a particular representation of the simple overhand knot, the most basic knot of all. (Full article...)
Lichfield Cathedral is a late 12th century medieval cathedral situated in Lichfield, Staffordshire. The cathedral is dedicated to saints Chad and Mary and is the only medieval church in England with three spires.
Image 42A diagram of local rail services in Stoke-on-Trent. (from Stoke-on-Trent)
Image 43Vale Park, home of Port Vale. Completed in 1950, at the time of its construction it was nicknamed 'The Wembley of the North'. (from Stoke-on-Trent)
Image 44Town Twinning Sign on Eccleshall Road (from Stafford)
... that in medieval Tutbury, Staffordshire, minstrels chased a bull that, if caught, could be eaten or exchanged for forty pennies?
... that the Staffordshire County League (South) was originally formed as the Walsall & District Junior League after a meeting of football club representatives at the People's Coffee House in Walsall?