North East England is one of the regions of England and comprises the historical counties of Northumberland and Durham plus the area south of the River Tees which was in the former county of Cleveland (this area was historically in Yorkshire and now part of North Yorkshire for ceremonial purposes).

The highest point in the region is The Cheviot, in Northumberland, at 815m.

The region had a referendum on November 4, 2004, rejecting the establishment of an elected regional assembly. The result was decisively against (see Northern England referendum, 2004).

Local government

The official region consists of the following subdivisions:

Key: shire county = † | metropolitan county = *

The region was originally defined as Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Cleveland. However Cleveland has since been abolished. The region is now considered to consist of four distinct 'sub-regions': County Durham, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, and Tees Valley (former Cleveland plus Darlington).

Biodiversity

The region has a rich natural heritage, which includes stretches of coast and extensive upland tracts that are of European nature conservation importance for their habitats and bird-life, and the Magnesian Limestone grasslands of East Durham - a habitat found nowhere else in the world.

See also

• Bands and musicians from the North East

External links

• Government Office for the North East
• North East Regional Assembly
• One NorthEast - Regional Development Agency
• The North East Forum - Discuss Northern issues
• The North East Biodiversity Forum
• North East Business Information & Forum Website

Government Office Regions | NUTS 1 Statistical Regions of Europe

North East England | North East England | Angleterre du Nord-Est | Nord Est (Inghilterra) | North East England | Nordøst-England | Северо-Восточная Англия | North East England | Nordöstra England | 英格兰东北