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Cornwall (England), in full Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, county in southwestern England. Truro is the administrative center. Cornwall occupies a peninsula bounded on the north and west by the Atlantic Ocean and on the south by the English Channel. At the southwestern point of the county is the cape of Land's End, the westernmost point of the English mainland. The Scilly Isles off Land's End are part of the county. Much of the land, especially in the east, is high windswept moorland, which decreases in elevation toward the west.
The deeply indented coasts of Cornwall, with their fine harbors, are lined with rocky cliffs. The county has a mild, moist climate, and in the south a lush vegetation prevails. The scenic beauty and favorable climate have made Cornwall a tourist center. Industry is limited to the larger towns, such as Falmouth and Penzance. The mining of tin and china clay is important as is the production of early fruit, vegetables, and flowers.
Cornwall is rich in prehistoric stone monuments. Christianity was introduced to Cornwall by Celts from Ireland and Wales as early as the 5th century. Although most of England was conquered by the Saxons by the 7th century, Cornwall was not taken by them until the 11th century. The duchy of Cornwall has traditionally descended to the eldest son of the monarch since its establishment in 1337. During the 18th century a strong Methodist movement arose here, and Methodism has since remained the major faith.
Cornish, one of the Celtic languages, was spoken here as a first language until the late 18th century, when the last native speaker died. In the 20th century renewed interest in Celtic history and culture among the Cornish people has led to a gradual revival of the Cornish language.
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