Introduction
7.1 The South West has one of the most varied and highest quality environments in the United Kingdom. Over 20 million people come to the South West each year to share this environment through work, rest and play precisely because of its diversity and excellent reputation.
7.2 The South West region is physically the largest and most rural region in England, with many diverse landscapes. The peninsula extends over 350km from the south-western tip of Cornwall to the northern border of Gloucestershire and the eastern borders of Dorset and Wiltshire. This size, shape and relative rurality has led to some geographical remoteness and the related environmental problems that this brings, with high car reliance and high domestic electricity use.
7.3 More detail on all of the subjects covered in this chapter is available from the South West Observatory Environment module website at www.swenvo.org.uk. Many subjects are also indicators used to monitor progress of the Regional Environment Strategy.