Glouctershire is a maritime county in southwest England, bounded on the north by Worcestershire, on the esat by Oxfordshire, on the southeast by Berkshire, on the south by Wiltshire, on the southwest by Somerset, and on the west by Herefordshire. It covers an area of 1255 square miles.
The shire has several natural divisions. The western part, separated from the eastern main body and the southern section by the estuary of the River Severn, contains the Forest of Dean. In the southwest corner rise the Cotswold Highlands. The "vale" section, through the central area of the county, includes several rich valleys lying along the Thames, Evendale, Coln, and other streams. The county town is Gloucester. Bristol is a major port. Antiquities of the shire include Roman remains and numerous monastic ruins.
