Geography Unit 2, Crowded Coasts Case Study 2 - The Lancashire coastal plain

The Lancashire coastal plain stretches from the River Mersey in the south to the Southern edge of the Lake District in the north. It is bounded by the Pennine Hills in the East and by low-lying coastline in the west. The plain is very flat, and much of it is only a few metres above sea level. It has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times.The plain's resource base and how its been used over time:~Geology - Sands and clays (making glass and bricks), coal (power for industry, railways and heating), iron ore (hardware goods). However, the iron ore hasn't been used since the pre-industrial years before 1750, whilst coal only started to be used during the industrial era, 1750 -1950 and onwards.~Climate - Precipitation (high humidity important to cotton industry). Only used during industrial period, 1750-1950.~Soils - Fertility good for farming and horticulture.~Vegetation - Woodland (charcoal and fuel) and peat (fuel). Only used in the pre-industrial era, before 1750.~Foreshore - Beach (recreation and tourism) and cockles (food). Beach used since industrial era, 1750 onwards. Cockles always collected there.~Sand Dunes - Links golf course and recreation. Both of these are fairly recent developments.~Flat land - Urban and industrial sites, easy canal and railway construction.~Rivers - Water power, domestic and industrial water supply, transport.~Estuaries - Defensive sites, sites for ports, sites for industry.~Inshore waters - Fish, recreation.~Wildlife - Food, protection and conservation.~Location - Involvement with the triangular trade with Africa (slaves) and North America (cotton)

The Lancashire coastal plain