is one of the
Regions Of England and is comprised of 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 region is divided into the following
Local Government areas:
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).
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.
