Exeter, England

Exeter is the administrative centre of the county of Devon, in England, UK, which provides light industries and services to a sizeable area. In 1991 Exeter had a population of 98,100.

The Meteorological Office[?] - the main weather forecasting organisation for the United Kingdom - is relocating from London to Exeter in 2002. This will be the one of the three largest employers in the area and provide a welcome boost to the local economy.

Another large employer is the local airline, called Jersey European[?], British European[?] and most recently Flybe[?].

There was a settlement on the banks of the River Exe[?] prior to the Romans foundation of Isca Dumnoniorum in c. AD 50, building a defensive wall to surround the settlement. Exeter was also the southern starting point for the Fosse Way Roman road.

In 876 Exeter was attacked by the Danes.

In 1068 the city was attacked by William the Conqueror, submitting only after a 18 day siege.

It was extensively bombed by the Germans during WWII in the Baedeker Blitz. In 1942, 40 acres of the city was levelled by extensive bombing by the German Luftwaffe: many historic buildings were destroyed, and Exeter Cathedral was damaged. The city has been rebuilt in an attempt to preserve its ancient heritage.

Exeter has a football club, Exeter City F.C.[?], which was relegated from the Football League in 2003 after 83 years' membership, and is home to a well respected university.

It is now at a critical point on the transport networks, with the M5 motorway terminating at Exeter, the older main road to London and the railway service giving it good links, but any point further into the Peninsula being inconveniently removed from London and the Midlands.

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Exeter is also the name of some places in the United States of America:

• Exeter, California
• Exeter, New Hampshire
• Exeter, Rhode Island
• Exeter Township, Pennsylvania

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