In the historic county of Kent along the English Channel, southeastern England

 "There'll be bluebirds over

The white cliffs of Dover
Tomorrow
Just you wait and see...."
-- Vera Lynn, The White Cliffs of Dover lyrics
=====================================================================
(in southeastern England) The geographic and historic county of Kent lies along the English Channel. It borders Greater London to the northwest, Surrey to the west, East Sussex to the southwest, and Essex to the north, across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces the French department of Pas-de-Calais across the Strait of Dover. It is the fifth most populous county in England, the most populous non-metropolitan county, and the most populous of the home counties (i.e., the eight historic counties of England that surround London).

+ The Romans ruled the area from 43 CE, using Canterbury as a base. It was invaded by Jutes and Saxons in the 5th century and became one of the kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon Britain. The king of Kent welcomed St. Augustine’s Christian mission in 597; St. Thomas Becket was murdered in Canterbury cathedral in 1170. Kent county has long been known as the “Garden of England.” Within its sea-lined borders visitors find a fragrant landscape of gentle hills, fertile farmland, cultivated country estates, and fruit-laden orchards. It also produces the world-renowned Kent hops and some of the country’s finest ales and wines from its numerous vineyards. At its heart is spellbinding Canterbury, crowned by its enthralling cathedral. You will also find beautiful coastal stretches dotted with beach towns and villages, from old-school Broadstairs to gentrified Whitstable and the port town of Dover.

+ Kent was one of the first British territories to be settled by Germanic tribes, most notably the Jutes, following the withdrawal of the Romans. Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, the oldest cathedral in England, has been the seat of the Archbishops of Canterbury since the conversion of England to Christianity, which began in the 6th century with St. Augustine. Rochester Cathedral in Medway is England's second-oldest cathedral. Located between London and the Strait of Dover, separating England from mainland Europe, Kent has been the setting for both conflict and diplomacy, including the Battle of Britain in World War II and the Leeds Castle peace talks of 1978 and 2004.

+ England relied on the county's ports to provide warships through much of its history; the Cinque Ports in the 10th–14th centuries and Chatham Dockyard in the 16th–20th centuries were of particular importance. France can be seen clearly in fine weather from Folkestone and the White Cliffs of Dover. Hills in the form of the North Downs and the Greensand Ridge span the length of the county and in the Vale of Holmesdale in between, and to the south are most of the county's 26 castles.

+ Kent's economy is diversified: agriculture, haulage, logistics, and tourism are the main industries. Twenty-eight per cent of the county forms part of two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the North Downs and The High Weald.