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Administrative (pop., 2001: 498,093), geographic, and historic county, southwestern England.
Its county seat is Taunton . The remains of prehistoric villages have been found in the region. The Romans mined lead and built villas there; from the 7th century AD, Somerset formed the westernmost part of the kingdom of Wessex . A large part of western Somerset is made up of Exmoor National Park, and long stretches of coastline are protected. It is mainly an agricultural county and is known for its cider. Tourism draws visitors to its Bristol Channel resorts and historic mansions.
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[c mediumvioletred] (as used in expressions)
Maugham William Somerset
Raglan of Raglan FitzRoy James Henry Somerset 1st Baron
Somerset Edward Seymour 1st duke of