SHEPWAY

district, southern administrative and historic county of Kent, England, extending along the English Channel coast from north of Folkestone (the district headquarters) to south of Dungeness Point. Inland, the diverse landscapes of the district include a part of the chalk hills known as the North Downs; the low-lying Romney Marsh, which has emerged from the sea since Roman times, partly by natural accretion and partly by dyking and reclamation; and a section of the old shoreline, which can still be traced, running along the landward margin of the marsh. The district looks toward Folkestone as the shopping and service centre. Seaside resorts line the coast, and a nuclear power station stands isolated on Dungeness Point. At Lydd there is an airport specializing in ferrying cars across the Channel. Romney Marsh is an area of superb natural grassland, noted for its sheep. Area 138 sq mi (357 sq km). Pop. (1998 est.) 99,800.