Economy of Devon

Like neighbouring Cornwall to the west, Devon is disadvantaged economically compared to other parts of southern England, owing to the decline of a number of core industries, notably fishing, mining and farming.

Consequently, most of Devon has qualified for the European Community's Objective 2 status, particularly around Exmoor, Bideford Bay and the Hartland Point peninsula which is somewhat cut off from industrial Britain due to poor road and rail transport links.

A proposal which has the backing of both the Welsh Assembly Government and the South West Regional Assembly, as well as Devon County Council, is a year-round ferry service from either Ilfracombe or Bideford to Swansea, which it is hoped would stimulate economic growth in both south-west Wales and the north coasts of Devon and Cornwall.

The Wrigley Company (chewing gum) and HMNB Devonport (the largest naval base in western Europe) are in Plymouth.

This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of Devon at current basic prices published (pp.

Part of the seafront of Torquay , south Devon, at high tide
View of HMNB Devonport, the naval base in Plymouth
The remains of a Dartmoor blowing house, showing the furnace and mouldstone
A Red Devon (North Devon) bull