Lake District, region of mountains and lakes, c.30 mi (50 km) in diameter, Cumbria, NW England. It includes the Cumbrian Mts. and part of the Furness peninsula. The district comprises 15 lakes, among them Ullswater, Windermere, Derwentwater, and Bassenthwaite; several beautiful falls; and some of England's highest peaks—Scafell Pike (3,210 ft/978 m), Scafell, and Helvellyn. Many of the region's valleys were deforested following Roman and Norse invasions. Numerous ancient relics remain, such as the stone circle near Keswick and the ruins of old castles and churches. This scenic district is a favorite resort of artists and writers. William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Robert Southey were known as the Lake Poets. Herwick sheep, native to the region, are raised. Tourism is a major source of income. The Forestry Commission has actively planted pine trees in the district. Lake District National Park (912 sq mi/2,360 sq km), which encompasses nearly the entire district, was established in 1951.
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