district, administrative county of Shropshire, west-central England. Nearly all of North Shropshire lies within the historic county of Shropshire, except for a small area south of Market Drayton, which lies in the historic county of Staffordshire. The border with Wales is on the northwest side of the district. Almost entirely rural in character, North Shropshire is an undulating plain containing large areas of former marshland. Many scenic meres (small, shallow lakes) are in the north, especially in the vicinity of Ellesmere. Dairy farming is the principal economic pursuit in the district. Assorted cereals and sugar beets, as well as pigs, are raised. The district's market centres, including Ellesmere, Market Drayton, Wem, and Whitchurch, have developed a light industrial base. Wem is the administrative centre. Area 263 square miles (680 square km). Pop. (2001) 57,108.