Oxfordshire (short Oxon, from the Latinised form Oxonia) is a
county in the South East of England, bordering on
Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire,
Gloucestershire, and Warwickshire. The county has a major
tourism industry. The area is known for the concentration of
motorsport companies and facilities. Oxford University Press has
headed a concentration of print and publishing firms; the
university is also linked to the concentration of local
biotechnology companies. The main centre of population is the
city of Oxford. Other significant settlements are Bicester,
Banbury, and Chipping Norton to the north of Oxford; Witney to
the west; Thame and Chinnor to the east; and Abingdon, Wantage,
Didcot and Henley-on-Thames to the south. Future population
growth in the county is hoped to be concentrated around Banbury,
Bicester, Didcot and Witney, near the South Midlands growth
area. The highest point of the county is Whitehorse Hill, in the
Vale of White Horse, reaching 856 feet (261m). The county