Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands of England, bordering Wales to the west. One of England's most rural and sparsely populated counties it is centred around six main towns starting with the county town of Shrewsbury, which is culturally and historically important, although Telford is today the most populous. The other main towns are Oswestry in the north-west, Newport to the east, Bridgnorth in the south-east, Ludlow to the south, and the two towns of Whitchurch and Market Drayton in the north.

The Ironbridge Gorge area is advertised as the 'Birthplace of Industry', and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale and a part of Madeley. There are other notable historic industrial sites located around the county such as Broseley, Snailbeach and Highley as well as the Shropshire Union Canal.

The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers about a quarter of the county, mainly in the south. The Wrekin is one of the most famous natural landmarks in the county, though the highest hills are the Clee Hills, Stiperstones and the Long Mynd. Wenlock Edge is another significant geographical and geological landmark, whilst the River Severn, Great Britain's longest river, runs through the county, exiting into Worcestershire via the Severn Valley.