Cumbria is the most north-western county in England, bordering onto Scotland. The county of Cumbria consists of six districts and in 2008 had a population of just under half a million. Cumbria is one of the most sparsely populated counties in the United Kingdom.Its largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It is best known for containing the Lake District National Park, an area some 30 miles across, containing England’s highest mountains (four over 3000 ft), and some of Englands biggest lakes. Also within Cumbria is a small part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Cumbria’s history is characterised by invasions, migration, and settlement, as well as battles and skirmishes between the English and Scottish, as is evident by the many castles and pele towers throughout the county.