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8
SECTION I.—POPULATION, BIRTHS, DEATHS ;
HOSPITAL, CLINIIC AND NURSING FACILITIES.
The County Borough of Croydon lies immediately to the
south of London, on which it abuts at its northern extremity. In
general outline the borough resembles an inverted pear, extending
nearly six miles from north to south and four and a half miles it
its broadest portion from east to west. The wide rounded base to
the north consists of Norbury to the north-west, South Norwood
and a portion of Upper Norwood to the north-east, with Thornton
Heath between and to the south of these. The neck of the pear
consists of West Croydon and Waddon to the west, and Addiscombe
and Shirley to the east; while the apex in the extreme south
is formed by South Croydon.
To the west of Croydon lie in succession Lambeth M.B.,
Wandsworth M.B., Mitcham U.D., and Beddington and Wallington
U.D., passing from north to south; to the east, running
similarly from north to south, are Penge U.D., Beckenham U.D.,
Godstone R.D., and Coulsdon and Purley U.D.
PHYSICAL FEATURES AND GEOLOGY.
The northern portion of the Borough is hilly, consisting of
London clay, capped in places with gravel. The central area is on
the whole flat, in the western section comprised largely of gravel at
the surface, in the eastern section of clay intermixed with areas of
gravel. The southern portion, narrowing as it extends to the
south, consists of a central valley-bed of gravel, flanked by sloping
sides of chalk, forming in particular a rampart to the west.
The town contains the beginnings of the River Wandle,
which arises in the neighbourhood of Wandle Park, in the southwest
area of the town, and passes soon beyond its boundary.
SOCIAL CONDITIONS.
The most densely populated portion of the town lies at the
centre. Pleasant residential areas lie to the east (Addiscombe
and Shirley), north (Upper Norwood), north-west, and south.
Croydon is to a considerable extent a dormitory for persons
working in London. The following particulars as to the chief
occupations of Croydon residents are extracted from the Census