Essex (/[unsupported input]ˈɛsᵻks/) is a ceremonial an nan-metropolitan coonty in the East o Ingland, an ane o the hame coonties. Essex County Council is the principal local authority for hintle o the coonty, sharin functions wi twal destrict cooncils. The coonty toun is Chelmsford. The soothren Essex burghs o Thurrock an Southend-on-Sea are govrened separately as unitar authorities. It wis established in antiquity an formit the eastren portion o the Kinrick o Essex. Sections o the coonty closer tae Lunnon are pairt o the Metropolitan Green Belt, which prohibits development. It is the location o the regionally significant Lakeside Shopping Centre an London Stansted Airport; an the new touns o Basildon an Harlow.