Economy of Devon upon geographical location; Dartmoor, for instance, has recently seen a significant rise in the percentage of its inhabitants involved in the financial services sector. In 2003, the Met Office, the UK's national and international weather service, moved to Exeter. Devon is one of the rural counties, with the advantages and challenges characteristic of these. Despite this, the county's economy is also heavily influenced by its two main urban centres, Plymouth and Exeter. Nearly half of the holdings of the Duchy of Cornwall are in Devon, including a large area of farmland. Since the rise of seaside resorts with the arrival
Devon and Exeter Institution Webb Follett (1796–1845), MP for Exeter and Sir John Bowring (1792–1872), of Exeter, Governor of Hong Kong and President of the Devon and Exeter Institution 1860–61. The building in which the Institution is housed at 7, Cathedral Close, was purchased from the Dean and Chapter of Exeter Cathedral and was formerly the Exeter townhouse of the Civil War Roundhead General Sir William Waller (c.1597-1668) of Forde, Wolborough, Devon. Following the death of his son, his eventual heiress was his daughter Margaret Waller (d.1694), who married Sir William Courtenay, 1st Baronet (1628–1702), of Powderham, Devon, to which family she brought the