Somerton took over from Ilchester as the county town in the late thirteenth century, but it declined in importance and the status of county town transferred to Taunton about 1366. The county has two cities, Bath and Wells, and 30 towns (including the county town of Taunton, which has no town council but instead is the chief settlement of the county's only borough). The largest urban areas in terms of population are Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater. Many settlements developed because of their strategic importance in relation to geographical features, such as river crossings or valleys in ranges of hills. Examples include Axbridge on the River Axe, Castle Cary on the River Cary, North Petherton on the River Parrett, and Ilminster, where there was a crossing point on the River Isle. Midsomer Norton lies on the River Somer; while the Wellow Brook and the Fosse Way Roman road run through Radstock. Chard is the most southerly town in Somerset, and at an altitude of 121 m (397 ft) it is also the highest. COUNT 5
QSN1 When did Somerton take over from Ilchester as the county town  ANS1 in the late thirteenth century, but it declined in importance and the status of county town transferred to Taunton about 1366 QSN2 How many cities and towns in Somerset  ANS2 The county has two cities, Bath and Wells, and 30 towns QSN3 The largest populations of the county  ANS3 in terms of population are Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater QSN4 What was the strategic purpose to settle this area  ANS4 strategic importance in relation to geographical features, such as river crossings or valleys in ranges of hills QSN5 Most Southernly town of somerset ANS5 Chard is the most southerly town in Somerset, and at an altitude of 121 m (397 ft) it is also the highest