The City of Truro is the administrative capital of Cornwall. The name Truro, (Cornish: Truru), is thought to have been taken from a castle that once stood here.

The City of Truro also contains the only Cathedral in Cornwall. Truro is a pleasant shopping centre, and has the advantage of being surrounded on most sides with open countryside. Situated at the junction of the Kenwyn and Allen rivers and having an outlet to the sea on the south Cornish coast, it was for a long time a busy port and centre of commerce. Truro was also the chief coinage town of the county and much tin raised in the county was shipped from its quays. Its decline as a port has also led to the disappearance of some industries.