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What was the original name of Torquay?
Why was it known in the 19th century as the English Riviera?
What sporting event took place in Torquay in the summer of 1948?
What famous novelist was born there in 1890?
What play did Oscar Wilde write during a visit to the region that premiered in 1893?

Hi, I will try to answer your questions:

What was the original name of Torquay?
I have read in the Wikipedia that "Tor" can mean tower and "Quay" can mean harbor dock, hence the name of Torquay. Both words come from the old English language.

Why was it known in the 19th century as the English Riviera?
Due to its mild climate in relation to the country's situation, its situation to the south and to be on the coast, this English blue coast was, since its inception, a great place of leisure for all its visitors.

What sporting event took place in Torquay in the summer of 1948?
Torquay hosted the water sports events during the 1948 Summer Olympiad

What famous novelist was born there in 1890?
Agatha Christie was born in Torquay

What play did Oscar Wilde write during a visit to the region that premiered in 1893?
It was at Babbacombe Cliff (Torquay) during the winter of 1892/93 that Wilde completed his plays A Woman of No Importance, Salome and Lady Windemere’s Fan