Manchester travel and tourist information
Manchester, presently one of the most significant cities of the United Kingdom, is situated in North West England, and its history goes back as far as to AD 79, when it was established as a Roman fort. It is the seventh-most populous local authority in England with the population reaching about 464,200. Being a part of the English Core Cities Group, in 2002 it was polled as the second city of the United Kingdom and it is considered as one of the best places in the country to locate a business. What is more, thanks to the Industrial Revolution, Manchester became the world’s first industrialised city.
The architecture of the city varies from Victorian to contemporary style; however, one characteristic feature of Manchester buildings that can be spotted is the common use of red brick. As a former global centre for the cotton trade (hence the nickname - “Cottonopolis”), the numerous old cotton mills can be found around the city, some of them intact, others transformed into offices and apartments. There are 135 gardens and parks in the city, among them one of the largest municipal parks in Europe - Heaton - which covers the area of 610 acres. The public monuments commemorate such people as Prince Albert, Queen Victoria, James Watt, Abraham Lincoln, and many others.
The means of transport offered by Manchester are diverse and efficient. Tourists can use the Manchester Airport, trains, trams, buses and, although usually for leisure, a canal network. As far as culture is concerned, the city also has a lot to offer. One can choose between symphonic orchestras, theathres, operas and other venues, as well as museums and art galleries. The buildings worth seeing are for example the Manchester Opera House, the Palace Theatre, the Royal Exchange Theatre or the Museum of Science and Industry, the Museum of Transport, the Manchester Art Gallery, and the Whitworth Art Gallery. Many music bands are associated with Manchester, among which can be mentioned such groups as The Smiths, Joy Division, Oasis, Take That, Simply Red, or Bee Gees.
Three higher education institutions, the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music are a place of study for 73,160 students. The three schools form the largest urban higher education precinct in Europe.
One of the most recognizable features associated with Manchester is its Premiership football club, Manchester United. There is also another club named after the city - Manchester City. The pride of Manchester is also its modern City of Manchester Stadium.
