Welcome to Manchester
Manchester is the ninth largest city in the UK and is often regarded as the second city of the nation, which lies at the heart of a large conurbation called Greater Manchester.
The name, "Manchester" comes from Mamucium and ceaster, derived from the old Latin "Castra" - meaning "fortification". Known as the capital of the north, Manchester is one of England's leading cities and is often known as the town that started the industrial revolution.
Manchester, once seen as a city laden with dire poverty, has survived through a determination to welcome change and cheer the spirit of enterprise and modernization. It has now managed to successfully revitalize itself in recent decades and has now become an exciting and vibrant city.
Geography
Manchester lies in the north west of England, 35 miles from the sea on a flat plain within The Pennines. The land rises from around 40 metres at Manchester Town Hall to over 600 metres 15 miles away from the city centre on the hill tops.
Manchester has a population of about 438202 and ethnic groups include English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8%.
Climate & Weather
The weather and climate in Manchester is mild, with fine, hot summers and cold winters, which are generally fairly wet. Temperate climate can be extreme, with some parts of the city especially the north experience snow and very cold winds, and there are a greater number of snowy days - up to 35 - on the Pennine fringes. The Lake District and the Pennies usually have the highest rainfall.
History
Flemish weavers of wool and linen settled the area in the 14th century, establishing a textiles tradition and remained a small market town until the Industrial Revolution, beginning in the 18th century. Manchester quickly grew into the most important industrial centre in the world the arrival of cotton from the American colonies.
With its damp climate which made it and the surrounding area ideal for cotton processing, and, with the development of steam-powered engines for spinning and weaving, canal transportation, accessible supplies of coal and water, and culture of enterprise and innovation, Manchester soon became the centre of the new textile industry and of the new Industrial Revolution.
At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a frightening slow down in Manchester's economic growth, contributed by the 1890s depression and growing competition from the textile industries of the USA and other parts of Europe, leading to its ultimate decay in the mid-20th century. Manchester was also badly damaged during WWII causing further economic slump. Manchester however continued to remain an important financial centre with a flourishing cultural life.
On 15th June 1996, the IRA detonated a large bomb in the city centre, around the Royal Exchange and the Arndale Centre. The resulting reconstruction has prompted a massive regeneration of the city, creating new city central points for both shopping and entertainment.
In 2002, the city hosted the XVII Commonwealth Games and the games were a great success, earning the city a new reputation as a city of life and outdoors sporting venues.
Transportation
Manchester's Airport has nearly 100 operators flying to hundreds of locations worldwide. Jet2 has also recently opened up new flight paths to Manchester from many European destinations.
By bus, Coaches stop at Chorlton Street Bus Station, which is right in the centre of Manchester next to Chinatown and the Gay Village, operated by National Express.
Inside the city, there is also an extensive bus network and two tram line and taxis are considerably cheaper than in London.
Manchester Piccadilly is the main station for trains to and from the rest of the country. Victoria station services Halifax and Bradford only. The two stations are linked by Metrolink. Trains go to Blackpool, Liverpool Lime St, London and Newcastle.
Main Attractions
Boddingtons Brewery - dates back almost 250 years, it features regular guided tours, a gift shop and a popular public house.
Castlefield Urban Heritage Park - A splendid landscape of weatherworn viaducts, rusting cast-iron bridges and massive warehouses, which was redeveloped into an Urban Heritage Park in the 1980s.
Chinatown - A relatively recent addition to the city, dating back to the redevelopment of the area's cotton warehouses in the 1970s. The Chinese New Year dragon parade is a popular event here.
Manchester Art Gallery - Filled with neo-Grecian surroundings, paintings, sculptures, ceramics and decorative arts, it features Pre-Raphaelite paintings, landscape painters such as Stubbs, Gainsborough and Turner.
The Triangle - Created from the fine, Victorian Corn Exchange buildings, the Triangle is a high class shopping centre, offering some of the best shops, restaurants and bars in Manchester.
Lyme Park - A 1,377-acre National Trust deer park with panoramic views over much of Manchester and the Peak District, also features The Elizabethan hall and themed tours.
Quarry Bank Mill - 10 miles (16km) south to Wilmslow's 18th-century cotton mill, it is unharmed example of an early factory complex, featuring steam engines and a fully functional iron waterwheel.
Printworks - At a cost of £150 million the building has been completely refurbished after the IRA bombings to present what has been often called as Europe's first major urban leisure and entertainment complex.
Popular festivals and Events
Manchester United Football Matches - Held at the world-famous Old Trafford football stadium, Manchester United Football Club play many home matches during the football season.
Festival Europa - Held in Manchester city centre, the Festival features live music, quality entertainment, specialist markets and performance arts
Lord Mayor's Parade - takes place each year in late July and features street entertainment, markets stalls, fairground rides and general festivities.
Manchester Jazz Festival - A celebration of jazz music that takes place in the
Castlefield area of Manchester city centre at the end of July.
International Caribbean Carnival - Held in July, it is a celebration of the different cultures and communities in central Manchester. Features street fairs, bands, dancing and general festivities.
Manchester Food and Drink Festival - The festival is characterized by cookery displays, workshops, barbecues, feasting and discounted meals.
Dazzle Jewellery Fair - Spectacular display of modern jewellery, classical designs and stylish craftwork.
Dancing in the Streets - a celebration of dance featuring performances and showcases from both international and local Manchester artists.
Royal Horticultural Flower Show - held every year in Manchester's Tatton Park at the end of July, it is the largest flower show outside of Chelsea.
The Great Manchester Run - A popular sporting event that takes place in central Manchester at the end of May each year covering 10 km / 6 miles.
Accommodations in Manchester
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