Manchester

Basic facts

• Located in the north-west of England.• Population of 450,000.• 5th largest city in the UK.

Manchester in the past

• Textile industry in the Industrial revolution.– One of the first cities to be

industrialised.– One of the world’s largest

marketplaces for cotton goods at this time – ‘Cottonopolis’.

– Canals and train lines connected Manchester to Liverpool to transport goods worldwide.

Manchester in the past

• Vibrant music scene in Manchester in 1980s and 1990s– ‘Madchester’– Famous bands of the time

such as ‘Joy Division’ and ‘Happy Mondays’ originated in Manchester.

– They performed a mixture of alternative rock, psychedelic rock and dance music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-2i2SR_OsU

Manchester today

• Now Manchester is more urban than industrial.

• Lots of contrast and diversity in the city: different cultures, old and new buildings.

• Important city for lots of sports, not just football.

High-street and independent stores

Central retail district• Lots of shops• Designer stores• Popular high street

brands.

Northern quarter• Independent shops,

restaurants and cafés.

Old and new architecture

Urbis Beetham Tower

Cathedral

Old and new architecture

Spinningfields

Town Hall

Central Library

Cultural diversity

Gay Village and Canal Street Chinatown

Sports in Manchester

• Home to the best two teams in English football.

• Home of the British Olympic Cycling Team.

• Annual Great Manchester Run – 10 km race.

• Hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Games, and most of the facilities are still in use today.

Legacy of the Commonwealth Games