| Introduction | | | | extensive bus network, withregular services in |
| Manchester is a city in the north-west of England, | | | | and out of the city connecting to all the |
| situated in a bowlshaped land area. The city | | | | satellitetowns and villages. |
| centre is located on the River Irwell. | | | | Manchester has a tram system called Metrolink. |
| Planning for a vacation in Manchester is a great | | | | Operated by Serco, |
| idea. Manchester isone of the largest cities of | | | | Metrolink links the city centre to Altrincham, Eccles |
| England and contains a rich cultural andtraditional | | | | and Bury. It is ahigh-frequency service, with trams |
| values, worth to see and feel. Great places to | | | | running every 6?12 minutes. |
| see, enjoyand stay make Manchester a city for | | | | Universities |
| tourists? place of interest. | | | | Manchester is home to two universities: The |
| History | | | | University of Manchesterand Manchester |
| The Manchester area was settled in Roman times: | | | | Metropolitan University. The former is the |
| General Agricola calleda fort he set up there | | | | largestfull-time non-collegiate university in Britain. |
| Mamucium, meaning 'breast-shaped hill.' Afacsimile | | | | Together with the |
| of a Roman fort exists in Castlefield, in the city | | | | University of Bolton and the Royal Northern |
| centre. | | | | College of Music and |
| Manchester remained a small market town until | | | | University Centre Oldham all nearby, these give |
| the Industrial | | | | the area a studentpopulation in excess of 73,000, |
| Revolution, beginning in the 18th century. Its damp | | | | one of the largest in Europe. |
| climate was idealfor cotton processing and with | | | | Sports |
| the development of steam-powered enginesfor | | | | Sport and especially football are an important part |
| spinning and weaving, the cotton industry quickly | | | | of Manchesterculture. Two major football clubs, |
| developedthroughout the region. Manchester | | | | Manchester United and Manchester |
| quickly grew into the most importantindustrial | | | | City, bear the city?s name. |
| centre in the world. In 1838 Manchester, like many | | | | Museums & Art Galleries |
| of thelargest towns during this period, was | | | | There are many art galleries in Manchester, |
| incorporated as a municipalborough. City status for | | | | notably ?The Lowry? in |
| the borough was conferred in 1853. | | | | Salford Quays, which houses works by the |
| Recent history | | | | Salford painter L. S. Lowry, |
| In 15t June 1996 criminals (PIRA) attacked the | | | | ?The Athenaeum?, ?Salford Museum and Art |
| City Centre and theconsequent reconstruction | | | | Gallery?, ?Manchester Art |
| spurred a massive regeneration of the citycentre, | | | | Gallery? etc. Manchester has some great |
| with complexes such as the Printworks and the | | | | museums like Greater Manchester |
| Triangle creatingnew city focal points for both | | | | Police Museum, Imperial War Museum North, |
| shopping and entertainment. Since theregeneration | | | | Manchester Jewish Museum and |
| after the 1996 PIRA attack and leading up to the | | | | Manchester Museum. These museums are the |
| XVII | | | | lively example earlier andrecent history and one of |
| Commonwealth Games Manchester has changed | | | | the main tourist attractions. |
| significantly. Old 1960sfocal points in the city | | | | Shopping |
| centre were torn down in favour of a new | | | | Manchester has a number of busy squares, plazas |
| moremodern, up market look. Some areas, like | | | | and shopping streets. |
| Hulme, have undergoneextensive regeneration | | | | In the city center Deansgate has many shops, |
| programs and many million-pound | | | | including the departmentstores, pubs and bars. |
| lofthouseapartments have since been developed | | | | There are two large shopping centers; the |
| to cater for its growing businessclass community. | | | | Arndale Centre in the middle of the city and the |
| Place of Interest | | | | out-of-town Trafford |
| Structures of interest in Manchester include: | | | | Centre which includes food hall, multi-screen |
| The Corn Exchange (now the Triangle shopping | | | | cinema and Namco gamescentre. Other shopping |
| centre) | | | | centers include the Triangle which caters for |
| The G-Mex Centre | | | | amore youthful and up market clientele and the |
| Imperial War Museum North | | | | Royal Exchange Centre. |
| Manchester Central Library | | | | Food & Drink |
| St Peter?s Square | | | | Manchester has a vibrant and exciting range of |
| Manchester Town Hall | | | | restaurants, bars andclubs, spanning the famous |
| Midland Bank Building | | | | curry mile in Rusholme to traditional |
| The Midland Hotel | | | | ?grub?, China Town, modern bars and bistros at |
| Piccadilly Gardens | | | | Deansgate Lock in thecity centre. Regional |
| The Portico Library | | | | favorites include the Eccles cake and thetraditional |
| The Royal Exchange | | | | pie capital of the UK is supposedly at the heart of |
| South Manchester Synagogue | | | | Wigan, |
| Sunlight House | | | | 15 miles outside the city. There is a Hard Rock |
| Trinity Bridge over River Irwell | | | | Cafe, chain restaurantssuch as Wagamama and |
| Victoria Station | | | | bars that include Waxy O?Connor and The Living |
| The Victoria Baths | | | | Room. Other, independent restaurants, bars and |
| The success of the 2002 Commonwealth Games | | | | clubs can be found inthe Northern Quarter area of |
| is commemorated by B of the | | | | the city centre. Manchester is also famousfor its |
| Bang, Britain?s tallest sculpture, located near the | | | | beer. Although ?The Cream of Manchester?, |
| City of Manchester | | | | Boddingtons has leftthe city, there are still many |
| Stadium. | | | | international, local and independentbreweries |
| Transport | | | | operating in the Greater Manchester area. |
| Manchester | | | | Hotels & Accommodation |
| International Airport, formerly Manchester | | | | Whether you are visiting Manchester on business |
| Ringway Airport, is thethird busiest airport in the | | | | or just for fun, youmay need to find |
| UK in terms of passengers per year and isserved | | | | accommodation in Manchester and stay overnight |
| by a dedicated railway station. The city has two | | | | in a B |
| main citycentre stations Manchester Victoria and | | | | & B or a hotel. |
| Manchester Piccadilly linking | | | | Manchester has a number of hotels in different |
| Manchester to other places in the United Kingdom. | | | | locations, from theairport to city centre. These |
| High speed trains to | | | | hotels can be divided in differentcategories, from |
| London are run from Manchester Piccadilly by | | | | posh to affordable cheap deals, for travellers or |
| Virgin Trains. | | | | forbusinessmen. Cheap hotels in Manchester are |
| Manchester and the surrounding area have an | | | | available to make your stayin the city enjoyable. |