{England Travel}

With a 2007 population of 458,000, Manchester is located in northwest England and is part of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom. The city has experienced a recent upsurge following the collapse of its traditional manufacturing base, as the city was once a powerful textile center. To illustrate this transformation, a 2006 poll of British business leaders showed Manchester to be the best place in the UK to locate a business. Manchester is also the third most visited city in the UK by foreigners, and is well known for its football -- most notably the most famous football team in the world, Manchester United.

Although Manchester has been in existence since medieval days, very little medieval architecture remains. The city was heavily damaged during World War II, and a 1996 IRA bomb caused further damage. The result however has been an extensive amount of redevelopment, with more recent replacement of unremarkable postwar buildings with some striking modern architecture. A fair amount of the old, most notably Victorian architecture still remains juxtaposed, which makes for a pleasing effect. For a great example of Victorian architecture at its best, check out the Victorian Gothic Revival style Manchester Town Hall in Albert Square.

There is a strong cultural tradition in Manchester, and the city boasts many excellent museums, with a wide range of subject matter. The Museum of Science and Industry is located in the former Liverpool Road railway station, and features a huge selection of steam locomotives, aircraft and industrial machinery. The Manchester Museum has been open to the public since the 1880s with its Egyptology and natural history collections.

Manchester also features a very active music scene, and has a vibrant nightlife which has expanded exponentially since the early 1990s. The city has made a significant investment in the bars, clubs and public houses. The real strength of the city's character however is the many diverse quarters, such as The Village, The Northern Quarter and Chinatown. Manchester is truly a lively city with a bright outlook for the future.

By: Alyssa Mendell

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