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County Population: 2,600,000 (estimate)
Greater
Manchester is highly urbanised, having the largest population density
of any county outside Greater London. It is centred on the major communication
centre of Manchester, but also incorporates the former spinning towns
of Bolton and Rochdale, and some areas of attractive countryside surrounding
the towns.
Although
an important town in Roman times, Manchester did not really develop until
the 14th century, when Flemish weavers moved to the city establishing
it as a major industrial textile centre. The industry suddenly took off
in the late-17th century, with technological advances that included the
fly shuttle and spinning jenny. By 1787 there were over 40 cotton mills
in Greater Manchester.
The
opening of a new railway between Manchester and Liverpool in 1829, and
the creation of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894, brought great advantages
to the area. It was not until the mid-20th century that the industry faltered
and the region steadily declined as a textile centre. Now new industries
have taken the place of the cotton mills, and the city is a major cultural
and educational centre.
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