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Greater Manchester

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Greater Manchester is a large metropolitan county in North West England.

GreaterManchesterManchester
GreaterManchesterManchester

It sits near several other places like Lancashire, Cheshire, and Merseyside. To the east, it borders West Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

Greater Manchester (ancient)
Greater Manchester (ancient)

The city of Manchester is the largest settlement and sits in the middle. The city of Salford is located right next to Manchester.

GreaterManchesterSalford
GreaterManchesterSalford

Most of the area is built up with many towns and cities. This large urban area is the second most populous in the United Kingdom.

The land in this region has two very different looks. The south and west parts are lowlands. These areas are flat, much like the Cheshire Plain.

Common cottongrass at Light Hazzles Reservoir
Common cottongrass at Light Hazzles Reservoir

In contrast, the north and east are much higher. These parts are part of the Pennines mountain range. You can find the West Pennine Moors and the Peak District here.

GreaterManchesterRochdale
GreaterManchesterRochdale

Many rivers start in these high hills. They flow down to join the Mersey and Irwell rivers. A large path called the Manchester Ship Canal connects these rivers to the sea.

People have lived in this area for a very long time. Evidence shows people lived here during the Iron Age.

Weavers' cottages, Wardle
Weavers' cottages, Wardle

Later, the Romans built forts at places like Castlefield. In the past, much of the land was rural and quiet. This changed during the Industrial Revolution when things moved very fast.

GreaterManchesterOldham
GreaterManchesterOldham

Towns grew quickly to make cotton textiles. People used machines and coal to power these new factories. By 1848, the many towns had grown together into one big area.

Today, the county is organized into ten different boroughs.

Greater Manchester numbered districts
Greater Manchester numbered districts

These include Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan.

GreaterManchesterWigan
GreaterManchesterWigan

These local groups work together through a combined authority. The county was officially created on 1 April 1974. It was made from parts of Cheshire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire.

Westminster House
Westminster House

While it used to be about making cotton, it has changed. Now, many people work in digital industries and media services.

Greater Manchester is famous for many different things today. It is a major center for service jobs and new technology.

Manchester Central Arena
Manchester Central Arena

People also know the area for its great football teams.

GreaterManchesterBolton
GreaterManchesterBolton

The region has also helped change the world of music. It is well known for its contributions to dance music and guitar music.

Stockport from the train - geograph.org.uk - 2545404
Stockport from the train - geograph.org.uk - 2545404

Even though the towns are different, they all share this history. They are linked by their busy streets and their shared past.

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🖼️ Images & Media (44)
File:Greater Manchester numbered districts.svg
Greater Manchester numbered districts.svg
File:Greater Manchester (ancient).png
Greater Manchester (ancient).png
File:Weavers' cottages, Wardle.jpg
Weavers' cottages, Wardle.jpg
File:Greater Manchester - geograph.org.uk - 2948057.jpg
Greater Manchester - geograph.org.uk - 2948057.jpg
File:Greater Manchester County (3).png
Greater Manchester County (3).png
File:Stockport (GMPTE).jpg
Stockport (GMPTE).jpg
File:Westminster House.JPG
Westminster House.JPG
File:Arms_of_the_Greater_Manchester_Metropolitan_County_Council.svg
Arms_of_the_Greater_Manchester_Metropolita...
File:Manchester Central Arena.jpg
Manchester Central Arena.jpg
File:The Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist, Salford - geograph.org.uk - 3027257.jpg
The Cathedral Church of St John the...
File:Rochdale Town Hall & 7 Sisters.jpg
Rochdale Town Hall & 7 Sisters.jpg
File:GreaterManchesterBolton.png
GreaterManchesterBolton.png

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