Sheffield

Sheffield is a major city located in South Yorkshire, England.

It serves as the administrative centre for the City of Sheffield. Geographically, the city sits in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is positioned south of Leeds and east of Manchester. The city is the largest settlement in South Yorkshire. It is also the third largest settlement in Northern England.

The landscape is defined by water and greenery. The River Don flows through the area. Four tributaries join this system: the Loxley, the Porter Brook, the Rivelin, and the Sheaf.

Much of the city is very green. About 61 percent of the total area is green space. One third of the city lies within the Peak District national park. The city contains more than 250 parks, woodlands, and gardens. It is estimated to have around 4.5 million trees.

The name Sheffield has deep roots in Old English. It comes from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city centre. The word "Sheaf" likely means "boundary." This is because the river once separated the kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria. The second part of the name means "open countryside." Therefore, Sheffield means "open countryside near the River Sheaf."

Human history in the area stretches back thousands of years. Evidence suggests people lived there during the late Upper Paleolithic period. In the Iron Age, the area was part of the territory of the Brigantes. This was a Pennine tribe that built hillforts nearby. After the Romans left, the area may have belonged to the kingdom of Elmet. Later, Anglo-Saxon settlers arrived. The name "Wales" in local places like Waleswood comes from the word "Walhaz." This was a Germanic term for native Britons or foreigners.

Sheffield became an industrial powerhouse during the Industrial Revolution. In the 1740s, new ways to make steel were discovered. One method was the crucible steel process. This allowed for much higher quality steel. Another invention was Sheffield plate. This involved fusing a thin sheet of silver onto copper. These technologies made the city a centre for cutlery. The population grew almost tenfold during the 19th century.

However, growth brought challenges. An epidemic of cholera killed 402 people in 1832. In 1864, a dam wall collapsed. This caused the Great Sheffield Flood, which killed 270 people.

The city faced significant hardships during the 20th century. During the Second World War, Sheffield was a target for the Luftwaffe. This was because of its important steel factories. The heaviest raids occurred in December 1940. This period is known as the Sheffield Blitz.

More than 660 people died during these bombings. Later, in the 1970s and 1980s, the economy struggled. International competition caused steel mills to close. Coal mining in the region also collapsed during this time.

Today, Sheffield is a city of regeneration and growth. The economy has grown steadily by about 5 percent annually. This growth is faster than the broader Yorkshire and the Humber region. Since 1997, the gross value added has increased by 60 percent. In 2015, this value stood at £11.3 billion.

The 21st century has brought many new projects. The Heart of the City Project has invested £470 million into the centre. This has created new spaces like the Millennium Gallery and the Winter Gardens.

Sheffield also has a very rich sporting culture. It is home to Sheffield F.C., the world's oldest football club. It also hosts the world's oldest football ground, Sandygate. Local matches between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday are called the Steel City derby.

The city is also a hub for other sports. It hosts the World Snooker Championship. It is also home to the Sheffield Steelers, the UK's first professional ice hockey team.