About the Location

Manchester is buzzing with shops, cafes and culture. It is no surprise that it is heralded as the capital of the North. Art Galleries, theatres and venues offering live music events contribute to a city rich in diverse culture. For outdoor adventure, the Peak District and Lake District are both within a short drive, and, closer to home, the city’s sporting and cultural base has been strengthened as a result of the 2002 Commonwealth Games. For more information about the city of Manchester, click - here

The facts

• Manchester is the regional capital of the north west of England, the UK’s largest economic region outside London.
• The region comprises some 2.5 million households, has a population of over six million and a GDP of £50 billion.
• The Great Manchester conurbation is by far the most densely populated part of the region, with over 2.5 million people living in an area of 1,200 km2.
• Manchester stands at the heart of both the conurbation and the region.
• The city itself, having a population of around 430,000, is the largest of the ten Greater Manchester districts, but in a relatively small area of 117 km2.

A City of Change

Manchester is a city of startling contrasts and significant challenges. It is the north west’s regional centre for finance, commerce, retail, culture and leisure, home to a major international airport and one of the largest student populations in Europe. It is transforming itself from an industrial city, dependent of manufacturing, to a thriving, modern, dynamic, international city. Whilst manufacturing remains important, Manchester has attracted growth in the knowledge-based economy and is in the top ten of European cities for business location.

(taken from Manchester City Council website www.manchester.gov.uk )