Manchester

Manchester can trace its roots a long way back in history. A 2000 year old Celtic inhabitant, a moss man, was found 25 years ago in the outskirts of the city. In 2009, the Lindow Man (picture), as he is commonly called, revisited Manchester. This time he was displayed at the Museum. Later on the Romans paid the city a visit. Actually place names ending in chester or caster are derived from the Latin word castrum which indicates that there has been a Roman fort at the place.

Due to its abundant coal reserves and its location by the river Mersey, the city soon became the hub of the Industrial Revolution. The city can boast one of the first textile mills, and Stephenson’s locomotive, the Rocket, was launched from the world’s first railway station. The cotton industry was massive and held its leading position until the 1960s when the decline started with the closing of coal mines and mass unemployment in the once so thriving industry.

However, Manchester has risen from the ashes! Today the city is big in business, banks, insurance agencies, high-tech industries, and not to forget – football! According to a poll in 2007, Manchester United can boast 90 million fans worldwide and its home ground, Old Trafford, can host 76,212 of its “addicts”. The stadium is commonly called the Theatre of Dreams. If you want to know why, you should take the virtual tour on the club’s website: Manchester United Football Club

Manchester now appears as a modern city with a multicultural population and students from all parts of the world flock to Manchester to study business, economics, sports, art and culture at the numerous universities and colleges. This new and modern city has a lot to offer for all tastes.