Liverpool

The Mersey is the river that stretches 70 miles (113 km) from Manchester and ends up in Liverpool Bay. For centuries the river has been vital for the city's very existence. The Liverpool Docks are built on the river bank and it is one of the largest dock systems in the world. The port dates back to the early 1700s.The trade between England and the colonies, North America in particular, was increasing, and the port was soon recognised as the Atlantic Gateway.

The port did not merely handle tea, spices and tobacco from the colonies or manufactured goods from the factories in England, it soon also became a gateway to the New World for an ever increasing number of emigrants, particularly from Ireland, Scotland and the Scandinavian countries.

Below you will find a letter written in 1896 by a young Norwegian emigrant on his way to America. It gives an impression of the hustle and bustle in the city in the late 1800s.

Two Handwritten letters

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Due to Liverpool's role in this mass immigration of people from Europe to America and its impact on the expansion of the British Empire, the city was in 2004 inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check out this link to find out more. Liverpool World Heritage

Whereas Liverpudlians, as they term themselves, can be proud of their city's history, there is one chapter that is nothing to boast of; from the 16th century until its abolition in 1807, Liverpool was a centre for the transatlantic slave trade. The International Slavery Museum at Albert Dock tells the stories of the slaves and the merchants that made huge fortunes from this tragic involvement in the past, but it also displays more modern aspects of slavery. Follow the link to find out more about the International Slavery Museum.

When asked about Liverpool and what they associate with this city, most people would say: The Beatles.

In 1961 the Beatles had their first appearance at the Cavern Club, an old wine cellar by the Mersey riverside. The Fab Four - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, made Liverpool known across the world through their lyrics. The street, Penny Lane, and the children's home, Strawberry Fields, became familiar to everyone. The Beatles Museum located at Albert Dock displays an impressive collection of items related to the famous band. You can find out more by following this link. The Beatles Story

A second thing that probably would come to mind if you were asked about Liverpool (though most likely the first for passionate fans throughout the world), is Liverpool FC. Since 1892, Anfield has been the club's stadium and home ground. Gerry and the Pacemakers song, "You'll Never Walk Alone", from 1963 soon became the anthem of the Reds, as they are commonly called. If you visit the club's web site and its Hall of Fame, a lot of legendary names will pop up, among the most recent players, you will find Ian Rush, Michael Owen and our very own, John Arne Riise. If you want to know more, check out this link. Liverpool FC TV

Football is treasured in Liverpool, and the city actually houses one more Premier League club, Everton F.C. This club was formed 14 years before Liverpool F.C. and the rivalry between the two clubs is fierce.

Listen to this interview with a young Liverpudlian to get an impression of what young people want to say about their city. In the audio clip you will get an example of the local dialect, commonly called Scouse. Its roots probably derive from all the emigrants flocking to Liverpool from Scandinavia, Germany, Scotland and Ireland. It is interesting to note that the word can be traced back to Norwegian sailors asking for beef stew, "lapskaus" or in an anglicised form, lobscouse.