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Liverpool
lies on the eastern side of the Mersey estuary, facing the
towns of Birkenhead and Wallesley on the opposite bank. Its
inhabitants are called Liverpudlians and are nick-named 'Scousers'.
In 1190
the settlement was known as 'Liuerpul', meaning a creek or
pool with muddy water. King John established a port here
in the early 13th century. In the 18th century trade from
the West Indies was added to that of Ireland and Europe and
Liverpool started to expand rapidly.
Liverpool's
involvement in the notorious Slave Trade resulted in the growth
and prosperity of the town. Liverpool's black commnity was
established during this period and quickly expanded.
By the
early 19th century 40% of the world's trade passed through
Liverpool's docks. In the 1840s thousands of Irish people
arrived in Liverpool, fleeing the Great Famine, and by 1851
around 25% of the town's populaton was Irish-born. Liverpool
grew significantly during the 19th century and many imporant
buildings, such as Lime Street Station and St Georges Hall,
date from this period.
Apart
from its Irish population, Liverpool also has large Italian,
Welsh and Chinese communities.
During
World War II Liverpool and its docks suffered severe air raids,
particularly in 1941.
Following
the War there was significant rebuilding in Liverpool including
the Seaforth Dock, the largest dock project in Britain, and
extensive housing estates. From the 1950's onwards the city
was hit by the decline in manufacturing and the advent of
containerisation meant that its docks became virtually obsolete.
By the
early 1980's Liverpool's unemployment levels were amongst
the higest in Britain. However, the tide turned in the mid-1990's
when the city's economy rivived and began to grew faster than
the national average.
The popularity
of the Beatles and the other groups from the Merseybeat era
has helped tourism become a significant part of the city's
economy.
The city
has no fewer than 1,500 listed buildings - its skyline is
dominated by its two 20th century cathedrals: the Anglican
'Cathedral
Church of Christ' and the Roman Catholic 'Liverpool
Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King' .
Grouped
along Liverpool's spectacular waterfront at Pier Head are
the Royal Liver Building (the city's best known landmark),
the Port of Liverpool Building and the Cunard Building. These
magnificent early-20th century buildings are known as the
'Three Graces': A
futureristic new building, housing the Museum of Liverpool,
is planned to stand beside these historic buildings.
The best
view of the waterfront is from the deck of the famous Mersey
Ferry as it sails from the nearby Landing Stage.
The
magnificent Albert Dock (opened in 1846) closed to shipping
in 1972 and was transformed in the 1980s into a stunning cosmopolitan
centre with cafés, restaurants, bars, shops and tourist attractions.
Tate
Liverpool (home of the National Collection of Modern Art in
the north of England), the Mersyside Maritime Museum, HM Customs
& Excise National Museum, the Museum of Liverpool Life and
the award-winning Beatles Story are all located here and are
major visitor attractions.
Other
tourist attractions in Liverpool include the Walker Art Gallery,
housing an internationally important collection of works from
the 14th to the 20th century, including Pre-Raphaelite paintings,
and Sudley House (reopening in 2007) has a fine collection
of pre-20th century paintings, including works by Gainsborough,
Reynolds and Turner.
The
World
Museum Liverpool, near Lime Street, contains treasures
from across the world.
Liverpool's
emphasis on its cultural attractions has won it the acolade
of European City for Culture 2008.
Liverpool
has a great reputation for performing arts with many theatres
such as the Playhouse, Everyman, Empire and the Royal Court.
The Albert Dock has an award-winning comedy club and other
performance venues but the latest art attraction in the city
is FACT (a centre for Film, Art and Creative Technology).
This state-of-the-art venue has cinemas, studios, galleries
and performing arts spaces, housed in a strikingly modern
building.
The city
is also the nightlife capital of the North with clubs, live
music venues, restaurants, cafés and bars. Concert Square
is at the centre of the city's buzzing night scene.
There
are many visitor attractions and sights associated with the
Beatles including the Beatles Story museum and the 'Cavern
Quarter' of the city, which encircles Mathew Street (home
of the Cavern Club). The Mathew Street Gallery features art
work by John Lennon.
The
National Trust now owns 20 Forthlin Road, the former home
of Paul MacCartney, and 'Mendips', former home of John Lennon,
and both houses are open for guided tours. Beatles fans can
also take a two-hour guided walk: The Magical Mystery Tour,
which starts at the Beatles Story museum and finishes at the
Cavern Club, taking in the Beatles' old haunts, such as Strawberry
Fields and Penny Lane, on the way.
The
city's airport has recently been renamed Liverpool John Lennon
Airport.
Boasting
some of the largest High Street stores in the country, Liverpool
is a world-class shopping area. St John's is the biggest
shopping centre but there are also smaller fashionable areas
such as the Cavern Designer Shopping Centre, Bold Street and
Clayton Square.
An ambitious
new shopping area, located between the city centre and Albert
Dock, is set to open in 2007 Liverpool has many fine parks
and historic houses.
Sefton
Park, to the south of the city, was one of several parks created
in the Victorian period to provide open green spaces and fight
against urban sprawl. Created on land purchased from the
Earls of Sefton, this extensive park boasts a magnificent
restored Palm House.
Other
parks include Princes Park, in south Liverpool, partly designed
by Joseph Paxton (creator of the Crystal Palace) and the historic
Calderstones Park, one of the largest in Liverpool.
To the
north-east of the city is Croxteth
Hall and County Park, a major heritage attraction
in the North West and Speke
Hall one of the most famous timber-framed buildings
in England. A new highlight of Speke Hall is 'Amazing Time',
a maize maze created in a different pattern each year.
Liverpool
has two famous Premier League football clubs: Everton FC and
Liverpool FC and stadium tours are available at both Goodison
Park and Anfield.
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