Manchester Maps

Manchester is a relatively new city in U.K, which was born as a result of the industrial revolution. It is a metropolitan borough in the North of England with city status. The city is also one of the largest metropolitan conurbations in the United Kingdom. Manchester is considered as the center of the arts, the media, higher education and commerce. Greater Manchester County consists of the City of Manchester and the other metropolitan boroughs. The city leads in textile manufacture and production that is a major source of income to the city. It is represented by four tiers of government such as Manchester City Council, North West Regional Assembly, UK Parliament and European Parliament. The city is also part of the Metropolitan County of Greater Manchester.

Area & Location: Manchester sits on the east bank of River Irwell. The city is bordered to the north and east by the Pennine moors and to the south by the Cheshire Plain. It is located 53°29' Latitude North and 2°15' Longitude West. Its geographic features have made it the world's first industrial city. Covering a total area of 115.65 sq. km, Manchester has a total population of 441,200.

Transportation: Manchester is a city well known for its transportation facilities that makes it easier and convenient for those who drop in here. The city has an extensive road system that has more percentage of motorway networks than any other city in U.K. It also has a large railway system, which holds the title of the 'first passenger railway in the world'. Manchester has an underground railway system that links it with other main stations. Manchester International Airport, one of the busiest airports in U.K handles 22.1 million passengers and provides direct flights to over 180 destinations worldwide. The city also holds a tram system called 'metrolink' that carries passengers from one city to another.

Hotels: The city is known for its world class restaurants, bars and clubs. Hard RockCafe, chain restaurants such as Wagamama and the coffee chains Starbucks give custom made reception to its guests.The city is famous for beer and Hydes brewery is a long established independent one. Lowry Hotels, Travellers Retreat, Stay Inn, Gardens Hotel, Midland Hotel and Malmaison Manchester are some of the hotels in the city that provide its guests with sumptuous food and comfortable accomodation.

Tourist Attractions: The city of Manchester is a very interested spot for the tourists. The rivers surrounding the city itself add charm to it. The tourists reach here to relax themselves from their hectic routine activities.

Places of Attraction: Besides various skyscrapers in the city, it is also known for many architectures such as Victorian Architecture, Beetham Tower etc. Bridgewater Hall, The Corn Exchange, G-Mex Centre, John Rylands Library, The Royal Exchange, South Manchester Synagogue, Strangeways Prison, Sunlight House, Trinity Bridge over River Irwell, Victoria station, The Victoria Baths and Urbis Museum are other points of interest in the city. Its two large squares, Albert Square and Piccadilly Gardens that hold many of Manchester's public monuments attract toursists from far and wide.

Birmingham Maps

Birmingham is a U.K city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands. Being the largest of England's core cities, it is considered as the second city in U.K. Birmingham is known as the "the workshop of the world" or the "city of a thousand trades. The city, which began as a tiny Anglo-Saxon farming village, has grown and developed into a major industrial and commercial city. It is an ethnically and culturally diverse city, which forms part of the larger West Midlands conurbation. The city also includes several neighboring towns and cities, such as Solihull, Wolverhampton and the towns of the Black Country. Birmingham City Council is the largest local authority in the United Kingdom. The headquarters of the council are based at the Council House in the city center.

Area & Location: Located just to the west of the geographical centre of England, Birmingham has a total area of 267.77 sq. km. It is situated across an area of high ground ranging around 150-200 meters above sea level. The city is surrounded in the south and west of the city by Lickey Hills, Clent Hills and Walton Hill. The city is a home to 1,001, 200 people.

Economy: Much of the Birmingham's economic strength lies with the major industries. Considered as an important manufacturing and engineering center, the city receives billions of pound from its industries. Pen manufacture began in the city has revolutionized writing across the globe. One third of U.K's jewellery is manufactured in the city center.
Design and construction of railway carriages, steam engines, motorcycles, bicycles and automobiles were the main source of income for the city. It was also home to two major car factories. The other major products of the city include motor vehicles, vehicle components and accessories, weapons, electrical equipment, plastics, machine tools, chemicals, food and glass. Arms manufacture in Birmingham became a staple trade. Birmingham, which has over 500 law firms, is known as Europe's second largest insurance market.

Tourist Attractions: Birmingham is known for its museums that preserve the industrial history of the city. The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery that contains collections of archaeological findings, ethnography, natural history and social history delights the visitors. The Birmingham Thinktank, one of the newest museums in the city, Sarehole Mill, a water mill museum and Cadbury World, a museum that shows the stages and steps of chocolate production not only gives real pleasure to the visitors, but also help them learn much about the city and its industries. Birmingham, which has over 8000 acres of parkland open spaces, has number of parks where the tourists can enjoy along with their children. Sutton Park, the largest park that covers 2400 acres, is the largest urban nature reserve in Europe. Another major park in the city is Cannon Hill Park and Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The city is known for numerous squares in Birmingham city center that contain memorials and pieces of art. Four major squares in the city center are Centenary Square, Chamberlain Square, Victoria Square and St. Martins Square in the Bullring. source : mapsofworld.com