Manchester is the second largest city in Lancashire after Liverpool. It is the industrial capital of the North of England. It has a good climate, which is neither very cold nor very hot. The highest summer temperature is +27 degrees Celsius, and the lowest winter temperature is −6 degrees Celsius.
Manchester is 56 kilometers away from the sea, but it is the third largest port in Great Britain. The Manchester Ship Canal connects the city with the sea.
Manchester is a very old city. For a long time, it was the centre of the cotton trade not only in Britain but in the whole world. Now it has a large industry. At the factories of Manchester, different machines, materials, raincoats, food, soap, and other things are made.
The population of Manchester itself is about half a million people, but there are nine other cities not far from Manchester. Together they form Greater Manchester, with a population of about 3 million people.
Manchester was the first city in Britain to build an airport. This was in 1929. Today the Manchester Airport connects the city with many big cities in Britain and with different countries of the world.
Manchester is an important cultural centre. It has many libraries, museums, and art galleries. The famous Hallé Orchestra is in Manchester, and it gives concerts twice a week. The city has many cinemas and theatres too.
