 Liverpool: The coolest place in the North of England! Liverpool is a maritime city undergoing vast and comprehensive changes as it modernises it's city cetre. Liverpool is a port on the north bank of the estuary of the Mersey and was first used as a harbour in the 13th century for sending supplies to Ireland. Liverpool only had a population of about 22,000 in 1750 but the city grew rapidly in the second half of the century as a result of the slave trade and the textile industry. By the beginning of the 19th century Liverpool had replaced London as the principal port where cotton was imported. To cope with this increased traffic, eight new docks were built between 1815 and 1835.
 Slave Trade: Liverpool was a major slaving port and its ships and merchants dominated the transatlantic slave trade in the second half of the 18th century. The town and its inhabitants derived great civic and personal wealth from the trade which laid the foundations for the port's future growth. Although Liverpool merchants engaged in many other trades and commodities, involvement in the slave trade pervaded the whole port. Nearly all the principal merchants and citizens of Liverpool, including many of the mayors, were involved. However
it would be wrong to attribute all of Liverpool's success to the slave trade, but it was undoubtedly the backbone of the town's prosperity.
  City with 2 cathedrals: Yes, Liverpool has 2 cathedrals, the modern styled Catholic (right) which was consecrated in 1967 and the traditionally styled Anglican (left) was completed in 1978. During the last 30 years of the 20th Century the area around the Anglican Cathedral has been regenerated to compliment the building. The Anglican Cathedral has the largest organ (2 of them!) and highest and heaviest ring bells in the world.
Liverpool City of Culture: Liverpool is a cultural melting pot with man long established communities. The Liverpool Chinese Community is the oldest in Europe. The massive Liverpool Irish population has led to Liverpool's nickname of "The Capital of Ireland" but there are Scots, Welsh, African, Jewish and Asian communities. Across Liverpool you will find many mosques, temples, synagogues and churches but the main population of Liverpool is an even mix of Catholic and Protestant christian. This has lead to a wide variety of architecture. Unfortunately during the Second World War much of old Liverpool was destroyed in the Blitz of 1941 (and the standard joke "I don't like the Germans because they bombed my chippy" was born). In 2008 Liverpool will be Europe's City of Culture in recognition of the depth of culture within the city.
 Beatles: The coolest place in the North of England! So I am repeating myself but the truth is it is! Liverpool is famously the birthplace of the Beatles - the most popular Pop group of all time. Their impact upon the 1960's is immeasurable. During their peak John Lennon was quoted, out of context, as saying that the beatles were more popular than Jesus - the truth is that for most of the younger generation of the day that was the truth. No other band in history has managed to recreate their success. Liverpool of today recognises the Beatles and for the modern day fan there is much to see and do around the city relating to the band. You can even visit the house where they all practiced (Paul McCartney's).
 Footy: Liverpool has two leading football teams (more if you expand a little!) but I am a RED whereas the majority of my family are BLUE. The Reds are Liverpool Football Club and the blues, Everton. Their respective ground are just across the park from each other but the chasm between the fans is immense. Both teams have their heroes, Everton has Dixie Dean, Gary Lineker and Wayne Rooney. Liverpool has them by the bucket load and have won the European Cup 5 TIMES and many more trophies can be seen if you take the tour of Anfield My favorite Liverpool greats have to be Bill Shankley (The city wept when he died), Bob Paisley, Kenny Dagliesh, Barnsey (John Barns) and current fave Stevie Gerrard, there's more, many more but I can't finish this paragraph without mentioning Rafa Benitez, oh and er, Peter Crouch - sorry no more space :-(
 Visit the Wild West: Well if you haven't visited Liverpool - WHY NOT ! It really is a cool place to visit. Absolutely loads to do in the city and out with the city are some of the best attraction is England. Attractions range from the wildest night life to the family pleasures of chimps pulling off your windscreen wipers at Knowsley Safari Park. Knowsley Safari Park is one of Merseyside's premier leisure attractions, and has won several awards for tourism and its animal husbandry. Near to Liverpool is the seaside resort of Southport (famous for it's never ending beach and the Southport Flower Show) and a little further up the road is the, slightly wilder, Blackpool. So what are you waiting for? Go pack your bags!
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