"The world in one city" Liverpool by drgrcook

See my website allaboutliverpool for more comprehensive coverage of this city.

Liverpool's existence is owed to its position in the relative shelter of an estury.

Situated at the Northern side of the Mersey which leads into the Irish sea, it is sheltered from the ravages of the Atlantic by the Irish land mass and warmed by the vestiges of the gulf stream.

It was officially founded by King John in 1206 as an embarcation port for the soldiers whose job it was to pacify the Irish. Little did he know how the people from that land would mould liverpool's history for the next 800 years!

The weather is mild, but cool and damp with few extremes. The last snow to settle and remain for more than a a day or so was in the winter of 1981-2 when lakes froze and the ground was covered in snow for three weeks. Sharp frosts occur in most winters and this prevents the less hardy Mediterranean or sub-tropical plants growing outside without protection.

Visitors are advised to bring a warm sweater or similar in the spring and summer, and warm clothes in the autumn and winter. Rain protection is advisable all year round due to the changeable nature of the weather which is no wetter than the rest of England but more unpredictable.

See more about Liverpool's history.
Origins of "Scouse"
Liverpool John Lennon Airport

A BRIEF HISTORY

The maritime history of Liverpool is impossible to ignore, from its first days at the edge of a Royal hunting estate 800 years ago, complete with castle, until the first dock was built, leading to rapid expansion financed by the slave trade and piracy, through respectability, and to decline after the 1939 to 1945 world war.

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The inheritance, more than 10 miles of docks, and a landscape that is graced by more magnificent grade I listed buildings than anywhere other than London is recognised world-wide, so much so, that in 2004 it was designated a World Heritage Site.

Liverpool has lived in a time warp for the last 30 years with more decay, but less demolition of old treasures than other cities, than new building. This has meant that the present boom is continuing with stringent planning laws, resulting in a determined renovation of old buildings and exciting new ones springing up.

CITY OF CULTURE

Liverpool has been a multiracial melting pot for 300 years and has the oldest Chinese community in Europe and the arch that is the gateway to Chinatown is the biggest in Europe. This area of restaurants, shops and businesses is enlivened by the spectacular Chinese New Year parade and activities.

Liverpool’s close proximity to Ireland has led to the mass of Irish names in the telephone directory and the strength of the Roman Catholic religion which has its own cathedral. Sailors from all over the world have left their genetic influence and many foreign cultural centres exist as a testament to this continuing process.

This human mix together with cultural centres from old museums and art galleries to later Philharmonic Orchestra and theatres as well as cellars pubs and clubs have produced artists, actors, musicians and comedians with international credentials and has been recognised by designating Liverpool European Capital of Culture for 2008.

• Pros:Variety
• Cons:Weather
• In a nutshell:Must see before you die!