From the 14th to the 16th centuries, the area saw an influx of immigrants that came to the area and started a booming textile industry. In 1421, the church now known as Manchester Cathedral was built as a collegiate church. By the mid-16th century, the area was a growing center for linens and other textiles. It was gaining a reputation for its woolens. Cotton soon became a bigger industry, and Manchester became a major cotton textile center, earning it the nickname Cottonopolis.
As the industrial revolution dawned in the early 19th century, Manchester became the first city in the world to become industrialized. The many warehouses and factories contained in the city were on the cutting edge of the latest mechanized technology. They served as a guide to other cities on how to prosper with mechanization. The Manchester cotton mills gave it a far-reaching reputation for its industry and technology.
The first cotton mill in Manchester was built in 1780. The city then grew rapidly as the cotton industry expanded. Other industries moved into the city, causing further growth as people came to Manchester in search of employment opportunities. Chemical companies and engineering firms moved in and created still more industries in the area. The book of working-class populations also meant social and political upheaval. In 1819, 15 people were killed in one of the worst of the many political riots that occurred. In 1853, Manchester was officially given the status of a city.
Manchester has two official orchestras, a large opera house and several live theaters. The city has two universities and two well-known football teams. The City of Manchester Stadium is a large venue that has hosted the commonwealth games. Manchester is also one of the three English bases of the BBC. The Manchester urban area has a population of more than two million.
The original name of the city was based on the Roman name for a hill shaped like a breast. This name may be derived from some of the smaller hills that lie at the southern end of the Pennine mountain range that runs to the north and east of Manchester. The southern portion of the city borders the Cheshire Plain. While the northern part of the city is hilly, the southern portion is flat and low-lying, leading out onto the plains and the moors that lie to the south.
