DISCOVER YORK, Yorkshire
York is a historic walled city in Northern England, at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss.
The city was founded in AD 71 and became in turn the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Inferior, known as Eboracum, and of the kingdoms of Northumbria and Jorvik.
After the establishment of the Kingdom of England, York was regarded as the capital of the North, and from 1537 to 1641 housed the Council of the North.
Whilst the idea of the North being a separate province with its own capital has long since disappeared from secular politics, the Church of England has retained the concept, and York remains the seat of the Archbishop of York, metropolitan bishop of the Province of York.
York is also the traditional county town of Yorkshire, to which it lends its name. Because of this, it did not form part of any of the three historic ridings, or divisions, of Yorkshire. Traditionally the term City of York was used for the area within the city walls but the modern City of York, created on April 1, 1996, is a much larger unitary authority that includes several neighbouring parishes which formerly belonged to surrounding districts. The York urban area has a population of 137,505 while the entire unitary authority has a population of 184,900.
York is home to the University of York, founded in 1963, and York St John University, which was founded in 1841 and gained university status in 2006.
 SITES OF INTEREST
York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, stands at the city's centre.
York's centre is enclosed by medieval walls. The entire circuit (including parts where walls never existed) is about 3 miles (5 km).Clifford's Tower, a quatrefoil keep built on top of a Norman motte, was the site of a massacre of Jews in 1190.
The Shambles is a narrow medieval street, lined with shops, boutiques and tea rooms. Most of these premises were once butchers' shops, and the hooks from which carcasses were hung and the shelves on which meat was laid out can still be seen outside some of them. The street also contains the Shrine of Margaret Clitherow, although it is not located in the house where she lived.
Another feature of central York is the Snickelways, narrow pedestrian routes, many of which led towards the former main market-place. The city has many museums, including the Castle Museum, Yorkshire Museum & Gardens, JORVIK Viking Centre, the York Art Gallery, Richard III Museum and the Merchant Adventurers' Hall. The National Railway Museum is situated just beyond the station, and is home to a vast range of transport material and the largest collection of railway locomotives in the world. Included this collection are the world's fastest steam locomotive LNER 4468 Mallard and the world famous 4472 Flying Scotsman, which is being overhauled in the Museum.
York is also noted for its wealth of churches and pubs. Many of the remaining churches in York are from the medieval period. It is said that York contains one pub for every day of the year, and that there is no point within the city walls where one can stand and not be able to see at least one pub and at least one church, but these claims are exaggerated.
THE ARTS IN YORK
York has two main theatres, the Theatre Royal and the Grand Opera House. It also has many amateur companies, and is home to the Riding Lights Theatre Company.
A former church, St Margaret's, Walmgate, is now the National Centre for Early Music, host to concerts, broadcasts, competitions and events through the year, especially during the York Early Music Festival.
SPORTS IN YORK
The City's football team is York City F.C. who play in the Nationwide Conference. York also has a rugby league side, York City Knights and an open rowing club York City Rowing Club, located underneath Lendal Bridge.
York Racecourse was established in 1731 and from 1990 was awarded Northern Racecourse of the Year for 17 years running. This major horse racing venue, located on the Knavesmire, sees thousands flocking to the city every year for the 15 race meetings. In August racing takes place over the three day Ebor Festival that includes the Ebor handicap dating from 1843.
York International 9s is a rugby league nines tournament which takes place in York each year.
LOCATION OF YORK
York lies within the Vale of York, a flat area of arable land bordered by the Pennines, North York Moors and Wolds, at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss on a terminal moraine left by the last Ice Age. The ings are flood meadows along the River Ouse, while the strays are scattered around the city in marshy, low-lying places.
During Roman times, the land surrounding the rivers Ouse and Foss was very marshy, making it easier to defend. The city is prone to flooding from the River Ouse, and has an extensive (but not always effective) network of flood defences. These include walls along the Ouse, and a barrier across the River Foss where it joins the Ouse. The floods of late October and early November 2000, which were the highest for over 350 years, caused much damage, but the water did not breach the (sandbag reinforced) flood walls. Much land within the city has always been too flood-prone for development.
York railway station is situated on the East Coast, Cross Country and TransPennine mainlines.
Five Park & Ride sites currently operate in York. They allow you to travel to York by car, park for free in secure car parks and complete your journey into the city centre by bus.
ECONOMY OF YORK
York's economy is based largely on tourism, science and service-based industries. This is very different from the position as recently as the 1950s, when York's prosperity was based on chocolate manufacturing and the railways. Most of the industry around the railway has gone, including the carriage works which once employed some 22,000 men. Major employers now include City of York Council, Norwich Union, Card Protection Plan and Nestle, amongst others.
York is the headquarters of the confectionery manufacturer Nestle Rowntree, and home to the KitKat, Smarties (though not for much longer) and eponymous Yorkie bar chocolate brands. Terry's chocolate factory, makers of the Chocolate Orange, was also located in the city; but it closed in 2005, when production was moved by its owners, Kraft Foods, to Poland. However, the historic factory building can still be seen, situated next to the Knavesmire racecourse.
From Wikipedia
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