Leeds

Leeds is a town located in West Yorkshire. The city has a population of about 798, 800 people. Leeds is the largest business center in the United Kingdom after London.

The written history of the town dates from the fifth century. The forest around the town was known as Loidis, which is the origin of the name of the city. Leeds in the thirteenth century was a small center, where the rich lived, and in the seventeenth and eighteenth century was already a center for the production of wool.

During the industrial revolution, the city became an industrial center with a dominant production of wool and flax, iron and printed matter. Gradually, the city absorbed the small villages that surround it, and grew to become a densely populated city in the twentieth century. In medieval times, the town was still only an agricultural community. In 1770 Leeds had already exported one-sixth of all textiles in the country.

The rail network around the city improves relations with the domestic market and contributes to the rapid development of the city. Along with technological progress and industrial expansion, Leeds maintained interest in agricultural trade and in 1864 opened a corn exchange. In 1847 in the city was built prison. At that time the city has a population of over 140, 000 people. In 1893 Leeds received city status.

In the late eighteenth century in Leeds opened a factory for the processing of wool. At the beginning of the twentieth century began a gradual decline in production in the city but in 1930 this process had been terminated due to the need for the production of military uniforms and ammunition for World War II.

Despite the temporary rise, the clothing industry began to decline due to much cheaper foreign competition. Today Leeds is a city whose economy is based on new technologies. Leeds is closely connected with the electronic infrastructure of the modern global economy. There is significant growth in the corporate and legal sectors and increase in the income per capita. There is an expanding retail system including even the market for luxury goods.

In Leeds there are a variety of natural and historical sights. Among the landmarks stands the Reserve Fairburn. The city is proud of its beautiful squares, including park square and Millennium plaza, Town Square and Victoria Gardens. Victoria Gardens is a place where the town’s war memorial is located. There are other war memorials, which recall the heroism of local soldiers and officers.

Among the most impressive buildings are the buildings of Leeds University and the municipal building, which are white and are decorated with golden owls on top of them. Kirkstall Abbey, of which only ruins remain, is a shining example of Cistercian architecture. Among the most famous churches in the city is the Church of St George and Leeds Cathedral, located in the city center.

The tallest building in the area is Bridgewater Place, which rises 112 feet and is also known by the name Dalek. The building houses offices and homes. The town has a stadium for cricket, rugby, and soccer.

In 2008 the city opened Leeds City Museum which is situated on Millennium Square. The museum holds interesting facts about the history of the Kirkstall Abbey, and stories of the city during the Victorian era. The Army Museum is located in the building of the former largest wool factory in the world. The city has a museum of medicine and health.