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The largest city in Scotland. It is situated on the River Clyde in the country's
west central lowlands. People from Glasgow are known as Glaswegians; Glaswegian
is also the name of the local dialect popularly referred to as the "Glasgow Patter".
Industry
Glasgow's economy is now mainly financial and business services, communications,
biosciences, creative industries, healthcare, retail and tourism. The city retains
a strong link to the manufacturing sector which accounts for well over 60% of Scotland's
manufactured exports, with particular strengths in shipbuilding, engineering, food
and drink, printing, publishing, chemicals and textiles as well as new growth sectors
such as software development and biotechnology. There is a wide range of accomodation
available including bed and breakfast, hotel accommodation, self catering, guest
house, cottage, camping and caravan sites.
Geography
Glasgow benefits from its mild south western position; the Gulf Stream currents
flow up the Clyde estuary from the Atlantic warming the entire region. The city
is also sheltered by the surrounding Clyde Valley hills keeping the city fairly
humid throughout the year. In general, the temperature in Glasgow is only a couple
of degrees lower than that in the South of England.
History
The area of Glasgow has long been used for settlement due to the River Clyde providing
a natural area for fishing. Glasgow became an important centre for medieval Scotland's
second largest bishopric in the 12th century. Between 1175 and 1178 this position
was strengthened by the status of burgh from King William the Lion, between 1189
and 1195 this status was supplemented by an annual fair, which survives to this
day as the Glasgow Fair. Glasgow grew over the following centuries, and the founding
of the University of Glasgow in 1451 increased the town's religious and educational
status. In the 16th century Glasgow became prominent in international commerce as
a hub of trade to the Americas, especially in the movement of tobacco, cotton and
sugar. By the end of the 19th century the city was producing most of the ships and
locomotives in the world. The 20th century saw a great decline in the city's fortunes
but by the end of the century there had been a significant resurgence in Glasgow's
economic fortunes as a European centre for business and finance, as well an increase
in tourism.
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