United Kingdom, Bristol

Bristol is the largest and "The most beautiful, interesting and distinguished city in England". The city of Bristol is full of energy and excitement, and Bristol has been nominated as a European Centre of Culture. Surrounded by charming hilly landscape and the spectacular ice-carved Avon Gorge, Bristol is an interesting mix of history, commerce and culture.

History

There is not much known about Bristol's earliest origins, but what is known is that during the Saxon era a town called "Bricgstow" was founded here. Then, under Norman rule, the town was re-named "St Mary-le-Port".

By the 10th century Bristol had grown into a town. Bristol was probably a burgh or fortified settlement. Bristol was probably surrounded by a ditch and earth rampart with a wooden palisade on top.

Bristol has been a port for a thousand years but came to prominence after the Norman invasion of 1066. St Augustine's Abbey was founded in 1140, and after several additions became the cathedral of the new Diocese of Bristol at the behest of King Henry VIII in 1542.

In 1373 the boundaries of Bristol were extended to include Redcliffe. Bristol was made a county of its own separate from Gloucestershire and Somerset. Also in 1373 High Cross was erected.

By the 14th century, the city was trading with Spain, Portugal, the Mediterranean and Iceland. After the discovery of America, Bristol was the main point of departure for voyages to the New World.

Bristol's links with the sea became even stronger in the 18th and 19th centuries when it became one of England's busiest ports.

Modern Bristol is one of the most popular British cities for business relocation and a major focus for media and new technology.

Geography & Demographics

Bristol is situated by the River Avon on the borders on the Unitary Districts of Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, in South West England. The city spans a broad area, extending to the Bristol Channel; the area of Bristol near the coast is called Avonmouth.

Bristol is one of the warmest cities in the UK, with a mean annual temperature of 10.2-12 °C (50-54°F).

Bristol is the eighth largest city in England and has the highest GDP in the UK outside London. The modern city of Bristol covers 110 square kms, and has a population of nearly 400,000, although the greater Bristol area covers around 1332 square kms and has a population of nearly 1 million.

Economy

The city of Bristol has grown into an important financial city and there are an enormous number of large office blocks and headquarters for many of England's leading companies in Bristol.

The business activities revolve around the chief commercial Port of Bristol and more recently, aerospace industry has evolved to be its main economic stay.

Its economy has long connections with the sea and its ports. In the 20th century aeronautics played an important role in the economy, and the city still plays a role in the manufacture of aircraft.

Culture

Bristol is now a bold, creative and vibrant city, which expresses itself through art, architecture and music. 
Regular festivals celebrate everything from film, music and dance, to hot-air ballooning, seafaring life, wildlife and architecture. There is an exciting and vibrant nightlife and clubbers, live music lovers, and concert and theatre-goers are spoilt for choice. The city is the cultural capital of the South West and provides a friendly welcome to visitors.

Bristol is a cultural hub richly festooned with centers of culture, and education in the region. Bristol is a hot set of culture and heritage as well with many monuments and historic buildings such as The City Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol Industrial Museum, The Avon Valley Railway and Blaise Castle House Museum among others adding alluring charm to its façade.

Sports

There are many sporting facilities in the Bristol, including many world-class spectator sports, such as rugby and cricket.

Bristol has two football clubs.

Football is by no means the only sport on offer n Bristol. The city wide initiative simply called Bristol sport was launched to promote sport in the Bristol areas at all levels.

Rugby too is a popular sport within the city with the Bristol Shoguns Rugby union team playing their home fixtures at the Memorial stadium also.

Transportation

The city of Bristol is well served by public transport system and Bristol has a large bus station and a major station train, with excellent connections throughout England.

Bristol is easy to reach by air, train or coach. The city is also situated close to one of England's main motorway intersections so it is easily accessible by car.

Bristol International Airport is just about 8 miles south of the city and is connected by express coach link to Bristol Meads railway station.

Bristol is an important centre for rail travel and Bristol's Temple Meads train station is located in the Temple Meads area of Bristol, close to Bristol city centre.