United Kingdom, Oxford

The university city of Oxford is a beautiful and compact city and Oxford is full of medieval gems, historic buildings and one of the most highly regarded universities in the world. The city of Oxford is a lively, cosmopolitan city, with beautiful historic buildings, pretty parks and gardens, interesting museums and galleries, and charming shops and cafés. It is most famous for the Oxford University, which is the oldest in the world.

History

Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires, is famous the world over for its University and its place in history. For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars, and since the ninth century an established town, although people are known to have lived in the area for thousands of years.

The area was first settled in the Bronze Age, and by the Iron Age there were numerous small farms in the district.

By the Saxon era there was an established community here, and in the 8th century the Abbey of St Frideswide was established here.

By the 13th century Oxford had developed into a bustling town, and it was in that century that the first university colleges, University College, Balliol College and Merton College, appeared.

Oxford has always maintained close links to royalty and government. During the English Civil War (1642-1651) the city became the Royalist capital of England, with Charles I setting up home at Christ Church and his wife Henrietta Maria keeping court at the neighbouring Merton College.

Industrialisation first arrived in Oxford in the 1790s, when the canals first reached the city. Then in 1844 the railways reached Oxford, making travel between Oxford and London much easier.

Today Oxford is a vibrant cosmopolitan town with a substantial proportion of both students and residents having non-English backgrounds, and a new urbanism has developed with many bars, cafes, restaurants, clubs, ethnic shops and fast food outlets.

It is these very contrasts - between town and gown, past and present, the traditional and the forward thinking - that make Oxford such an interesting city to visit.

Geography & Demographics

Oxford is located centrally within the country, about 50 miles north-west of London. It has a population of 141600 (Cencus 2003). Oxford is situated in Oxfordshire, England. The city is located at 51°45'07? N, 1°15'28? W. Oxford does not have to suffer extremes of climate but the weather is very unpredictable. The Spring and summer months are the best time to visit the city with the temperatures being close to 20 degree centigrade.

Economy

Oxford is predominantly a university city and much of the Oxford's wealth has derived from its vast network of almost 40 Oxford University colleges. Employing over 7,000 people, almost 10 percent of Oxford's total workforce, Oxford University has a major contribution to Oxford's economy.

The manufacturing industry also plays an important part in economy of the city, especially, automobiles. The information Technology has its share in adding to the city treasury.

Oxford is also home to many thriving businesses and industries. Traditionally associated with both the car industry (at Cowley) and the printing and publishing sector, in recent years the area has become home to an increasing number of hi-tech companies.

Culture

Oxford is a city, which is rich with culture, being the home of people from so many ethnicities. The Natives look to the theaters and cinemas as an important way of entertainment. The Political culture of the city is also very vibrant with organizations like oxford Action Resource Center and the Corporate Watch.

The attractions of living in Oxford are many; its historic buildings, amenities, location and atmosphere make it a desirable place to live.

Oxford is a vibrant cosmopolitan town with a substantial proportion of both students and residents having non-English backgrounds, and a new urbanism has developed with many bars, cafes, restaurants, clubs, ethnic shops and fast food outlets.

Sports

There are good sports facilities in Oxford for participants, and these include Oxford golf courses, tennis courts, badminton courts, swimming pools, fitness centres and city gymnasiums.

The Oxford Rugby Union Football Club is located in central Oxford and rugby has a large following in Oxford.

Football is one of the most popular spectator sports in the Oxford area and the city's main football team is Oxford United.

Transportation

Oxford is well served by the Oxford public transport system, which includes an impressive network of buses and trains, providing Oxford with good connections throughout England.

Oxford is centrally located, close to the motorway and within easy access of several international airports, with very frequent connections by bus or train to London and other parts of the country.

Oxford also has its own airport that is located to the north of the city and is generally used by small-engine planes to destinations within the UK.