Scotland: Main Centres - Glasgow

Glasgow Population ~700000	Early History	Located at the probable lowest ford on the R Clyde. This would have lain on the main N-S Roman road. In 6thC St Mungo (patron saint) built a church on the site of the present Cathedral. This area was then part of the Kingdom of Strathclyde. Glasgow has been an important ecclesiastic and scholastic centre since at least the 11thC but in pre-industrial times remained small because it was of little strategic importance.University was opened in 1451.
	Industry	Trade with the Americas (tobacco and sugar) began from mid 17thC. From around 1800 cotton was the biggest import and from this textile industries grew. Exploitation of coal and iron followed and with a dredged and narrowed Clyde, Glasgow became a port and shipbuilding centre. By the end of the 19thC Glasgow had become the 'second city of the British Empire' and 'second city of Europe' (after London). Grand hotels, offices, shops, galleries, theatres, new university buildings, squares, parks and bridges from this era are a major feature of Glasgow's landscape.
	Now	Although the heavy industry benefited (if I dare put it that way) from the two world wars there was decline in traditional industries through the 20thC. After WWI there was unrest on Red Clydeside and the depression. After WWII huge areas of slum industrial housing was cleared but the new areas created on the fringes of the city with few amenities brought there own problems. The heavy industry has all but disappeared and shipbuilding is a tiny shadow of it's peak. But new industries and employment (often high tech) have evolved and Glasgow has become the hub of the new towns which have grown up since WWII around it. Late 20thC Glasgow has much to offer: an attractive Victorian city centre with vibrant businesses, shops and entertainment. There are parks, museums and galleries around the city and a transport system allows access to the coast, the country or the highlands in less than an hour. Glasgow has 3 of Scotland's 10 most visited tourist attractions: Kelvingrove Gallery and Museum Glasgow Botanical Gardens Museum of Transport also, there's ..... Burrell Collection Cathedral (12/13thC) The People's Palace Hunterian Art Gallery Pollock House Hagg's Castle St Enoch's Centre (shopping mall) The Underground (known affectionately as the 'Clockwork Orange') ... and much more.

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