North West England

Population

According to mid-2006 estimates, the North West region is home to 6,853,200 people.

Geography

Covering 5.8% of the total UK land area, the North West region is comprised of the counties of Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

Economy

North West England is one of the most important economic and industrial regions in the UK. With a thriving ?111 billion economy, it is the 12th largest in Europe, greater than several individual European Union member states. The region economically ranks third only behind London and South East of England. According to government statistics, in 2003, the North West generated an impressive ?97.6bn in Gross Value Added (GVA), a sum equivalent to 10.3% of the nation’s wealth creation. Some 21% of the region’s wealth is generated by manufacturing industry. Over 800 aerospace companies contribute ?7 billion per year to the local economy, which is a third of the UK’s entire GVA in the aerospace sector. 25% of the region’s wealth comes from financial and business services while around 13% of its wealth is created by wholesale and retail.

Dining Out

The region boasts a diverse range of restaurants, cafes, bars, diners, inns and public houses serving excellent local delicacies and a variety of international tastes.

Transport

The region’s airports serve over 270 destinations worldwide. Running all the way from Carlisle and Scotland in the north to Warrington in the south, the M6 motorway network connects Penrith, Kendal, Lancaster, Preston, Liverpool and Manchester.

Arts & Culture

The region is a source of cultural adventure. From high art to popular culture, the North West offers countless experiences. Fells and lakes along with the vibrant city centres of Liverpool and Manchester, there is a lot to discover. With extraordinary city centre museums and galleries, abundance of sport and music venues and over 100 professional theatre companies, the region boasts an unrivalled programme of drama and performance all year round.

Lifestyle & Outdoor Recreation

From the rolling Cheshire Plain to wild and rugged Scafell Pike there are many outdoor options. The region boasts England’s largest National Park, three ‘Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and miles of outstanding coastline. The sandhills and dunes of Formby provide the largest area of undeveloped dunes and coastal woodland in England.

On the Net

http://www.englandsnorthwest.com/

http://www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com

http://www.gonw.gov.uk/

http://www.nwra.gov.uk/

Weather

The region has a temperate climate with relatively cool summers and mild winters.

Below are the average temperature figures for Lancashire:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Avg. Max.

7°C

7°C

9°C

12°C

16°C

18°C

20°C

19°C

17°C

13°C

9°C

8°C

Avg. Min.

2°C

2°C

3°C

4°C

7°C

11°C

13°C

12°C

10°C

7°C

4°C

3°C

Mean

5°C

4°C

7°C

8°C

12°C

14°C

17°C

16°C

14°C

11°C

7°C

6°C