Greater Manchester was created in 1974 from the parts of Lancashire and Cheshire closest to the city of Manchester. Apart from Manchester the area covers the old Lancashire towns of Oldham, Bury and Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale, the city of Salford and the former Cheshire towns of Stockport and Altrincham.

Manchester was effectively the centre of the Industrial Revolution due to the cotton industry but is now undoubtedly best known for being the home of its football (soccer) team Manchester United - the most famous club in the world. In addition the city has produced some of the world's top pop music acts (Oasis, Simply Red and Take That, not to mention Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, M People, the Smiths, Morrisey and New Order!).