What is Manchester County Called?
Manchester is a vibrant city located within the Metropolitan County of Greater Manchester in North West England. While Manchester is a principal area and a city in its own right, Greater Manchester serves as its overarching administrative county.
The Administrative County: Greater Manchester
Since 1974, Manchester has been part of the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester. This administrative area was established as part of the Local Government Act 1972, which aimed to streamline local governance by grouping various urban areas and districts around the city of Manchester into a single metropolitan county. Greater Manchester is now overseen by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which manages strategic functions such as transport, economic development, and policing across the metropolitan area.
- Key Fact: Greater Manchester is one of England's largest metropolitan counties in terms of both population and economic output.
- Structure: The metropolitan county is composed of ten metropolitan boroughs, with the City of Manchester being one of these constituent boroughs.
Manchester's Historic County Roots
Historically, the geographical area that constitutes Manchester spans two significant traditional counties:
- Lancashire: A substantial portion of the city, including its historic core and many well-known central areas and landmarks, traditionally lies within the historic county of Lancashire.
- Cheshire: An area of Manchester situated to the south of the River Mersey extends into the historic county of Cheshire. This dual historical association reflects the ancient territorial boundaries that existed long before modern administrative reconfigurations.
These historic county affiliations continue to hold cultural and traditional importance for residents, even as Greater Manchester serves as the primary administrative structure today.
Understanding "County" in the UK Context
The term "county" in the United Kingdom can refer to several different types of administrative or geographical divisions, which can sometimes lead to confusion:
- Historic Counties: These are ancient geographical divisions with deep historical and cultural significance (e.g., Lancashire, Cheshire).
- Administrative Counties: These are modern local government areas, which can be non-metropolitan counties, metropolitan counties (like Greater Manchester), or unitary authorities, established for administrative purposes.
- Ceremonial Counties: These are areas for which a Lord-Lieutenant is appointed by the monarch. They often align with modern administrative counties or combinations thereof. Greater Manchester also functions as a ceremonial county.
Therefore, while Manchester's current administrative county is Greater Manchester, its deep historical ties to Lancashire and Cheshire remain an integral part of its identity and heritage.
- Further Information:
- Learn more about the Greater Manchester Combined Authority's role in the region on their official website: Greater Manchester Combined Authority
- Explore the foundational legislation behind modern local government in England: Local Government Act 1972