Talk:Leeds/draft
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leeds (pronounced /ˈliːdz/ Audio file "-" not found) is the major settlement within the City of Leeds,[2] a large metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. It is situated in the eastern foothills of the Pennines astride the River Aire in the northeastern part of the West Yorkshire Urban Area.[3] Leeds was historically a market town in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and formed a township and administrative centre of the Borough of Leeds. The township became a civil parish in 1866 and the Borough of Leeds formed an independent county borough from 1889, gaining city status in 1893. Its geographic location, availability of resources and good transport links led to its development as a major trading and industrial centre;[4] and its more recent economic history is underpinned by a shift from textiles and engineering to retail and finance.
This draft article and the companion Talk:City of Leeds/draft are being produced following a lengthy debate at Talk:Leeds |
Leeds | |
---|---|
An aerial view of Leeds | |
Location within West Yorkshire | |
Area | 109 km2 (42 sq mi) (2001, urban subdvision)[1] |
Population | 443,247 (2001, urban subdvision)[1] |
• Density | 4,066/km2 (10,530/sq mi) |
OS grid reference | SE297338 |
• London | 190 mi (310 km)SSE |
Metropolitan borough | |
Metropolitan county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | LEEDS |
Postcode district | LS1-LS13 |
Dialling code | 0113 |
Police | West Yorkshire |
Fire | West Yorkshire |
Ambulance | Yorkshire |
UK Parliament | |
53.80°N 1.55°W / 53.80; -1.55 |
In the 20th century the urban area of Leeds expanded, absorbing neighbouring towns and villages. Since a reform of local government in 1974 it has been part of the county of West Yorkshire; and forms the largest commercial, retail and leisure centre in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. Borough and city status are now held by the City of Leeds metropolitan district, which includes an extensive suburban and rural hinterland and the free-standing towns of Garforth, Wetherby, Rothwell, Morley and Otley as well as numerous small villages.[5][6] The regeneration of Leeds has reshaped it from a decaying and derelict post-industrial location to a significant regional economic centre, with a transformed built environment.