Bristol

  A city as well as a county in South West England, the Bristol city is the 12^th largest in England in terms of area and 10^th in terms of population. According to the latest census conducted in 2017, Bristol has a citizen strength of 454,200.

Bristol received its royal charter in 1155 AD and till the 14^th century, it remained divided between Gloucestershire and Somerset before becoming a county itself. Bristol remained in a strong financial position during the 13th to the 18th century as it stood third in England in terms of tax receipts. It was only during the Industrial Revolution that the cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool surpassed Bristol. The currency in use in Bristol is also the largest being used in the United Kingdom – the Bristol Pound.

As far as education is concerned, Bristol houses two universities – The University of Bristol and the University of the West of England. Besides it also houses sporting and artistic venues such as the Spike Island, Memorial Stadium and Ashton Gate.

Bristol has been known for explorations since long. Explorers have many times visited the North Americas on their ships. John Cabot, the first European to visit the North America since the Vikings started his voyage from Bristol. Ships from Bristol also carried slaves from Africa to Americas during the 18^th and the 19^th centuries. In 1807 2000 slave ships carried 500,000 slaves to the Americas from Africa.

Sports

The city of is home to clubs playing almost every sport such as football, rugby, cricket, basketball and many others. Bristol City and Bristol Rovers‍ are the Football League clubs in Bristol. The former club, Bristol City, was formed in 1897 and within a span of 10 years they ended up as runner-ups in 1907 in the Division One league. In 1909 they ended up as runner-ups in FA Cup final. However, they started sinking thereafter and by 1982 declared themselves to be bankrupt. In 2007 they got promoted to the second tier of the English League where they lost to Hull City in the playoffs for being promoted to the Premier League.

Bristol Rovers came into existence in 1883 and since then have won Division Three South in 1952–53 and Division Three in 198990 and the Watney Cup in 1972. They ended up as runners-up in 2006-2007 for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

The Bristol also plays rugby. Formed in 1888, Bristol Rugby was earlier known as Bristol Football Club. Since 1888, the club has been constantly performing at very high levels of the game.

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is known to play county cricket at the Bristol County Ground. The Bristol County Ground is also known as the only international sports ground in the south west of England. The club won 9 trophies between 1999 and 2006. During this period it also acquired a double-double by winning both the Benson & Hedges trophy and the C& G trophy in two consecutive years i.e. 1999 and 2000.

Transport

There are two main railway stations in Bristol - Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway. Bristol Temple Meads offers fast-running trains to local, regional, London Paddington and CrossCountry trains. There are such trains running from Bristol Parkway also that connect to Cardiff Central, Swansea, and London Paddington. There are Cross-Country services to the North East and Birmingham. The South Western Railway also offers some limited service to London Waterloo via Clapham Junction.

Bristol is also coming up with a new bus rapid transit system or the Metrobus that will provide a faster and better bus service to reduce overcrowding. This system of rapid transportation will be able to run concurrently on both bus lanes as well as secluded and directed busways.