Liverpool (/lvrpul/) is a city in North West England, with an estimated population of

478,580 in 2015.[4] With its surrounding areas, it is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the
UK, with over 2.24 million people in 2011.[5] The local authority is Liverpool City Council,
the most populous local government district within the metropolitan county of Merseyside
and the largest within the Liverpool City Region.

Liverpool is located on the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary, and historically lay within the
ancient hundred of West Derby in the south west of the county of Lancashire.[6][7] It became a
borough in 1207 and a city in 1880. In 1889, it became a county borough independent of
Lancashire. Its growth as a major port was paralleled by the expansion of the city throughout
the Industrial Revolution. Along with handling general cargo, freight, raw materials such as
coal and cotton, the city merchants were involved in the Atlantic slave trade. In the 19th
century, it was a major port of departure for Irish and English emigrants to the United States.
Liverpool was home to both the Cunard and White Star Line, and was the port of registry of
the ocean liner RMS Titanic, the RMS Lusitania, Queen Mary and Olympic.

The popularity of The Beatles and other groups from the Merseybeat era contributes to
Liverpool's status as a tourist destination. Liverpool is also the home of two Premier League
football clubs, Liverpool and Everton, matches between the two being known as the
Merseyside derby. The city's namesake club is the sole British club to win five European
Cups. The world-famous Grand National horse race takes place annually at Aintree
Racecourse on the outskirts of the city.

The city celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2007. In 2008 it was nominated as the annual
European Capital of Culture together with Stavanger, Norway.[8] Several areas of the city
centre were granted World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 2004. The Liverpool
Maritime Mercantile City includes the Pier Head, Albert Dock, and William Brown Street.[9]
Liverpool's status as a port city has attracted a diverse population, which, historically, was
drawn from a wide range of peoples, cultures, and religions, particularly from Ireland and
Wales. The city is also home to the oldest Black African community in the country and the
oldest Chinese community in Europe.

Natives of the city of Liverpool are referred to as Liverpudlians, and colloquially as

"Scousers", a reference to "scouse", a form of stew. The word "Scouse" has also become
synonymous with the Liverpool accent and dialect. Another term for denizens of the city is
Liverpolitan, although Liverpolitan may also be used for residents of the wider Liverpool
City Region.