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Culture and creativity have given form to this city. Street art and public works are visible at every turn, creating a diverse and vibrant urban landscape. building design is innovative, striking, visionary. Galleries and museums – such as the glass-skinned Urbis – showcase artworks and exhibitions of national and international importance. Adding further to its cultural credentials, the city hosted the first Manchester international festival in 2007, featuring new works by leading figures in the arts and popular culture.

Manchester is famous for its world- class venues, among them Manchester Central and Bridgewater Hall, home to the Hallé Orchestra. Also the MEN arena, which provides a stage for the world’s top performers.

This is a city with a soundtrack. Music of all forms is very much a part of Manchester life, from pub jams and intimate gigs, to formal recitals and stadium events. The roster of music venues in the city reflects this diversity: The Roadhouse, the band on the Wall, the Lowry at Salford Quays, the Apollo, Manchester Academy and the city’s universities.

Manchester has more theatres than any city outside London which means there’s every opportunity to enjoy all styles of performance – from grand-scale West End musicals to new experimental works.

Shopping in Manchester is a pursuit in its own right. Hit the aisles of the high street chains or head upmarket to the designer labels of Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Karen Millen. Shop large at Harvey Nichols or go boho at any number of small boutiques. Still going strong? There are giant malls and chic arcades as well as local independents, farmers’ markets and stalls.

Manchester is truly a city of sport. Built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, Sportcity boasts the City of Manchester Stadium, home of Manchester City FC, as well as the national Cycling arena and England’s national squash Centre. The city’s other great sporting landmark is Old Trafford – Manchester United’s ‘Theatre of Dreams’. In 2007 the city will host a range of championship events including UK badminton, and water polo, and World Cup track cycling. And in 2008 there are three world championships: cycling, swimming and the Paralympic World Cup.

This is life in Manchester.