West Yorkshire

I

Introduction

West Yorkshire, non-administrative metropolitan county, northern England, bounded on the north and east by North Yorkshire; on the south by South Yorkshire; on the south-west by Greater Manchester; and on the west by Lancashire. West Yorkshire was created by the local government reforms in 1974 from the western part of the former West Riding of Yorkshire; in 1986 the council was abolished, and five new metropolitan district councils were created: Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield. These took on many of the functions of the county council. West Yorkshire has a land area of 2,039 sq km (787 sq mi).

II

Land and Resources

The major part of West Yorkshire is formed by the Pennine Hills, which rise in the west to a height of 457 m (1,500 ft). The River Aire cuts a gap through the range, dividing the county into two distinct areas. To the north of the Aire valley, or Airedale, there is mostly limestone, capped by millstone grit. To the south, there is millstone grit, flanked on the east by coal measures. In the east of the county is a gentle limestone ridge that dips down into the Vale of York.

The climate of West Yorkshire is variable. The winters are often long and harsh, with heavy snowfalls on the Pennines. The average annual rainfall is in the region of 635-760 mm (25-30 in).

III

Population

The population of West Yorkshire was estimated in 2001 at 2,079,217. The principal cities are Leeds (2001 estimate, 715,500), the commercial and industrial centre of the county; Bradford (2001 estimate, 467,900); and Wakefield (2001 estimate, 315,400), ancient textile towns and the centre of the English wool industry. Huddersfield (now administrative centre of Kirklees borough) and Halifax (administrative centre of Calderdale borough) are also former textile towns. West Yorkshire has one of the largest ethnic minority populations in the country, including a substantial Asian community, particularly in the urban areas of Bradford, Kirklees, and Leeds.

IV

Education and Culture

The University of Leeds was founded in 1904, and the University of Bradford in 1966. In 1992 two former polytechnics were granted university status: the University of Huddersfield and Leeds Metropolitan University. Leeds Grammar School was founded in 1552, and Bradford Grammar School in 1662. Ackworth School was originally an appendage of the London Foundling Hospital, but since 1779 has been run by the Society of Friends as a boarding school for Quaker children.

The county is home to two prominent football clubs, Leeds United FC and Bradford City AFC. Huddersfield Town FC and Halifax Town FC are also based in West Yorkshire. The region is also famous for rugby league; the most important sides are from Leeds, Bradford, Castleford, Halifax, Huddersfield, and Wakefield. Horse racing takes place at Pontefract and Wetherby. The headquarters of Yorkshire County Cricket Club are based at Headingley, Leeds, a ground also used for Test matches.

Famous people from West Yorkshire include artist David Hockney, born in Bradford; composer Frederick Delius and writer J. B. Priestley (also both from Bradford); poet Ted Hughes (from Mytholmroyd); former British prime minister Harold Wilson and actor James Mason (both from Huddersfield); and comedian Ernie Wise and playwright Alan Bennett (both born in Leeds).