York (city, UK)

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Cathedral and industrial city and administrative headquarters of York unitary authority in northern England, on the River Ouse; population (2001) 137,500. It was the administrative headquarters of the county of North Yorkshire until 1996. Industries include tourism and the manufacture of scientific instruments, sugar, chocolate, and glass. Founded in AD 71 as the Roman provincial capital Eboracum, York retains many of its medieval streets and buildings and much of its 14th-century city wall; the Gothic York Minster, England's largest medieval cathedral, includes fine 15th-century stained glass. The city is visited by some 3 million tourists a year.

Features
The south transept of the York Minster was restored following severe damage caused by a fire in 1984. Four gates or ‘bars’ of the city wall survive, as well as the medieval streets including the Shambles. The Jorvik Viking Centre (1984) contains wooden remains of Viking houses. Other features include the Theatre Royal, site of a theatre since 1765; the Castle Museum; the National Railway Museum; and York University (1963).

History
Recent excavations of the Roman city have revealed the fortress, baths, and temples to Serapis and Mithras. The Roman missionary Paulinus became the first archbishop of York in 633. In 867 it became the Viking settlement of Jorvik. Later, under the Saxons, it became known as Eoforwick. During the Middle Ages it was important in the wool trade. An active Quaker element in the 18th and 19th centuries included the Rowntree family, which founded a chocolate factory. In the 19th century it developed as a railway centre. Britain's last train-building factory closed in 1995.

Known as ‘white sun in blue sky’, the flag of Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Zhong Shan appears in the canton. The rays of the sun represent 12 traditional Chinese hours (each equalling two hours) symbolizing progress. Red is a traditional Chinese colour. Effective date: 8 October 1928. >>