Situated on the north bank of the River Mersey, Liverpool started out as a small riverside village in the 13th century and later became one of the UK’s major trading cities that rose to prominence during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Built on the back of a booming economy, Liverpool boasts many impressive sites including the Albert Dock, St George’s Hall, the Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building; the latter was built with ostentatious displays of wealth as a sign to those entering the city via the Mersey that Liverpool was a magnificent city and a great place to do business.

But what makes Liverpool so unique is its people: Liverpudlians, like the city itself, are a bold and brash bunch that are fiercely proud of their regional identity. Typified by an instantly recognisable accent, true Liverpudlians speak ‘Scouse’, a dialect distinct from its Lancashire neighbours that’s recognised and imitated the world over.

The city’s most famous sons are undoubtedly The Beatles and the city attracts many visitors who come to follow the trail of the Fab Four from their humble beginnings to international stardom as the world’s first super band. Up to a million people visit Liverpool each year to see the hometown of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

And it is impossible to talk about Liverpool without talking about football; there are two main teams, Everton in blue shirts and Liverpool in red, and both play in England’s top Premiership league. Male or female, young or old, it seems like the entire city is passionate about the sport. One could indeed argue that Liverpool is in fact the most successful football city in the UK, as its two teams have won a total of 27 league titles. No other city in the UK can match that.

The red half of the city had extra reason to celebrate in 2005 when Liverpool were crowned champions of Europe after overturning a 3-0 deficit to beat AC Milan on penalties in the Champions League Final in a spectacular game that’s still fondly talked about around the city’s bars.

On account of its cultural riches Liverpool has been named European Capital of Culture for 2008. Expect festivals and special events galore for a whole year. As if that wasn’t enough, Liverpool celebrates its own 800th anniversary in 2007, so again, there will be plenty of things going on in the city by the River Mersey.