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20 November 2008 | Our local time: 13.41 GMT | ||
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Situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands, Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland. A major shipping port for centuries, it grew dramatically during the Industrial Revolution. Glasgow produced textiles, and engineered goods and steel for export. Ship-building became a major industry on the Clyde, building many famous ships including RMS Queen Mary and the Q.E.2. During this period, the construction of many of the city's greatest architectural masterpieces and most ambitious civic projects were being funded by its wealth.
The city centre on the north bank of the Clyde is based on a grid-iron of streets similar to many American cities. The heart of the city is George Square, site of many of Glasgow's public statues and the elaborate Victorian Glasgow City Chambers, headquarters of Glasgow City Council. To the south and west are the shopping precincts of Argyle, Sauchiehall and Buchanan Streets. The main shopping malls are Buchanan Galleries and the St Enoch Centre, as well as the more specialised, designer malls: Princes Square and the Italian Centre.
Glasgow's West End refers to the bohemian district of cafes, bars, boutiques, upmarket clubs and restaurants in the vicinity of Kelvingrove Park. Here is the University of Glasgow, BBC Scotland, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. The area's main thoroughfare is Byres Road and one of its most popular destinations, Ashton Lane, is renowned for its attractive cobbled streets and popular bars, pubs restaurants.