Liverpool lies within the ancient hundred of West Derby in the historic county of Lancashire.
It became a borough in 1207, a city in 1880 and a county borough independent of the newly created Lancashire County Council in 1889.
Its growth as a major port was accompanied by the expansion of the city throughout the Industrial Revolution.
.
In addition to general cargo, cargo, and raw materials such as coal and cotton, merchants engaged in the slave trade.
In the 19th century, Liverpool was the main port of departure for English and Irish emigrants to North America.
It was also home to the Cunard and White Star Lines, and home port of the ocean liners RMS Titanic, RMS Lusitania, RMS Queen Mary, RMS Queen Elizabeth and RMS Olympic.
Liverpool has the second largest number of art galleries, national museums, listed buildings and parks in the UK;
Liverpool's former maritime market town includes Pier Head, Albert Dock and William Brown Street.
Several areas of Liverpool city center have had World Heritage Site status from 2004 to 2021;
The city's extensive collection of parks and open spaces has been named "the most important in the country" by England's Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest.
In 2019, Liverpool became the fifth most visited city in the UK.
It is famous for its culture, architecture and transport links.
The city is closely associated with sports and the arts, especially music.
In sport, the city is best known as the home of Premier League football teams Liverpool.
The annual Grand National races take place at Aintree Racecourse.
Liverpool's importance to pop music is inextricably linked to the popularity and success of the Beatles, considered by many to be the most influential group of all time.
Liverpool continues to produce famous musicians.
The city's musicians have released 56 No. 1 hit singles, more than any other city in the world.
The city also has a long-standing reputation as the home of actors and actresses, artists, athletes, comedians, journalists, writers and poets.
Natives of Liverpool are formally called "Liverpudlians" but are commonly referred to as "Scousers" in reference to scouse, a local stew popular among sailors in the city;
"Scouse" is also the most common name for the Liverpudlian accent and dialect.
Its status as a port city has historically attracted a diverse population from a wide range of cultures, most notably Ireland, Norway and Wales.
It is also home to the oldest black community in the UK and the oldest Chinese community in Europe.