Salford

Coordinates: 53°28′59″N 2°17′35″W / 53.483, -2.2931

Salford is a city within Greater Manchester, in North West England. The city's eastern boundary separates Salford from the City of Manchester.

The central business districts of the two cities are divided by the River Irwell. With neighbouring towns Salford forms the metropolitan borough of the City of Salford. At the 2001 census the metropolitan borough had a population of 216,103 whilst Salford itself had a population of 72,750. Salford's nickname is "Dirty Old Town" after the famous folk song.

Historically part of Lancashire, Salford gave its name to the ancient hundred of Salford (sometimes called Salfordshire). The settlement's early history was marked by the granting of a charter by Ranulf, Earl of Chester, about 1230. The charter made Salford a free borough. The old medieval centre of Salford was located next to the River Irwell, on the opposite bank to Manchester. Old streets such as Greengate and Gravel Lane formed the market area.

Salford today is a centre of higher education, being the location of the University of Salford.