Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Plymouth - Enjoy The Waterfront And Historical Culture

By Frederick Hoymer

A popular spot on the Devon coastline is the city of Plymouth. Plymouth is found to the south west of London and is located between two different rivers; the Plym and Tamar Rivers. Here is plenty of history and culture to explore in Plymouth and artifacts have been found that date back to the Bronze and Iron Age. It is known that Plymouth was an important trading port during the Iron Age. Throughout time the city became more fortified and two of the four towers can still be viewed at the royal Citadel and also on Mount Batten.

The main industry of Plymouth was wool during the 16th century but it was also a hot spot for maritime trade. This is where the pilgrims set sail to establish a colony on the New World and Sir Francis Drake sailed his ship from Plymouth for the Spanish Armada.

Eventually the maritime industry declined as the cost of exporting form Plymouth became too great. The construction of the dockyards at Plymouth produced an affluent time due to shipbuilding as the dockyards produced much of the wealth in the 17th and 18th century. It was around the dockyards that much development occurred during this period.

Plymouth was very important in World War II as it came under heavy bombing and many people lost their lives. The dockyards were refitted to be able to accommodate aircraft carriers and a nuclear submarine base was built. Since then the army has left Plymouth though Plymouth is the home of the 42 Commando Royal Marines.

The geology around Plymouth is of particular interest and has been labeled an area of special scientific interest as you can find a mixture of granite, limestone and slate. A lot of the buildings in the city have been constructed using the local limestone. Plymouth also has a favorable weather to the rest of the country as it is milder but also wetter. These conditions make it perfect for growing more exotic plants.

Union Street is always a popular stop as there is plenty of history. This street is the spot for entertainment and a particular favorite of the military.

A great time to visit Plymouth is in August during the British Firework Championships. Thousands of people flock to Plymouth to view the fireworks.

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