View source for Geography of Greater Manchester

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2019}}
[[File:Manchester from Billinge Hill.jpg|right|thumb|[[Greater Manchester]] from [[Billinge Hill]]]]
[[File:North Greater Manchester.jpg|thumb|right|Greater Manchester is heavily [[urbanised]] and consists of vast [[Urban area|built up]] areas and many settlements.]]
[[File:Stalybridge towards Manchester.jpg|thumb|right|A view over the borough of [[Tameside]], towards [[Manchester City Centre]]]]
The '''geography of Greater Manchester''' is dominated by one of the [[United Kingdom]]'s largest [[metropolitan area]]s, and in this capacity the landlocked [[metropolitan county]] constitutes one of the most urbanised and densely populated areas of the country. There is a mix of high density [[urban area]]s, [[suburbs]], semi-rural and [[rural]] locations in [[Greater Manchester]], but overwhelmingly the land use in the county is urban.<ref name="GMLTP">{{cite web |url=http://www.gmltp.co.uk/gmltp2_html/section_123173639918.html |title=The Greater Manchester Area and its Regional Context |author=Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority |publisher=gmltp.co.uk |access-date=2007-04-11|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927205808/http://www.gmltp.co.uk/gmltp2_html/section_123173639918.html |archive-date=2007-09-27 }}</ref>

Greater Manchester is a landlocked county spanning {{convert|492.7|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} ([[List of ceremonial counties of England|39th largest in England]]). The [[Pennines]] rise along the eastern side of the county, through parts of the boroughs of [[Oldham]], [[Rochdale]] and [[Tameside]]. The [[West Pennine Moors]], as well as a number of coalfields (mainly sandstones and shales) lie in the west of the county. The rivers [[River Mersey|Mersey]], [[River Irwell|Irwell]] and [[River Tame, Greater Manchester|Tame]] run through the county boundaries, each of which rise in the Pennines. Other rivers run through the county, including the [[River Beal|Beal]], the [[River Douglas, Lancashire|Douglas]], the [[River Etherow|Etherow]], the [[River Goyt|Goyt]], the [[River Irk|Irk]], the [[River Medlock|Medlock]] and the [[River Roch|Roch]]. [[Black Chew Head]] is the [[List of English counties by highest point|highest point]] of Greater Manchester, rising {{convert|542|m|ft|0}} above sea-level, within the parish of [[Saddleworth]].<ref>Dawson, A., (1992),
''The Relative Hills of Britain - Chapter 6: The County Tops'', Cicerone Press, Milnthorpe, Cumbria.</ref> [[Chat Moss]] at {{convert|10.6|sqmi|km2|0}} comprises the largest area of Grade 1 and 2 farmland in Greater Manchester and contains the largest block of semi-natural woodland in the county.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/naturalenvironment/landscape/chatmoss.htm |title=Chat Moss |author=Salford City Council |publisher=salford.gov.uk |year=2007 |access-date=2007-11-13 |format=http |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928043525/http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/naturalenvironment/landscape/chatmoss.htm |archive-date=2008-09-28 }}</ref> [[Wardle, Greater Manchester|Wardle]] is the most northerly settlement of Greater Manchester and Ramsden Clough the most northerly point; the suburb of [[Woodford, Greater Manchester|Woodford]] the most southerly settlement and New Hall Farm (by the [[River Dean]]) the most southerly point.

Greater Manchester has a strong regional [[central business district]], formed by [[Manchester City Centre]] and the adjoining parts of [[Salford, Greater Manchester|Salford]] and [[Trafford]]. However, Greater Manchester is also a polycentric county with ten metropolitan districts,<ref name="GMLTP"/> each of which has a major town centre &ndash; and in some cases more than one  &ndash; and many smaller settlements.  Greater Manchester is arguably the most complex urban area in the United Kingdom outside [[London]],<ref name="GMLTP"/> and this is reflected in the density of its transport network and the scale of needs for investment to meet the growing and diverse movement demands generated by its development pattern.

==Settlements==
{{main|List of places in Greater Manchester}}
The following table outlines the county's major settlements, formatted according to metropolitan borough.
<!---IF POPULATING THIS TABLE, PLEASE ARRANGE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. PLEASE BE MINDFUL THAT A DISTRICT OF A SETTLEMENT ALREADY MENTIONED IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO LINK HERE - THESE SHOULD BE WITHIN THEIR SETTLEMENT'S ARTICLE--->
{| class="wikitable" style="border:0px;text-align:left;line-height:150%;"
! Metropolitan county || colspan="2" | Metropolitan district || Centre of administration || Other components
|-
|rowspan=10| '''Greater Manchester'''
| [[Metropolitan Borough of Bury|Bury]] || [[File:GreaterManchesterBury.png|50px]]
| [[Bury, Greater Manchester|Bury]]
| [[Prestwich]], [[Radcliffe, Greater Manchester|Radcliffe]], [[Ramsbottom]], [[Tottington, Greater Manchester|Tottington]], [[Whitefield, Greater Manchester|Whitefield]]
|-
| [[Metropolitan Borough of Bolton|Bolton]] || [[File:GreaterManchesterBolton.png|50px]]
| [[Bolton]]
| [[Blackrod]], [[Farnworth]], [[Horwich]], [[Kearsley]], [[Little Lever]], [[South Turton]], [[Westhoughton]]
|-
| [[Manchester]] || [[File:GreaterManchesterManchester.png|50px]]
| [[Manchester City Centre|Manchester<br />(city centre)]]
| [[Blackley]], [[Burnage]], [[Cheetham Hill]], [[Chorlton-cum-Hardy]], [[Didsbury]], [[Ringway, Greater Manchester|Ringway]], [[Withington]], [[Wythenshawe]],
|-
| [[Metropolitan Borough of Oldham|Oldham]] || [[File:GreaterManchesterOldham.png|50px]]
| [[Oldham]]
| [[Chadderton]], [[Shaw and Crompton]], [[Failsworth]], [[Lees, Greater Manchester|Lees]], [[Royton]], [[Saddleworth]]
|-
| [[Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale|Rochdale]] || [[File:GreaterManchesterRochdale.png|50px]]
| [[Rochdale]]
| [[Heywood, Greater Manchester|Heywood]], [[Littleborough, Greater Manchester|Littleborough]], [[Middleton, Greater Manchester|Middleton]], [[Milnrow]], [[Newhey]], [[Wardle, Greater Manchester|Wardle]]
|-
| [[City of Salford|Salford]] || [[File:GreaterManchesterSalford.png|50px]]
| [[Swinton, Greater Manchester|Swinton]]
| [[Eccles, Greater Manchester|Eccles]], [[Walkden]], [[Worsley]], [[Salford, Greater Manchester|Salford]], [[Irlam]], [[Pendlebury]], [[Cadishead]]
|-
| [[Metropolitan Borough of Stockport|Stockport]] || [[File:GreaterManchesterStockport.png|50px]]
| [[Stockport]]
| [[Bramhall]], [[Bredbury]], [[Cheadle, Greater Manchester|Cheadle]], [[Gatley]], [[Hazel Grove]], [[Marple, Greater Manchester|Marple]], [[Reddish]], [[Romiley]]
|-
| [[Tameside]] || [[File:GreaterManchesterTameside.png|50px]]
| [[Ashton-under-Lyne]]
| [[Audenshaw]], [[Denton, Greater Manchester|Denton]], [[Droylsden]], [[Dukinfield]], [[Hyde, Greater Manchester|Hyde]], [[Longdendale]],  [[Mossley]], [[Stalybridge]]
|-
| [[Trafford]] || [[File:GreaterManchesterTrafford.png|50px]]
| [[Stretford]]
| [[Altrincham]], [[Bowdon, Greater Manchester|Bowdon]], [[Hale, Greater Manchester|Hale]], [[Old Trafford (district)|Old Trafford]], [[Sale, Greater Manchester|Sale]], [[Urmston]]
|-
| [[Metropolitan Borough of Wigan|Wigan]] || [[File:GreaterManchesterWigan.png|50px]]
| [[Wigan]]
| [[Abram, Greater Manchester|Abram]], [[Ashton-in-Makerfield]], [[Aspull]], [[Astley, Greater Manchester|Astley]], [[Atherton, Greater Manchester|Atherton]], [[Bryn, Greater Manchester|Bryn]], [[Golborne]], [[Higher End]],  [[Hindley, Greater Manchester|Hindley]], [[Ince-in-Makerfield]], [[Leigh, Greater Manchester|Leigh]], [[Orrell, Greater Manchester|Orrell]], [[Standish, Greater Manchester|Standish]], [[Shevington]], [[Tyldesley]], [[Winstanley, Greater Manchester|Winstanley]]
|-
|}

==Physical and extreme points==

===County top===
{{see also|List of English counties by highest point}}
[[File:Black Chew Head Moorland - geograph.org.uk - 375773.jpg|thumb|right|[[Black Chew Head]] is the [[List of English counties by highest point|County Top]] of Greater Manchester, at {{convert|542|m}} above sea level.]]
*Highest point ([[List of English counties by highest point|County Top]]) &ndash; [[Black Chew Head]] ({{convert|542|m}} above sea level), at {{coord|53|30|57.96|N|1|55|17.76|W|region:GB-NBL_type:landmark}}

===Extremities===
{{see also|Extreme points of the United Kingdom}}
The extreme points of Greater Manchester are:

*Northernmost point &ndash; Ramsden Clough at {{coord|53|41|8.99|N|2|08|2.27|W|region:GB-NBL_type:landmark}}
*Northernmost settlement &ndash; [[Wardle, Greater Manchester|Wardle]] at {{coord|53|38|52.08|N|2|07|56.28|W|region:GB-NBL_type:city}}
*Southernmost point &ndash; New Hall Farm/[[River Dean]] at {{coord|53|19|37.77|N|2|09|40.9|W|region:GB-CON_type:landmark}}
*Southernmost settlement &ndash; [[Woodford, Greater Manchester|Woodford]] at {{coord|53|20|20.4|N|2|9|21.6|W|region:GB-CON_type:city}}
*Westernmost point &ndash; Pimbo/Sand Brook at {{coord|53|31|12.3|N|2|43|50.5|W|region:GB-CON_type:landmark}}
*Westernmost settlement &ndash; [[Orrell, Greater Manchester|Orrell]]  at {{coord|53|31|54.84|N|2|42|29.52|W|region:GB-CON_type:city}}
*Easternmost point &ndash; Holme Clough Croft (on [[Saddleworth Moor]]) at {{coord|53|32|18.47|N|1|54|36.66|W|region:GB-SFK_type:landmark}}
*Easternmost settlement &ndash; [[Diggle, Greater Manchester|Diggle]] at {{coord|53|34|6.6|N|1|59|42.72|W|region:GB-SFK_type:city}}

===Geographic midpoint===
{{see also|Centre points of the United Kingdom}}
*[[Centroid]]/Geographic midpoint &ndash; [[St. Matthew with St. Mary Church, Manchester|St Matthew's Church]], [[Crumpsall]] {{coord|53|31|5.76|N|2|14|2.76|W|region:GB-CON_type:landmark}}

===Borough tops===
The following lists and ranks the highest point of each of Greater Manchester's metropolitan boroughs:{{sfn|Muir|2011|pp=201–204}}
{{Location map+ | Greater Manchester
| float          = right
| relief = 1
| width = 400
| caption = The high points of each of Greater Manchester's metropolitan boroughs{{sfn|Muir|2011|pp=201–204}}
| places ={{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = [[Black Chew Head]]
    | position = left
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = Black Chew Head
    | lat_deg = 53.5142 
    | lon_deg = -1.916267
  }}
{{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = Hoarstone Edge
    | position = bottom
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = 
    | lat_deg = 53.511529
    | lon_deg = -1.972065
  }}
{{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = [[Blackstone Edge]]
    | position = left
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = Blackstone Edge
    | lat_deg = 53.643652
    | lon_deg = -2.044585
  }}
{{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = [[Winter Hill (North West England)|Winter Hill]]
    | position = top
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = Winter Hill (North West England)
    | lat_deg = 53.627285
    | lon_deg = -2.511791
  }}
{{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = Holcolmbe Moor
    | position = top
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = Holcombe, Greater Manchester
    | lat_deg = 53.667351
    | lon_deg = -2.371522
  }}
{{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = Mellor Moor
    | position = top
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = Mellor, Greater Manchester
    | lat_deg = 53.382096
    | lon_deg = -2.021759
  }}
{{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = [[Billinge Hill]]
    | position = top
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = Billinge Hill
    | lat_deg = 53.511161 
    | lon_deg = -2.719993
  }}
{{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = Greenheys
    | position = top
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = Little Hulton
    | lat_deg = 53.540407
    | lon_deg = -2.433785
  }}
{{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = Greenheys
    | position = top
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = Little Hulton
    | lat_deg = 53.540407
    | lon_deg = -2.433785
  }}
{{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = [[Heaton Park]]
    | position = top
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = Heaton Park
    | lat_deg = 53.537335
    | lon_deg = -2.251183
  }}
{{Location map~ | Greater Manchester
    | label = The Devisdale
    | position = top
    | marksize = 8
    | mark =  Red_triangle_with_thick_white_border.svg
    | link = Bowdon, Greater Manchester
    | lat_deg = 53.37884
    | lon_deg = -2.365998
  }}
}}

{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Rank!![[Metropolitan borough]]!!Height (m)!!Name!!Grid reference
|-
|1
|[[Metropolitan Borough of Oldham|Oldham]]
| 542
| [[Black Chew Head]]
| {{gbm4ibx|SE056019}}
|-
|2
|[[Tameside]]
| 497
| Hoarstone Edge
| {{gbm4ibx|SE019016}}
|-
|3
|[[Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale|Rochdale]]
| 474
| [[Blackstone Edge]]
| {{gbm4ibx|SD971163}}
|-
|4
|[[Metropolitan Borough of Bolton|Bolton]]
| 445
| [[Winter Hill (North West England)|Winter Hill]]
| {{gbm4ibx|SD662146}}
|-
|5
|[[Metropolitan Borough of Bury|Bury]]
| 415
| Holcombe Moor
| {{gbm4ibx|SD755190}}
|-
|6
|[[Metropolitan Borough of Stockport|Stockport]]
| 327
| Mellor Moor
| {{gbm4ibx|SJ986872}}
|-
|7
|[[Metropolitan Borough of Wigan|Wigan]]
| 156
| [[Billinge Hill]]
| {{gbm4ibx|SD523018}}
|-
|8
|[[City of Salford|Salford]]
| 115
| [[Little Hulton|Greenheys]]
| {{gbm4ibx|SD713049}}
|-
|9
|[[Manchester]]
| 108
| [[Heaton Park]]
| {{gbm4ibx|SD834045}}
|-
|10
|[[Trafford]]
| 70
| The Devisdale
| {{gbm4ibx|SJ757869}}
|-
|}

==Geology==
{{further|Geology of England|Geology of the English counties|Geology of Alderley Edge}}
The underlying geology of Greater Manchester is dominated by rocks from three main periods from the [[geologic time scale]]—[[Carboniferous]], [[Permian]]-and-[[Triassic]], and [[Quaternary]].<ref name=NaturalEngland>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/geodiversity/englands/counties/area_ID15.aspx|publisher=naturalengland.org.uk|author=Natural England|author-link=Natural England|access-date=2012-09-28|title=Greater Manchester (including: Wigan, Bolton, Salford, Trafford, Bury, Rochdale, Stockport, Manchester, Tameside and Oldham)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327093145/http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/geodiversity/englands/counties/area_ID15.aspx|archive-date=2012-03-27}}</ref>

Most of Manchester, and its suburban fringe to the south, is located on Permian sandstones and red Triassic sandstones and mudstones, mantled by thick deposits of till and pockets of sand and gravel deposited by glaciers at the end of the [[last glacial period]], some 15,000 years ago.<ref name=NaturalEngland/> The oldest rocks, from the Upper Carboniferous period, are sandstones and shales of [[Millstone Grit]] present as outcrops and uplands in the north-east of Greater Manchester, such as the upland moors of [[Dark Peak]] and [[South Pennines]] to the east and northeast of Rochdale, Oldham and Stalybridge. These rocks are overlain by shales, mudstones and thin coals of [[Coal Measures]] upon which the towns of Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton and Wigan are located. An outcrop of Coal Measures extends southwards down through [[Tameside]] and into [[Hazel Grove]].<ref name=NaturalEngland/>

Starting in October 2002, a relatively large number of earthquakes were recorded in Greater Manchester, some of which were among [[List of earthquakes in the British Isles|notable tremours in the British Isles]]. By the end of November 2002 more than 100 earthquakes had been recorded by the [[British Geological Survey]].<ref name=NaturalEngland/> The first quake, of magnitude 3.2 on the Richter Scale, struck on Monday 21 October 2002, with an epicentre about {{convert|1|mi|km}} east of [[Manchester Piccadilly station]] at a depth of {{convert|3.4|km|mi}} A second quake of magnitude 3.9 on the Richter Scale followed four hours later and was followed by a further two substantial earthquakes on 22 October 2002. The epicentres were within a region of about {{convert|1|km|mi}} in diameter, about {{convert|2|km|mi}} northeast of the [[University of Manchester]], leading to the rare classification of "[[Earthquake swarm]]" for the geological events. This earthquake swarm was probably caused by the movement of blocks of rocks at depth along faults that occur in the Upper Carboniferous and Triassic succession, underlying the area.<ref name=NaturalEngland/>

Shallow, primitive, and small-scale [[coal mining]] from the Upper Carboniferous Coal Measures in what became Greater Manchester started as early as the 13th century. The situation changed dramatically during and after the [[Industrial Revolution]]; the construction of the [[Bridgewater Canal]] and other canals in the area, enabled coal to be cheaply transported to Manchester and the [[River Mersey]] for shipment.<ref name=NaturalEngland/> In Oldham, relatively shallow pits were dug due to flooding problems. The writer [[Daniel Defoe]], on a visit to Oldham, described it as a place of "...&nbsp;Coals&nbsp;... upon the top of the highest hills" because the coal seams were so shallow and accessible.<ref name=NaturalEngland/> Advances in mining technology during the late-19th century lead to the formation of deeper mines. The [[Long Depression]] aside, there was a rapid acceleration of coal mining until about 1920, when the collieries in the eastern part of the [[Manchester Coalfield]] were exhausted and closed.<ref name=NaturalEngland/> In the western part of the coalfield, however, coal mining was continued into the 1960s. Coal mining ceased in [[north Manchester]] in the late 1970s.<ref name=NaturalEngland/>

==Fringe and boundary==
The outer boundary of Greater Manchester, roughly {{convert|130|mi|km|0}}, "passes through or near several areas of natural beauty".<ref>{{Harvnb|Phythian|1992|p=4}}.</ref> To the northwest are the [[West Pennine Moors]], and to the north and northeast the [[South Pennines]]. Parts of the [[Peak District]] National Park also cover the east and south east of [[Greater Manchester]].

==Urban Area==
[[File:Greater Manchester aerial photograph.jpg|thumb|right|An aerial photograph, centred on Manchester and Salford]]
The [[Greater Manchester Urban Area]] is the larger of two main conurbations defined by the [[Office for National Statistics]] that lie within the county boundaries, the other being the [[Wigan Urban Area]].

The Greater Manchester Urban Area is an area of land defined by the [[Office for National Statistics]] consisting of the large conurbation surrounding and including the City of Manchester. Its territory spans much, but not all of the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester. It excludes settlements such as [[Wigan]], [[Westhoughton]], and [[Marple, Greater Manchester|Marple]] from the Greater Manchester county boundaries (Wigan itself forming the Wigan Urban Area), but includes some settlements which are outside of the county boundaries, such as [[Wilmslow]] and [[Alderley Edge]] in [[Cheshire]], and [[Whitworth, Lancashire|Whitworth]] in [[Lancashire]].<ref>[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/urban-areas-in-england-and-wales/urban-areas-in-england-and-wales-ks01-usual-resident-population.xls KS01 Usual resident population Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas] Office for National Statistics.</ref>

==Climate==
Greater Manchester experiences a [[temperate]] [[Oceanic climate|maritime climate]], like most of the [[British Isles]],{{citation needed|date=May 2012}} with relatively cool summers and mild winters. The county's average annual rainfall is {{convert|806.6|mm|in|2}}<ref name="Greater Manchester weather">{{Cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/manchester_airport.html |title=Manchester Airport 1971–2000 weather averages |access-date=2007-07-15 |publisher=[[Met Office]] |year=2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929103050/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/manchester_airport.html |archive-date=2007-09-29 }}</ref> compared to the UK average of {{convert|1125.0|mm|in|2}},<ref name="UK weather">{{Cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/uk.html |title=UK 1971–2000 averages |access-date=2007-07-15 |publisher=[[Met Office]] |year=2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705140124/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/uk.html |archive-date=2009-07-05 }}</ref> and its mean rain days are 140.4 per annum,<ref name="Greater Manchester weather"/> compared to the UK average of 154.4.<ref name="UK weather"/> The mean temperature is slightly above average for the United Kingdom;<ref name="Climate01">{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/uk.html |author=Met Office |title=Annual UK weather averages |publisher=Met Office |year=2007 |access-date=2007-04-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705140124/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/uk.html |archive-date=2009-07-05 }}</ref> Greater Manchester also has a fairly high humidity level (but doesn't feel as uncomfortable as London on a hot day), which lent itself to the optimised and breakage-free textile manufacturing which took place around the county. Snowfall is not a common sight in the built up areas, due to the [[Urban climate|urban warming]] effect. However, the [[Pennines|Pennine]] and [[Rossendale Forest]] hills around the eastern and northern edges of the county receive more snow, and roads leading out of the county can be closed due to heavy snowfall,<ref name="Snow">{{Cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/147/147321_roads_chaos_as_snow_sweeps_in.html|title=Roads chaos as snow sweeps in Manchester|access-date=2007-07-15|publisher=[[Manchester Evening News]]|year=2005}}</ref> notably the [[A62 road]] via [[Standedge]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Snow: West Yorkshire traffic and travel latest|url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/snow-west-yorkshire-traffic-and-travel-latest-1-1925071|website=Halifax Courier|access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref> the [[A57 road|A57]] ([[Snake Pass]]) towards [[Sheffield]],<ref name="Peaks">{{Cite web|url=http://www.highpeak.co.uk/hp/h_snakbd.htm|title=Peak District sightseer's guide – Snake Pass|access-date=2007-07-06|publisher=High Peak|year=2002|archive-date=12 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112081929/http://www.highpeak.co.uk/hp/h_snakbd.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[M62 motorway|M62]] over [[Saddleworth Moor]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Live: M62 motorway closed and 20 miles of queues as snow and high winds return to Greater Manchester|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/live-m62-motorway-closed-and-20-1217237|website=Manchester Evening News|date=4 April 2012 |access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref>
{{Manchester weatherbox}}

==Flora and fauna==
{{see also|List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Greater Manchester}}
[[File:Common cottongrass at Light Hazzles Reservoir.jpg|thumb|right|[[Eriophorum angustifolium|Common cottongrass]] (''Eriophorum angustifolium''), seen here at Light Hazzles Reservoir near [[Littleborough, Greater Manchester|Littleborough]], was voted the [[County flowers of the United Kingdom|county flower]] of Greater Manchester in 2002.]]
Contrary to its reputation as an [[urban sprawl]],<ref name=gmbp/><ref name=butter>Hardy (1998), p.&nbsp;7.</ref> Greater Manchester has [[Green belt (United Kingdom)|green belt]], constraining [[Urbanization|urban drift]], and a "wide and varied range" of wildlife and natural habitat.<ref name=gmbp/> For instance, the wooded valleys of Bolton, Bury and Stockport, the [[moorland]]s north and east of Rochdale, Oldham and Stalybridge, and the [[reed bed]]s between Wigan and Leigh, harbour flora and fauna of national importance.<ref name=gmbp>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmbp.org.uk/site/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=8&Itemid=26|title=Greater Manchester Biodiversity|publisher=gmbp.org.uk|author=Greater Manchester Biodiversity Project|access-date=2012-09-07}}</ref> Mature woodland, scrubland, grassland, high moorland, mossland, agricultural land, lakes, wetlands, river valleys, embankments, urban parks and suburban gardens are habitats found in Greater Manchester which further contribute to biodiversity.<ref name=butter/> The Greater Manchester Ecology Unit classifies [[Site of Biological Importance|Sites of Biological Importance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildaboutmanchester.info/www/index.php/sites-of-biological-importance|title=Sites of Biological Importance|publisher=wildaboutmanchester.info|author=Manchester City Council|author-link=Manchester City Council|access-date=2012-09-07|archive-date=27 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627091704/http://www.wildaboutmanchester.info/www/index.php/sites-of-biological-importance|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Greater Manchester|21 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Greater Manchester]], and the {{convert|12.1|sqmi|km2}} of [[common land]] in Greater Manchester<ref name=commons>{{cite web |url=http://archive.defra.gov.uk/rural/documents/protected/common-land/biosurvey-gmanchester.pdf |title=The Commonlands of Greater Manchester: A Biological Survey |publisher=defra.gov.uk |author=Defra |author-link=Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |editor=Aitchison, J.W. |year=2002 |access-date=2012-09-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031124636/http://archive.defra.gov.uk/rural/documents/protected/common-land/biosurvey-gmanchester.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-31 }}</ref> are of particular interest to organisations such as the Greater Manchester Local Record Centre, the Greater Manchester Biodiversity Project and the Manchester Field Club, which are dedicated to [[wildlife conservation]] and the preservation of the region's [[natural history]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmwildlife.org.uk/|title=Welcome to Greater Manchester LRC|publisher=gmwildlife.org.uk|access-date=2012-09-07|author=Greater Manchester Local Record Centre}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmbp.org.uk/site/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 |title=What is biodiversity?|publisher=gmbp.org.uk|access-date=2012-09-07|author=Greater Manchester Bidiversity Project}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://webspace.mypostoffice.co.uk/~christine.walsh/|title=Welcome to the Manchester Field Club|publisher=webspace.mypostoffice.co.uk|access-date=2012-09-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625044452/http://webspace.mypostoffice.co.uk/~christine.walsh/|archive-date=2013-06-25}}</ref> Among the SSSIs are [[Astley and Bedford Mosses]] which form a network of ancient [[peat bog]] on the fringe of [[Chat Moss]],<ref name=gmbp/> which in turn, at {{convert|10.6|sqmi|km2|0}} comprises the largest area of prime farmland in Greater Manchester and contains the largest block of semi-natural woodland in the county.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/naturalenvironment/landscape/chatmoss.htm |title=Chat Moss |author=Salford City Council |publisher=salford.gov.uk |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928043525/http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/naturalenvironment/landscape/chatmoss.htm |archive-date=2008-09-28 }} Retrieved on 13&nbsp;November 2007.<br />•{{cite web |url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/land-use/pdf/alcleaflet.pdf |title=Agricultural Land Classification |date=July 2003 |publisher=[[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225145621/http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/land-use/pdf/alcleaflet.pdf |archive-date=2009-02-25 }} Retrieved on 12&nbsp;July 2008.</ref>  The [[Wigan Flashes]], such as those at [[Pennington Flash Country Park]], are the by-product of coal mining, where subsidence has led to waterbodies collecting in the resulting hollows which form an important reed bed resource in Greater Manchester.<ref name=gmbp/> Opened in 1979, [[Sale Water Park]] is a {{convert|152|acre|ha|0|adj=on}} area of countryside and parkland in Sale which includes a {{convert|52|acre|ha|0|adj=on}} artificial lake by the [[River Mersey]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Appendix J River Mersey Case Study Report |publisher=The Countryside Agency |url=http://www.countryside.gov.uk/Images/Appendix%20J%20final_tcm2-19113.doc |format=[[DOC (computing)|DOC]] |access-date=2007-04-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927203329/http://www.countryside.gov.uk/Images/Appendix%20J%20final_tcm2-19113.doc |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>

[[Clover]], [[sorrel]], [[Urtica dioica|nettle]] and [[thistle]] are common, and grow wild in Greater Manchester.<ref name=butter/> [[Calluna|Common heather]] (''Calluna vulgaris'') dominates the uplands, such as [[Saddleworth Moor]], which lies within the [[South Pennines]] and [[Dark Peak]] area of the [[Peak District National Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/ProtectedSites/SACselection/sac.asp?EUcode=UK0030280    |title=South Pennine Moors  |publisher=Defra|access-date = 21 July 2012}}</ref> The [[Rochdale Canal]] harbours [[Luronium|Floating Water-plantain]] (''Luronium''), an endangered aquatic plant.<ref name=gmbp/> In 2002, [[Plantlife|Plantlife International]] launched its [[county flowers of the United Kingdom|County Flowers campaign]], asking members of the public to nominate and vote for a wild flower emblem for their county. [[Eriophorum angustifolium|Common cottongrass]] (''Eriophorum angustifolium''), a plant with fluffy white plumes native to wet hollows on high moors, was announced as the county flower of Greater Manchester.<ref>{{cite web|title=So what bloom best suits you? |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/54/54214_so_what_bloom_best_suits_you.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421044152/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/54/54214_so_what_bloom_best_suits_you.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-21 |last=Lashley |first=Brian |access-date=2012-09-07 |date=2003-03-20 |publisher=menmedia.co.uk |work=[[Manchester Evening News]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/species/Cottongrass%272C+common/ |title=Species - Cottongrass, common |publisher=devonwildlifetrust.org |author=Devon Wildlife Trust |access-date=2012-09-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626194134/http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/species/Cottongrass%272C+common/ |archive-date=2015-06-26 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantlife.org.uk/things_to_do/regions/north_west|publisher=plantlife.org.uk|title=North-west England|author=Plantlife International|author-link=Plantlife|access-date=2012-09-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501110914/http://www.plantlife.org.uk/things_to_do/regions/north_west/|archive-date=2013-05-01}}</ref>

The [[Eastern gray squirrel|grey squirrel]] was the most common wild mammal seen in Greater Manchester in 2012, and were reported in four out of five gardens; [[hedgehog]]s were seen in nearly half of all gardens surveyed; [[bat]]s were seen in a third of all gardens surveyed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/322470-winners-and-losers-of-wet-spring-revealed|publisher=rspb.org.uk|author=RSPB|author-link=Royal Society for the Protection of Birds|access-date=2012-09-30|date=2012-08-15|title=Winners and losers of wet spring revealed}}</ref> The [[house sparrow]], [[common starling]], and [[common blackbird]] are among the most populous bird species in Greater Manchester;<ref name=hol84/> almost a third of Greater Manchester's gardens had baby blackbirds in June 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/314610-make-your-nature-count-arrives-in-greater-manchester|publisher=rspb.org.uk|author=RSPB|author-link=Royal Society for the Protection of Birds|access-date=2012-09-30|date=2012-05-22|title=Make your Nature Count arrives in Greater Manchester}}</ref> [[Eurasian magpie]] and [[feral pigeon]] are common and breed in habitats across the county.<ref name=hol84>Holland, Spence & Sutton (1984), pp.&nbsp;28–29.</ref> The South Pennines support internationally important numbers of [[European golden plover]], [[Eurasian curlew|curlew]], [[Merlin (bird)|merlin]] and [[twite]].<ref name=commons/>

==References==

===Notes===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book|last=Phythian|first=Graham|title=The Greater Manchester Boundary Walk|publisher=Sigma Press|year=1992|isbn=1-85058-284-X}}
* {{cite book|last=Hardy|first=Peter B.|title=Butterflies of Greater Manchester|year=1998|publisher=PGL Enterprises|location=Sale, Greater Manchester|isbn=0-9532374-0-0}}
* {{cite book|last1=Holland|first1=Philip|last2=Spence|first2=Ian|last3=Sutton|first3=Trevor|title=Breeding Birds in Greater Manchester|year=1984|publisher=Manchester Ornithological Society|location=Middleton, Greater Manchester|isbn=978-0-9509505-0-1}}
*{{cite book|first=Jonny |last=Muir|title=The UK's County Tops: Reaching the top of 91 historic counties|publisher=Cicerone Press|year=2011|isbn=978-1-84965-553-8}}
{{Greater Manchester}}

[[Category:Geography of Greater Manchester| ]]