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'''Middlesbrough''' is a large industrial town in the north-east of [[England]], situated on the south bank of the [[River Tees]] close to the Tees estuary. It is approximately 5km from Teesport, the UK's second-largest port.

'''Middlesbrough''' is a large industrial town in the north-east of [[England]], situated on the south bank of the [[River Tees]] close to the Tees estuary. It is approximately 5km from Teesport, the UK's second-largest port.

Middlesbrough was founded in 1830 as a port for the export of [[coal]] from the coalfields of [[County Durham]], brought to the Tees by the [[Stockton and Darlington Railway|Stockton & Darlington Railway]], the earliest steam-powered public [[railway]] in the world. The town began to grow rapidly after iron ore was discovered in commercial quantities in the nearby Cleveland Hills in 1850; numerous ironworks were established in Middlesbrough and neighbouring settlements, and Middlesbrough itself was nicknamed Ironopolis and was described by Prime Minister [[W.E. Gladstone]] as "an infant Hercules". In the late 19th century the discovery of salt reserves nearby brought the migration of much of the British chemical industry to the district; steel and chemicals, though no longer manufactured within the boundaries of Middlesbrough, remain staples of the economy of the [[Teesside]] conurbation.

Middlesbrough was founded in 1830 as a port for the export of [[coal]] from the coalfields of [[County Durham]], brought to the Tees by the [[Stockton and Darlington Railway|Stockton & Darlington Railway]], the earliest steam-powered public [[railway]] in the world. The town began to grow rapidly after iron ore was discovered in commercial quantities in the nearby Cleveland Hills in 1850; numerous ironworks were established in Middlesbrough and neighbouring settlements, and Middlesbrough itself was nicknamed Ironopolis and was described by Prime Minister [[William Gladstone]] as "an infant Hercules". In the late 19th century the discovery of salt reserves nearby brought the migration of much of the British chemical industry to the district; steel and chemicals, though no longer manufactured within the boundaries of Middlesbrough, remain staples of the economy of the [[Teesside]] conurbation.

Middlesbrough has a population (2001) of 134,847<ref>http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/pop2001/middlesbrough_ua.asp</ref>

Middlesbrough has a population (2001) of 134,847<ref>http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/pop2001/middlesbrough_ua.asp</ref>