# Blackpool

> town in Lancashire, England

**Wikidata**: [Q170377](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q170377)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackpool)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/blackpool

## Summary
Blackpool is a town and district located in Lancashire, England, within the United Kingdom. Established as a district in 1851, it is situated at coordinates 53.816666666667° N, 3.05° W and serves as a significant coastal settlement with a population ranging approximately between 139,305 and 152,000.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Lancashire, England, United Kingdom
- **Classification**: Town and district
- **Inception**: 1851 (as a district)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 53.816666666667, Longitude -3.05
- **Population**: 142,100; 139,305; 152,000; 147,900; 142,000 (various counts)
- **Official Website**: https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/
- **Blackpool F.C.**: Association football club founded July 26, 1887; headquartered at Bloomfield Road
- **Blackpool Zoo**: Zoo established in 1972
- **World Matchplay**: Professional darts tournament established in 1994
- **Blackpool Gazette**: Evening newspaper based in Blackpool; founded in 1873
- **Blackpool Tramway**: Local tram system
- **TVR Headquarters**: Independent British sports car manufacturer founded in 1946; based in Blackpool
- **Hawker Aircraft**: Aircraft manufacturer (1920–1963) with headquarters in Blackpool
- **Swallow Sidecar Company**: British sidecar manufacturer founded in 1935; headquartered in Blackpool
- **Railway Stations**: Blackpool North, Blackpool South, and Blackpool Pleasure Beach (opened 1987)
- **Blackpool Airport**: Airport located in Lancashire, England
- **Music**: Associated with bands The Membranes, Section 25, and Boston Manor
- **Events**: Hosted NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool in 2019
- **Media Headquarters**: The *Cork Independent* newspaper lists Blackpool as its headquarters location

## FAQs
**Where is Blackpool located and what is its administrative status?**
Blackpool is a town and district situated in Lancashire, England, within the sovereign state of the United Kingdom. It became a distinct district in 1851 and is located at coordinates 53.816666666667° latitude and -3.05° longitude.

**What sports and entertainment facilities are found in Blackpool?**
The town is home to Blackpool F.C., an association football club founded in 1887 that plays at Bloomfield Road. It also hosts the World Matchplay, a professional darts tournament established in 1994, and features Blackpool Zoo, which opened in 1972.

**What industries and manufacturing companies are associated with Blackpool?**
Blackpool serves as the headquarters for TVR, an independent British manufacturer of sports cars founded in 1946. Historically, it was also the base for Hawker Aircraft (1920–1963) and the Swallow Sidecar Company (founded 1935).

**What transportation infrastructure exists in Blackpool?**
The town is served by a dedicated tramway system, Blackpool Airport, and three railway stations: Blackpool North, Blackpool South, and Blackpool Pleasure Beach railway station, the latter of which opened in 1987.

**What media and cultural entities are connected to Blackpool?**
The *Blackpool Gazette*, an evening newspaper established in 1873, is based in the town. Blackpool is also the headquarters location for the *Cork Independent* and is associated with musical acts including The Membranes, Section 25, and Boston Manor.

## Why It Matters
Blackpool holds significance as a diverse administrative and cultural hub in Lancashire, blending tourism, sports, and industrial heritage. Its infrastructure supports high connectivity through multiple rail stations, an airport, and a historic tramway, facilitating regional movement. The town plays a notable role in British sports history via Blackpool F.C. and professional darts, while its industrial sector contributed to automotive and aviation history through companies like TVR and Hawker Aircraft. Additionally, Blackpool's media landscape and musical contributions underscore its continued cultural relevance within the United Kingdom.

## Notable For
- **Automotive Headquarters**: Home to TVR, a privately held sports car manufacturer known for models like the Griffith and Cerbera.
- **Aviation Heritage**: Hosted the headquarters of Hawker Aircraft, a major aircraft manufacturer active from 1920 to 1963.
- **Sports History**: Base for Blackpool F.C., a football club established in 1887, and the long-running World Matchplay darts tournament.
- **Transport Diversity**: Features a comprehensive transport network including a tramway, an airport, and three distinct railway stations.
- **Media Longevity**: The *Blackpool Gazette* has operated as the local evening newspaper since 1873.
- **Unique Corporate Connections**: Serves as the headquarters for the *Cork Independent*, a newspaper based in Ireland.
- **Event Hosting**: Hosted major entertainment events such as the 2019 NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Blackpool is a town and district located in the county of Lancashire, England, within the United Kingdom. The district was officially established in 1851. Geographically, it is positioned at a latitude of 53.816666666667 and a longitude of -3.05. The population of Blackpool has been recorded through various counts, including figures of 142,100, 139,305, 152,000, 147,900, and 142,000. The local government operates via the official website https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/. As part of the United Kingdom, Blackpool falls within a sovereign state that is a constitutional monarchy and a member of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

### Sports and Leisure
Blackpool possesses a robust sports and leisure infrastructure. The town is the home of Blackpool F.C., an association football club founded on July 26, 1887. The club's headquarters and stadium are located at Bloomfield Road. In the realm of professional darts, Blackpool hosts the World Matchplay, an annual tournament established in 1994. The town also features Blackpool Zoo, a zoological park that opened its doors in 1972. Additionally, Blackpool has been a venue for major wrestling events, specifically hosting NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool in 2019.

### Transportation Infrastructure
The transportation network in Blackpool is extensive, comprising road, rail, air, and tram systems. The Blackpool tramway provides local transit. Rail access is facilitated by three primary stations: Blackpool North railway station, Blackpool South railway station, and Blackpool Pleasure Beach railway station, the latter of which was inaugurated in 1987. Air travel is accommodated by Blackpool Airport, situated in Lancashire.

### Industry and Manufacturing
Blackpool has a notable history as a center for manufacturing, particularly in the automotive and aviation sectors. TVR, an independent British manufacturer of sports cars, has been headquartered in Blackpool since its founding in 1946 by Trevor Wilkinson. The company, known for models such as the Griffith, Cerbera, and Tuscan, operates as a privately held entity focusing on high-performance vehicles. The town was also the headquarters for Hawker Aircraft, a prominent aircraft manufacturer that operated from 1920 to 1963. Furthermore, the Swallow Sidecar Company, a manufacturer of sidecars founded in 1935, also established its headquarters in Blackpool.

### Media and Culture
The media landscape of Blackpool is anchored by the *Blackpool Gazette*, an English evening newspaper that has been in publication since 1873 and is headquartered in the town. Interestingly, the *Cork Independent*, a free newspaper based in Cork, Ireland, also lists Blackpool as its headquarters location. Culturally, Blackpool is associated with several musical groups, including The Membranes, Section 25, and Boston Manor. The town's cultural offerings are complemented by its attractions, such as the Blackpool Zoo, contributing to the local and regional tourism economy.

## References

1. Open ISNI for Organizations
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. MusicBrainz
7. United Kingdom Census 2011
8. [Source](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland)
9. Great dictionary of geographical names
10. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
11. [Great Russian Encyclopedia](https://old.bigenc.ru/geography/text/3211251)
12. GeoNames
13. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gb.htm)
14. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
15. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)