# Bradford

> city and largest settlement in the City of Bradford district, Yorkshire, England

**Wikidata**: [Q22905](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22905)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradford)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bradford

## Summary
Bradford is a city and the largest settlement located within the City of Bradford district in Yorkshire, England. Recognized as a major urban center, it holds the distinction of being a UNESCO Creative City of Film and serves as the administrative capital of the broader metropolitan district. The city is situated in the historic West Riding of Yorkshire and has a recorded history dating back to the Domesday Book in 1086.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: City, unparished area, and city of the United Kingdom.
- **Location**: Situated in the City of Bradford district (since April 1, 1974) within the historic county of Yorkshire (West Riding).
- **Geography**: Coordinates are 53.794°N, 1.751°W. It shares a border with the Yorkshire Dales.
- **Area**: 64,361,204 square metres.
- **Elevation**: 214 metres above sea level.
- **Population**:
    - 2001: 293,277 (preferred data point).
    - 1968: 294,400 (estimated).
    - 1831: 76,996.
- **UNESCO Status**: Member of the Creative Cities Network as a "City of Film" since 2009.
- **Transport Codes**: UN/LOCODE is GBBRF; NUTS code is UKE41.
- **Infrastructure**: Local dialing code is 01274; postal codes range from BD1 to BD99.
- **Earliest Record**: The earliest written record dates to 1086.

## FAQs

**What is the geographical location of Bradford?**
Bradford is located in the north of England within the United Kingdom. It lies in the historic West Riding of Yorkshire and is part of the City of Bradford metropolitan district, bordering the Yorkshire Dales.

**What is Bradford's UNESCO designation?**
Bradford is a designated member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. It holds the specific title of "City of Film," a status it has held since 2009.

**How has Bradford's population changed over time?**
According to available records, the population was 76,996 in 1831. It rose to an estimated 294,400 in 1968 and was recorded as 293,277 in the 2001 census.

**What are the city's sister cities or twin towns?**
Bradford is twinned with several international locations, including Skopje (since 1963), Roubaix, Verviers, Mirpur District, Mönchengladbach, Galway, Hamm, and Mirpur.

**What administrative region is Bradford part of?**
Since April 1, 1974, Bradford has been located within the City of Bradford district. Historically, it belongs to the West Riding of Yorkshire.

## Why It Matters
Bradford serves as a significant urban and cultural hub in Northern England. Its designation as the largest settlement in the City of Bradford district highlights its administrative importance as the region's capital. The city's global cultural relevance is cemented by its status as the world's first UNESCO City of Film, recognizing its rich heritage in cinema and media. Furthermore, its extensive network of twin towns—from Skopje to Mirpur—reflects its diverse international connections and historical role in the textile trade and migration. With a history documented in the Domesday Book and a current population nearing 300,000, it remains a pivotal demographic and economic center in West Yorkshire.

## Notable For
- Being the largest settlement in the City of Bradford district.
- Holding the UNESCO title "City of Film" (awarded in 2009).
- A deep historical record extending back to 1086.
- A substantial elevation of 214 metres above sea level.
- Hosting a diverse range of international twin town relationships, including a long-standing partnership with Skopje established in 1963.
- Being the subject of extensive academic and encyclopedic coverage, including entries in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition) and the Great Soviet Encyclopedia.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Bradford is situated in Yorkshire, England, specifically within the historic West Riding of Yorkshire. Since April 1, 1974, it has been administratively located in the "City of Bradford" district, of which it is the capital. The city is classified as an unparished area and a "city of the United Kingdom." Its precise location is defined by the coordinates 53.794° latitude and -1.751° longitude, placing it in the UTC±00:00 timezone.

The city covers a total area of 64,361,204 square metres. It sits at an elevation of 214 metres above sea level. The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the city is SE163329. It shares a geographical border with the Yorkshire Dales.

### Demographics
The population of Bradford has seen significant growth over the last two centuries.
- **1831**: The population was recorded as 76,996.
- **1968**: An estimation placed the population at 294,400.
- **2001**: The preferred census data indicates a population of 293,277.

### International Relations
Bradford maintains a robust international profile through its twinning agreements. It is officially twinned with:
- **Skopje** (partnership started in 1963)
- **Roubaix**
- **Verviers**
- **Mirpur District**
- **Mönchengladbach**
- **Galway**
- **Hamm**
- **Mirpur**

Additionally, the city is a member of the Creative Cities Network, designated specifically as a "City of Film" starting in 2009.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
The city is serviced by a range of postal codes, spanning from BD1 to BD99. The local dialing code for telecommunications is 01274. In terms of global logistics, its UN/LOCODE is GBBRF, and it falls under the NUTS code UKE41.

Bradford maintains a digital presence through its official website (bradford.gov.uk), a dedicated subreddit (/r/bradford), and various social media identifiers such as Quora and GitHub topics.

### History and Heritage
The earliest written record of Bradford dates back to 1086. It is the subject of a "timeline of Bradford" history project and has been extensively documented by major encyclopedic sources, including:
- Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
- The Nuttall Encyclopædia
- Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (4th edition, 1885–1890)
- Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition)
- The New Student's Reference Work
- Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947)

### Identifiers and Databases
Bradford is indexed in numerous national and international library and knowledge systems. Key identifiers include:
- **ISNI**: 0000000099584392
- **VIAF ID**: 153631400
- **GND ID**: 4080507-4
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n82127948
- **GeoNames ID**: 2654993
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 26701367
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 3eec7695-0032-4fc9-8794-65c940e397f2

The city also possesses a coat of arms, visually represented in official records, and is associated with the "City of Bradford" banner image on Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. Source
2. [Source](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-cities/list-of-cities-html)
3. [Source](https://starportal.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=172)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Bradford-England)
8. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
9. GeoNames
10. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gb.htm)
11. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
12. museum-digital