# Gloucester

> city and county town of Gloucestershire, England, UK

**Wikidata**: [Q170497](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q170497)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloucester)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gloucester

## Summary
Gloucester is a city and the county town of Gloucestershire, England, UK, situated on the River Severn. With a population of 145,563 as of 2016, it serves as a historic and administrative center, known for its medieval cathedral and Roman origins. The city has been a significant settlement since ancient times, playing strategic roles in British history.

## Key Facts
- **Population**: 125,649 (2014) and 145,563 (2016, preferred figure).
- **Area**: 34.5 square kilometers.
- **Coordinates**: 51.86527777777778° N, -2.245833333333333° W.
- **Country**: United Kingdom.
- **Capital of**: Gloucestershire.
- **Website**: [www.gloucester.gov.uk](http://www.gloucester.gov.uk/).
- **Identifiers**: TOID 4000000074577905, GND ID 4086740-7, GeoNames ID 2648404, MusicBrainz area ID c2cb8e58-5c2b-4205-87bb-d82eca6b3794.
- **Twin towns**: Metz (France), Trier (Germany), Gouda (Netherlands), Saint Ann's Bay (Jamaica).
- **Time zone**: UTC±00:00.
- **Local dialing code**: 01452.
- **Historic county**: Gloucestershire.
- **Legislative body**: Gloucestershire County Council.

## FAQs
- **Where is Gloucester located?**  
  Gloucester is in southwestern England, UK, along the River Severn, serving as the administrative center of Gloucestershire.

- **What is Gloucester’s historical significance?**  
  Founded by the Romans as *Glevum*, it later became a medieval borough and a key location during the English Civil War, notably the Siege of Gloucester (1643).

- **How is Gloucester governed?**  
  The city is an unparished area governed by Gloucester City Council and part of Gloucestershire County Council.

- **What are Gloucester’s notable landmarks?**  
  Gloucester Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its well-preserved medieval architecture are prominent attractions.

- **Is Gloucester connected to other cities internationally?**  
  Yes, it is twinned with Metz (France), Trier (Germany), Gouda (Netherlands), and Saint Ann's Bay (Jamaica).

## Why It Matters
Gloucester holds historical and cultural importance as a Roman and medieval settlement, reflecting Britain’s architectural and military past. Its cathedral, one of the "Perpendicular Gothic" masterpieces, underscores its religious significance. Economically, it remains a regional hub for trade and tourism, leveraging its heritage and strategic river location.

## Notable For
- **Roman Heritage**: Founded as *Glevum* in 48 AD, with archaeological remains like the Roman Walls.
- **Medieval Architecture**: Gloucester Cathedral, burial site of King Edward II.
- **Siege of Gloucester (1643)**: A pivotal Parliamentarian victory during the English Civil War.
- **Filming Location**: Featured in *Harry Potter* films and *Doctor Who*.
- **Geographical Significance**: Port city on the River Severn, historically vital for trade.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Gloucester lies at coordinates 51.86527777777778° N, -2.245833333333333° W, covering 34.5 km². It is situated on the River Severn, a key geographical feature influencing its development as a port and trade center. The city is part of the Gloucestershire historic county and serves as its administrative capital.

### History
- **Roman Era**: Established as *Glevum* in 48 AD, it was an important military outpost.
- **Medieval Period**: Granted borough status in 1218, with Gloucester Cathedral constructed from 1089 onward.
- **English Civil War**: Withstood the Siege of Gloucester (1643), a critical Parliamentarian stronghold.

### Governance
- **Administrative Status**: Unparished area governed by Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire County Council.
- **UK Parliament**: Represented by the Gloucester constituency (ID 10489 in the UK Parliament Thesaurus).

### Demographics
- **Population Growth**: Increased from 125,649 (2014) to 145,563 (2016), reflecting urban expansion.
- **Cultural Diversity**: Home to communities documented in sources like the *Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron*.

### Economy and Culture
- **Tourism**: Attractions include Gloucester Cathedral, the Docks, and the Gloucester Waterways Museum.
- **Arts**: Featured in the *Grove Art Online* (ID T032877) and host to cultural events at the Everyman Theatre.

### Infrastructure
- **Transport**: Served by Gloucester Railway Station and the M5 motorway.
- **Digital Presence**: Open data portal maintained by Gloucester City Council.

### Academic and Cultural References
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n79071079.
- **Encyclopedic Entries**: Documented in the *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary* and *Great Soviet Encyclopedia* (1926–1947).

### External Links
- **Wikimedia**: Commons category "Gloucester" and gallery.
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID 296459047, WorldCat Entities ID E39PBJbGTpxJrWM7qMYJhjMdcP.

### Twin Towns
- **International Relations**: Partnered with Metz (France), Trier (Germany), Gouda (Netherlands), and Saint Ann's Bay (Jamaica), fostering cultural and economic ties.

### Unique Identifiers
- **Geonames ID**: 2648404.
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 17857512.
- **Vision of Britain Place ID**: 390 (qualifier: Gloucester, Gloucestershire).

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. MusicBrainz
4. [Source](http://www.citypopulation.de/php/uk-england-southwestengland.php?cityid=E35001219)
5. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
6. GeoNames
7. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gb.htm)
8. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)