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Translation Services

This uses Alta Vista's Babelfish

Wigan: Facts & Figures

Location:	The Wigan Borough lies midway between Liverpool and Manchester, in the North West of England
Size:	77 Square Miles of which 70% is green / open space
Population:	301,415
History:	Started life as a Roman Settlement called Coccium Renamed “Wiga”, meaning “the place of the Warrior” by the Vikings 1246 - King Henry III granted Wigan, by charter, the status of Borough.  1651 - the last battle of the Civil War in Lancashire took place on Wigan Lane, near the town centre, when the Earl of Derby’s Royalist army was defeated by Colonel Robert Lilburn and army of Parliamentarians.  During and after the Industrial Revolution, Wigan became one of the main suppliers of coal and cotton in the North West.
Famous For:	Wigan Pier, Uncle Joe's Mintballs, Wigan Athletic (Premiership Football Club), Wigan Warriors (Super League Rugby Club), Home of Heinz Baked Beans
Famous Sons and Daughters:	Sir Ian McKellan, George Formby, The Verve, Star Sailor, Kim Marsh, Professor Eric Laithwaite, Peter Kane, Lawrence Isherwood, Lily Brayton, Marie Ault, June Croft, Sarah Dunn, Eva Pope, Georgia Taylor, Andy Farrell

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