Leicester, Administrative division in East Midlands, England
Leicester sits along the River Soar in the heart of the East Midlands and spreads across a broad urban area with multiple districts separated by parks and green spaces. The city consists of a compact historic center with pedestrian zones, surrounded by Victorian residential neighborhoods and modern developments that extend outward toward the ring road.
The Romans founded a settlement here in the year 47 and turned it into an important trading post in their province of Britain. During the Middle Ages, the town grew through wool trade and cloth making, then later became a center for hosiery and shoe manufacturing during the industrial revolution.
Each autumn, the city hosts the largest Diwali celebration outside India, when thousands gather to watch processions, fireworks and dance performances that light up entire neighborhoods. The streets around Belgrave Road stay busy with families shopping at sari stores, eating samosas at casual eateries, and visiting temples that anchor the local South Asian community.
Direct trains to London take just over an hour, while buses and a tram system connect different parts of the city to each other. The center is mostly flat and easy to walk around, with most points of interest within a short distance of one another.
In 2012, archaeologists found the remains of King Richard III buried under a parking lot near the city center, which drew worldwide attention to the city. Three years later, he was reinterred at the cathedral, where a modern visitor center now tells the story of his life and the unusual discovery.
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