Derby

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Industrial city and administrative centre of Derby City unitary authority in north-central England, on the River Derwent, 51 km/32 mi northeast of Birmingham; population (2001) 229,400. Derby was granted city status in 1977 as part of the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations. Industries include engineering, chemicals, paper, textiles, plastics, and financial services.

History
Derby was first settled by the Romans who built a fort, Derventio, on the east bank of the Derwent. When the Anglo-Saxons arrived, they renamed the fort Little Chester, as it is still known today, and set up a settlement 1.6 km/1 mi to the south which they named Northworthy. This was renamed Deoraby by the Danes who captured it in 874. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the town had a population of 2,000, and six churches, including All Saints' Parish Church, which became Derby Cathedral in 1927. Derby received a market charter from Henry II in 1154. The city suffered heavy losses in the plagues of 1349 and 1592. Local government was first set up in 1637, under a charter granted by Charles I. During the Jacobite rising in 1745, Charles Edward Stuart advanced as far as Derby before retreating. The town began to develop as a manufacturing centre at the end of the 17th century, and England's first silk mill was built here in 1717. In the 18th century, Derby became a centre of porcelain production, producing ‘Chelsea-Derby’ ware. The opening of the Derby canal in 1836 and the joining of Derby to the rail network sped up industrial development. Soon afterwards the Birmingham, Gloucester, and Derby Junction railway was opened, and in 1841 Derby was linked by rail to Leeds. When the separate companies were amalgamated, Derby became the headquarters of the Midland Railway Company in 1844. In 1908 the Rolls-Royce factory was founded, boosting Derby's industrial expansion.

The flag uses the pan-Arab colours. The design may have been inspired by the pre-1958 Iraqi flag. Effective date: 24 November 1961. >>