metropolitan county
Quick Summary
Metropolitan counties are specific conurbations in England established as administrative units in 1974. The six metropolitan counties are Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Tyne and Wear, West Midlands, South Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire.1
These counties were divided into metropolitan districts, which handled local government functions. However, in 1986, the administrative powers of the metropolitan counties and Greater London were transferred to their constituent boroughs. Today, metropolitan counties primarily exist as geographic and statistical units, and also serve as ceremonial counties.2
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