Why Is Cork On Hills?

Over time, the population of Cork began to increase. As it did, the city began to spread outwards from where it originally developed, along the banks of the River Lee. In the 1700 and 1800s rich merchants built large houses in Montenotte, Blackrock, Sunday's Well, and Summerhill. The new suburbs were built so that the rich could escape from - what they considered - the noise and grime of the city centre. As Cork city grew even further, it climbed up the steep banks on either side of the Lee valley.

In the twentieth century, Cork Corporation knocked down houses in the older parts of Cork city and built new housing estates in places such as Gurranabraher, Ballyphehane, Turner's Cross, Mayfield and Mahon. This meant that the city spread out even further from it's original location beside the River Lee (where the city centre is today).

This map is a more recent one of Cork city.

Activities

1. What direction is the River Lee flowing in this map?
a) To the north b) To the south c) To the east d) To the west

2. Plot a route on the map by road from north to south passing through the city centre.

3. (i) Pick a suitable place on the map where you would build a large factory.
(ii) Write down two reasons why you picked that place.