Manchester, UK, aerial image. Manchester has a population of around 430,000 (2003), but the surrounding urban area houses a further two million people. It is one of the UK's most important cities for arts, media and sport. It is served by Manchester International Airport (bottom left), the third busiest airport in the UK. The city is ringed by motorways. The M62 runs from centre left to top right. The M60 and M66 run down its east (right). The M63 is to the southwest. The Manchester Ship Canal runs from the city to far left.