Wigan is a large town in Greater Manchester, England.[1] It stands on the River Douglas, 15 miles (24.1 km) south of Preston, 16.5 miles (26.6 km) west-northwest of Manchester, and 17.4 miles (28.0 km) east-northeast of Liverpool. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. Wigan had a total population of 81,203 in 2001
Historically a part of Lancashire, Wigan's early history is marked by its status as a territory inhabited by the Brigantes, an ancient Celtic tribe.Wigan is believed to have been incorporated as a borough in 1246 following the issue of a Charter by King Henry III of England. At the end of the Middle Ages it was one of four boroughs in Lancashire possessing Royal charters, the others being Lancaster, Liverpool, and Preston.
