Leeds is a city located in West Yorkshire, England. Situated in the eastern foothills of the Pennines, it is built around the River Aire. It serves as the largest settlement in Yorkshire and functions as the administrative centre of the City of Leeds Metropolitan Borough, which is the second most populous district in the United Kingdom.
The city originated as a small manorial borough in the 13th century and developed into a market town by the 16th century. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Leeds expanded significantly as it became a major centre for production and trading. It was officially awarded its city charter by Queen Victoria in 1893.