Blackpool, borough and unitary
authority (2021 est. pop. 138,380), Lancashire, NW England, on the Irish
Sea. Famed as a traditionally working-class resort (with often inhospitable
weather), Blackpool has 7 mi (11.3 km) of beaches and promenades, many sport
and amusement facilities, and a tower 520 ft (158 m) high, modeled on the
Eiffel Tower.
Since the 1970s, however, tourism has been hurt by inexpensive travel
abroad. Its manufactures include electronics and transportation equipment. A
major conference and convention center, Blackpool hosted the Labour party's
annual meeting for 70 years before 1998.
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