The Sheffield District covers South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and East Derbyshire. Once a major European provider of steel and coal, much of the area has been affected by industrial decline, and people, communities and local authorities struggle with some success to find a new post-industrial identity. There are four major urban areas of population: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. The Peak, Chesterfield and Retford Circuits are mixed areas with both urban and rural communities. Worksop & Kiveton, Clay Cross, Bolsover & Staveley and Dearne Valley also include industrial communities within their areas.
Sheffield is the major city in the District and the fifth largest in England. New commerce and leisure facilities in an area of heavy population have provided some alternative forms of employment, though in much of the area unemployment is still high. There is a strong civic tradition in all of the major towns and deep regional roots.
The area includes some of the most beautiful country in Britain and has some excellent parks. Sheffield itself is built on the valleys of five rivers, and even where there is a concentration of housing and industry, you are never far from the fields and hills. There are good cultural opportunities over the whole area, from small village festivals to every form of drama, music and art. The restored Lyceum theatre in Sheffield was reopened in 1990 and now attracts many national touring productions, whilst its sister theatre the Crucible is well known as a theatre in the round and also as home to the World Snooker Championships. The city has become a major sporting venue with Olympic standard athletic and water sport facilities, hosting a number of national and international events. Sheffield Arena ranks alongside Wembley and Birmingham as a leading venue for concerts.