borough (district), administrative and historic county of Lancashire, England. It lies immediately north of Greater Manchester, in the ancient Forest of Rossendale, from which it takes its name. The River Irwell flows through the borough. The towns of Rossendale grew during the 18th and 19th centuries with the cotton textile industry; economic development owed something as well to coal mining and stone quarrying. Textiles and footwear manufacture continue, though more recent industries—such as light engineering and the production of felt, plastics, and valves—are now more important. The borough includes large tracts of Pennine moorland where hill farming is the main occupation. The largest town and administrative centre is Rawtenstall. Area 53 square miles (138 square km). Pop. (2001) 65,657.