Rochdale is a large town on the River Roch in Greater Manchester, England. With a total population of 95,796, Rochdale is the largest and most populous settlement within the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale. Historically part of Lancashire, Rochdale rose to prominence in the 19th century as a major centre of textile manufacture. It was a boomtown of the Industrial Revolution and amongst the first industrialised towns. Rochdale is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the Co-operative Movement. The Rochdale Principles are a set of ideals for cooperatives.