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General Information

• Introduction to Britain
• City of Birmingham
• University of Birmingham
• Web links

City of Birmingham Facts

Birmingham is Britain's second largest city, with over 1 million people. It is rich in history and is also one of Europe's most modern cities. Birmingham was an important military camp during Roman times. It has been a market center since the twelfth century and an industrial hub since the sixteenth century, when it was already known for its wool processing and metal working. England's Industrial Revolution took root here, and by 1850 many of the city's 250,000 people toiled in foundries and workshops.

Birmingham's industrial heritage is based around engineering and the skills of making jewellery, guns, swords, buckles and buttons. Many of these crafts still form a part of Birmingham's economy with the addition of major industries such as food and drink production through Cadbury and automobile component manufacture with the Rover Group at Longbridge.

The city has successfully diversified its economic base, however, and no longer relies solely on heavy industry. The International Convention Centre which opened in 1991 is Britain's first purpose-built conference complex and is one of the largest in Europe. The city hosts a number of national and international events annually. The National Indoor Arena (NIA) is Britain's premier sports arena, where world athletic events, as well as rock concerts and other musical events, are held. The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) hosts such events as Britain's annual automobile show and the annual international Crufts dog show. The world-class Symphony Hall is the home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Ballet, opera, musicals, and a wide range of theatre productions abound in Birmingham.

Other attractions include the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery which has an outstanding collection, the Sea World Aquarium, a working Railway Museum, the National Motorcyle Museum, and Cadbury World which traces the history of chocolate and the Bournville Cadbury factory.

The 1991 census showed Birmingham to have an ethnic minority population of just over 20%. This number has grown significantly in the last decade. The largest group has its roots in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh; another large group is African or Afro-Caribbean in origin. This diversity lends its to a wealth of cultural opportunities in Birmingham including abundant ethnic restaurants, cultural festivals, and a wide variety of arts and musical events.

For more information on Birmingham, check its official website at http://www.birmingham.gov.uk.