| Revision as of 23:22, 22 March 2003 editG-Man (talk | contribs)17,693 edits started history section← Previous edit | Revision as of 00:39, 23 March 2003 edit undoG-Man (talk | contribs)17,693 edits added moreNext edit → | ||
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| The market was called the Bull Ring and was the centre of all activity in what was then a village. Birmingham became a ] in the early ]. | The market was called the Bull Ring and was the centre of all activity in what was then a village. Birmingham became a ] in the early ]. | ||
| From the ] Birmingham became a centre of many metalworking industries, with a skilled population of ].Birmingham also became a centre of ] manufacturing, with ] and ] being produced in the then town. | From the ] onwards Birmingham became a centre of many metalworking industries, with a skilled population of ].Birmingham also became a centre of ] manufacturing, with ] and ] being produced in the then town. | ||
| Birmingham's skilled workforce, and the fact that Birmingham was located near the coalfields of ]. Meant that the town grew rapidly during the ].In the late 18th and early 19th century Birmingham became a centre of the canal system, which greatly aided its industrial growth. | Birmingham's skilled workforce, and the fact that Birmingham was located near the coalfields of ]. Meant that the town grew rapidly during the ].In the late 18th and early 19th century Birmingham became a centre of the canal system, which greatly aided its industrial growth. | ||
| In the ] the ] and the ] were built and Birmingham soon became a centre of the railway system, and one of Britains leading industrial cities. | In the ] the ] and the ] were built and Birmingham soon became a centre of the railway system, and one of Britains leading industrial cities. | ||
| '''Population Growth in Birmingham by year''' | '''Population Growth in Birmingham by year''' | ||
| * |
*1550 pop 1,500 | ||
| * |
*1650 pop 5,000 | ||
| * |
*1750 pop 24,000 | ||
| * |
*1800 pop 75,000 | ||
| * |
*1900 pop 650,000 | ||
| * |
*2000 pop 1,020,000 | ||
| Birmingham became a city in ]. | Birmingham became a city in ]. | ||
| During the ] Birmingham's population continued to rise. In the postwar years a massive program of ] clearances took place, and vast areas of the city were re-built, with overcrowded "back to back" housing being replaced by high rise blocks of ]. Birmingham also became a centre of the national ] network. | |||
| Also in the postwar years a major influx if immigrants from the ] changed the face of Birmingham, with large communities from the ] and the ] setling in the city, turning Birmingham into a leading multicultural city. | |||
Revision as of 00:39, 23 March 2003
This article is about Birmingham, England; see also Birmingham, Alabama and other towns called Birmingham
Birmingham, which in 1993 had a population of 1,017,000, is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom, after London. Situated in the West Midlands, it forms part of a large conurbation of over four million. This conurbation is an industrial centre, home to the Jaguar and Rover car companies. Coins are manufactured at the Birmingham Mint, the oldest independent mint in the world.
While manufacturing is still important to the city, and to its future, the local economy is rapidly diversifying; in particular, professional and financial services and tourism are growing quickly. More details about the Birmingham economy can be found at http://www.birminghameconomy.org.uk
Birmingham is home to two football (soccer) teams, Aston Villa F.C. and Birmingham City. The National Indoor Arena, The Symphony Hall and the International Convention Centre are located in central Birmingham. The National Exhibtion Centre is 10 miles southeast of the centre, close to Birmingham International Airport.
Birmingham has three universities: Aston University, The University of Birmingham and The University of Central England.
Once considered the ugliest city in Britain, Birmingham has in recent years been renovated, with the city centre now a more attractive and pleasant place to walk around. There are 35 miles of canals within the Birmingham city boundaries. By comparison there are 26 miles of canals within the centre of Venice (that is, within the six sestieri). The area around Broad Street was extensively renovated at the turn of the Millennium, making it possible to walk beside the canals. As of 2003 further redevelopment is taking place on the site of the Bull Ring. The city is bidding to become the European Capital of Culture in 2008, under the banner "Be in Birmingham 2008".
Birmingham is governed by Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in the UK.
The city is commonly known to its inhabitants as Brum.
- See also: Balsall Heath, Black Country, Moseley
History
Birmingham came into existance in the year 1154 when a local landowner called Peter de Birmingham obtained a charter to hold a market, a settlement grew up around this market named Birmingham after its founder.
The market was called the Bull Ring and was the centre of all activity in what was then a village. Birmingham became a Borough in the early 13th century.
From the 16th century onwards Birmingham became a centre of many metalworking industries, with a skilled population of Ironmongers.Birmingham also became a centre of arms manufacturing, with Guns and Swords being produced in the then town.
Birmingham's skilled workforce, and the fact that Birmingham was located near the coalfields of Staffordshire. Meant that the town grew rapidly during the Industrial revolution.In the late 18th and early 19th century Birmingham became a centre of the canal system, which greatly aided its industrial growth.
In the 1830s the London and Birmingham Railway and the Grand Junction Railway were built and Birmingham soon became a centre of the railway system, and one of Britains leading industrial cities.
Population Growth in Birmingham by year
- 1550 pop 1,500
- 1650 pop 5,000
- 1750 pop 24,000
- 1800 pop 75,000
- 1900 pop 650,000
- 2000 pop 1,020,000
Birmingham became a city in 1896.
During the 20th century Birmingham's population continued to rise. In the postwar years a massive program of slum clearances took place, and vast areas of the city were re-built, with overcrowded "back to back" housing being replaced by high rise blocks of flats. Birmingham also became a centre of the national Motorway network.
Also in the postwar years a major influx if immigrants from the British commonwealth changed the face of Birmingham, with large communities from the Indian Sub Continent and the Caribbean setling in the city, turning Birmingham into a leading multicultural city.