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Revision as of 13:33, 30 January 2003 by 194.202.49.97 (talk) (Add further details)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)This article is about Birmingham, England; see also Birmingham, Alabama and other towns called Birmingham
Birmingham is, with about one million inhabitants, 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.
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 South-East of the centre, close to Birmingham International Airport.
Once considered the ugliest city in Britain, Birmingham has in recent years been renovated, with the city center now a more attractive and pleasant place to walk around. There are 35 miles of canals within the Birmingham city boundary. By comparison there are 26 miles of canals within the centre of Venice (i.e. 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 a European City of Culture in 2008.
The city is commonly known to its inhabitants as Brum.
- See also: Balsall Heath, Black Country, Moseley