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Revision as of 03:50, 13 February 2003 by Vicki Rosenzweig (talk | contribs) (copyedit (commas and such))(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, 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.
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