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United Kingdom, Birmingham<P><IMG height=250 alt="INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM" src="http://www.hotelsnhotels.com/pageimages/Birmingham_City.jpg" width=460> </P>
<P><STRONG>Birmingham</STRONG> is a U.K city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands. Being the largest of England's core cities, it is considered as the second city in U.K. Birmingham is known as the "the workshop of the world" or the "city of a thousand trades. It is an ethnically and culturally diverse city, which forms part of the larger West Midlands conurbation.</P>
<P>Birmingham, Britain’s second city is flourishing and is internationally recognized as a leader in leisure, entertainment, business, shopping, industry and sport.</P>
<P><STRONG><U>History</U></STRONG></P>
<P>The city of Birmingham dates back to Saxon times, when a small community settled in the area. The name comes from the Saxon meaning "home of the tribe of Beorma".</P>
<P>In 1500 Birmingham was still a small market town with a population of about 1,500. It would seem tiny to us and even by the standards of the time it was a small market town.</P>
<P>The civil war between king and parliament began in 1642. In October 1642 the king came to Birmingham with his army. His soldiers looted the houses of civilians. After the king left the townspeople attacked his baggage train and looted it.</P>
<P>In 1769 an act of Parliament formed a body of men called the Street Commissioners who had powers to clean and light the streets of Birmingham.</P>
<P>However the sprawling city that you see today didn't begin to take shape until the 19th century. This is because modern-day Birmingham is essentially the product of industrialisation.</P>
<P>Indeed, the city was at the very heart of the Industrial Revolution and many of the 19th century's most significant discoveries and inventions took place here - for example the invention of gas lighting and the development of steam engines for use in the mining industry.</P>
<P>And with industrialisation Birmingham boomed. The population exploded and within a few decades the city was home to so many different industries that it was nicknamed the "city of 1001 trades".</P>
<P>During World War II Birmingham was, as a major manufacturing centre, an obvious target for German bombing. More than 2,000 people died as a result of the bombing.</P>
<P>However, recent years have seen a dramatic transformation. Large areas of the city have been redeveloped and so the blight of Birmingham's post-war architecture has been softened.</P>
<P><STRONG><U>Geography</U></STRONG></P>
<P>Birmingham is located just to the west of the geographical centre of England, Birmingham has a total area of 267.77 sq. km. It is situated across an area of high ground ranging around 150-200 meters above sea level. The city is surrounded in the south and west of the city by Lickey Hills, Clent Hills and Walton Hill.</P>
<P><STRONG><U>Demographics</U></STRONG></P>
<P>Birmingham is the largest city in the state with a population currently estimated at 242,820, and a metro population of 1,079,089. </P>
<P>The city is a home to 1,001, 200 people.</P>
<P><STRONG><U>Economy</U></STRONG></P>
<P>Birmingham is a major UK and international centre for business, commerce and industry. The city is home to numerous UK, merchant and overseas banks, over 500 laws firms and is Europe’s second largest insurance market.</P>
<P>Much of the Birmingham's economic strength lies with the major industries. Considered as an important manufacturing and engineering center, the city receives billions of pounds from its industries. Pen manufacture began in the city has revolutionized writing across the globe.</P>
<P>Design and construction of railway carriages, steam engines, motorcycles, bicycles and automobiles were the main source of income for the city. It was also home to two major car factories.</P>
<P><STRONG><U>Culture</U></STRONG></P>
<P>Birmingham offers a wide range of arts and cultural activities.</P>
<P>Birmingham with its fascinating museums and stunning art galleries offers a world class culture scene and is a regional centre of culture and art. Birmingham was the first to submit its bid to become European Capital of Culture for 2008.</P>
<P>The Midlands Arts Centre is one of the most popular in the region, home to free exhibitions, theatre performances, music, comedy and literary events.</P>
<P>The city is known for numerous squares in Birmingham city center that contain memorials and pieces of art.</P>
<P>Clubs, Pubs, Cafés, Live Music</P>
<P>There are so many places to go, and so much to do that you will always be spoilt for choice... Spend an evening in a canalside café, pub or restaurant, take a trip to the cinema, theatre or ballet or laugh the night away at the Glee and Jongleurs Comedy Clubs.</P>
<P><STRONG><U>Sports</U></STRONG></P>
<P>Birmingham is an international centre for world sport. The Belfry golf course is a preferred venue of Ryder Cup tournaments; Edgbaston Cricket ground plays host to Test Match cricket; and international tennis is played at Edgbaston Priory.</P>
<P>Other spectator sports, including basketball, rugby, ice-hockey, badminton and squash are available at venues across the city.</P>
<P>Leisure activities in and around Birmingham include go-karting, snowboarding and skiing (for example at Tamworth Snowdome), ice skating, tenpin bowling and paintball, whilst the city’s many parks and gardens offer space to relax in the open air.</P>
<P><STRONG><U>Transportation</U></STRONG></P>
<P>Birmingham is situated at the crossroads of the UK's motorway system and is one of the most accessible cities in the UK. It is well served by all major forms of transport including air, railway and couches.</P>
<P>The city is conveniently central to an extensive network of motorways and railways. Birmingham International Airport is ten minutes away whilst London is only a 90-minute journey on the train or around two hours’ drive.</P>
<P>Walking is just as easy, as the city centre is now almost totally pedestrianised and is a safe and welcoming place.<BR><BR></P> |
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