United Kingdom UK Britain

BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham is after London the second largest city in Great Britain. With about 1 million inhabitants, the city is located in the West Midlands region. The foreign population of Birmingham stems partly from the Caribbean, the Indian subcontinent, Ireland, Pakistan, the Rastafaris from Jamaica, Kosovo and all over the world.

Its history goes back to the Bronze Age. During the Industrial Revolution in the19th century Birmingham took in a major and central place. The once with metal processing famous city now offers plenty of shopping opportunities, for example in the New Street, high-rise buildings and an attractive appearance. It is also known for its St. Patrick s Day Parade. Increasingly is Birmingham getting the city of the services, finance, and tourism. Railway, tramway and highway is connecting the city with the environment and the airport also even with New York.

On the theme of music, art and education one can tell much about Birmingham. The NEC Arena and the National Indoor Arena are ideal for rock and pop concerts. Prominence from Birmingham include: Duran Duran, various songwriters, UB40 and Steel Pulse, Dexys Midnight Runners, Black Sabbath, Magnum, The Spencer Davis Group, The Moody Blues, Judas Priest, The Fortunes, The Move, Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), and many others. Also for lovers of classical art Birmingham has something to offer: the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

The world known Barbara Cartland was born in Birmingham (Edgbaston) and Arthur Conan Doyle and Tolkien spent much time in Birmingham. Numerous writers, authors, actors and singers and rock musicians, such as Ozzy Osbourne, athletes and politicians, and furthermore graffiti, House, Bhangra, Hip-Hop from Birmingham can not be forgotten. Furthermore, the Aston Villa and Birmingham City football clubs are belonging to the city, which were founded more than 130 years ago.

The city of Birmingham has three universities with a total of about 60,000, partly international students, and the best conservatory in the country. Furthermore, the city has many well known churches, cathedrals, theaters and art galleries and its own film festival (Birmingham Film Festival). The Birmingham Museum Art Gallery, the ICC, the National Sea-Life Centre and the Botanical Garden are attractions in the city. One can also admire the works of Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh and Rodin in The Barber Institute of Fine Arts. New Street Station and Rotunda are very interesting buildings. In Think Tank Museum of Birmingham is the oldest steam engine made by James Watt. In Selfridge, Bull Ring and Jewellery Quarter one can make an endless shopping trip and in the Chinese Quarter enjoy the nightlife.