View source for Birmingham

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{about|the UK city|the US city|Birmingham, Alabama|other uses|Birmingham (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info ---------------->
 | official_name                   = Birmingham
 | native_name                     = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
 | etymology                       = [[Old English]] ''Beormingahām'' (home or settlement of the ''[[Beormingas]]'')
 | nickname = {{Flatlist|
* Brum
* Brummagem
* Second City
* City Of A Thousand Trades
* Workshop of the World
* Venice Of The North
* The UK’s ❤️ City
 }}
 | settlement_type                 = [[City status in the United Kingdom|City]] and [[metropolitan borough]]
 | motto                           = Forward
 | population_demonym              = Brummie

<!-- images and maps --------------->
 | image_skyline = {{Photomontage
   | photo1a = Birmingham-Skyline-from-Edgbaston-crop.jpg {{!}}Birmingham City Centre from the south
   | photo2a = Library-of-Birmingham-oblique-crop.jpg{{!}}Library of Birmingham
   | photo2b = Birmingham Town Hall from Chamberlain Square crop.jpg{{!}}Birmingham Town Hall
   | photo3a = St Philips Cathedral, Birmingham from the east.jpg{{!}}St Philip's Cathedral
   | photo3b = Old Joe and University of Birmingham from Bournbrook crop.jpg{{!}}University of Birmingham
   | photo3c = BirminghamBullRingFromNorth.jpg{{!}}St Martin's church and Selfridges department store in the Bull Ring
   | size = 280
   | color_border =
   | color = 
   | spacing = 2
   | foot_montage =
 }}
 | imagesize                       =
 | image_caption                   = Clockwise, from top: the [[Birmingham city centre|city centre]] from the south, [[Birmingham Town Hall]], [[St Martin in the Bull Ring|St Martin's church]] and the [[Selfridges Building, Birmingham|Selfridges Building]] in the [[Bull Ring, Birmingham|Bull Ring]], the [[University of Birmingham]], [[St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham|St Philip's Cathedral]], and the [[Library of Birmingham]]
 | image_flag                      = Flag of Birmingham, United Kingdom.svg
 | flag_link                       = Flag of Birmingham (England)
 | flag_size                       = 150px
 | image_seal                      =
 | seal_size                       =
 | image_shield                    = Coat of arms of Birmingham.svg
 | shield_size                     =
 | image_blank_emblem              =
 | blank_emblem_type               =
 | blank_emblem_size               =
 | blank_emblem_link               =

 | image_map                       = Birmingham UK locator map.svg
 | mapsize                         =
 | map_caption                     = Birmingham shown in the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands county]]

 | image_map1         =
 | mapsize1           =
 | map_caption1       =

 | image_dot_map                   =
 | pushpin_map_caption          = Location in England##Location in the United Kingdom##Location in Europe 
 | pushpin_map             = England#United Kingdom#Europe
 | pushpin_label_position          = right
 | pushpin_relief                = 1

<!-- Location ------------------>
 | subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]]
 | subdivision_name   = {{flag|United Kingdom}}

 | subdivision_type1  = {{nowrap|[[Countries of the United Kingdom|Constituent country]]}}
 | subdivision_name1  = {{flag|England}}

 | subdivision_type2  = [[Regions of England|Region]]
 | subdivision_name2  = [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]]

 | subdivision_type3  = [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial county]]
 | subdivision_name3  = {{flag|West Midlands}}

 | subdivision_type4  = [[historic counties of England|Historic county]]
 | subdivision_name4  = {{flag|Warwickshire}}

<!-- Politics ----------------->
 | government_footnotes =
 | government_type    = [[Metropolitan borough]]
 | governing_body     = [[Birmingham City Council]]

 | leader_title       = [[Executive arrangements#Leader and cabinet|Leadership]]
 | leader_name        = [[Local Government Act 2000#Options for council executive forms|Leader and cabinet]]

 | leader_title1      = [[Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom#Unitary authorities|Executive]]
 | leader_name1       = {{English district control|GSS=E08000025}}

 | leader_title2      = Leader
 | leader_name2       = Vacant (Deputy Leader Ian Ward, acting)

 | leader_title3      = [[Lord Mayor of Birmingham|Lord Mayor]]
 | leader_name3       = Anne Underwood

 | leader_title4      = Chief Executive (Interim)
 | leader_name4       = Stella Manzie [[Companion of the Order of the British Empire|CBE]]

 | established_title  = Settlement
 | established_date   = c. 600

 | established_title1 = {{nowrap|[[Seigneurial borough]]}}
 | established_date1  = 1166

 | established_title2 = [[Municipal borough]]
 | established_date2  = 1838

 | established_title3 = [[City status in the United Kingdom|City status]]
 | established_date3  = [[List of cities in the United Kingdom|14 January 1889]]

 | established_title4 = [[Metropolitan borough]]
 | established_date4  = [[Local Government Act 1972|1 April 1974]]

 | seat_type          = Administrative HQ
 | seat = [[Council House, Birmingham|The Council House]],<br/>[[Victoria Square, Birmingham|Victoria Square]]

<!-- Area --------------------->
 | area_magnitude                  =
 | unit_pref                       = UK <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
 | total_type                      = City
 | area_footnotes                  =
 | area_total_km2                  = {{English district area|GSS=E08000025}}
 | area_land_km2                   = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion-->
 | area_water_km2                  =
 | area_rank                       = [[List of English districts by area|{{English district area rank|GSS=E08000025}}]]
 | area_total_sq_mi                =
 | area_land_sq_mi                 =
 | area_water_sq_mi                =
 | area_water_percent              =
 | area_urban_km2                  = 598.9
 | area_urban_sq_mi                =
 | area_metro_km2                  =
 | area_metro_sq_mi                =

 | area_blank1_title               =
 | area_blank1_km2                 =
 | area_blank1_sq_mi               =

<!-- Population ----------------------->
 | population_as_of                = {{English statistics year}}
 | population_total                = {{English district population|GSS=E08000025}}
 | population_footnotes            =
 | population_rank                 = [[List of English districts by population|{{English district rank|GSS=E08000025}}]]
 | population_density_km2          = {{English district density|GSS=E08000025}}
 | population_density_sq_mi        =
 | population_urban                = 2,440,986 ([[List of urban areas in the United Kingdom|3rd]])
 | population_density_urban_km2    =
 | population_density_urban_sq_mi  =
 | population_metro                = 4,332,629 ([[List of metropolitan areas in Europe]])
 | population_density_metro_km2    =
 | population_density_metro_sq_mi  =
 | population_blank1_title         =
 | population_blank1 =

 | population_density_blank1_km2   =
 | population_density_blank1_sq_mi =

 | population_blank2_title         =
 | population_blank2 =
 | population_density_blank2_km2   =
 | population_density_blank2_sq_mi =

<!-- General information --------------->
 | timezone                        = [[Greenwich Mean Time]]
 | utc_offset                      = +0
 | timezone_DST                    = [[British Summer Time]]
 | utc_offset_DST                  = +1
 | coordinates                     = {{coord|52|28|59|N|1|53|37|W|region:GB_type:city|display=inline,title}}
 | elevation_footnotes             = <!--for references: use tags-->
 | elevation_m                     = 140
 | elevation_ft                    =

<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
 | postal_code_type                = Postcode
 | postal_code = [[B postcode area|B]]
 | area_code                       = 0121
 | iso_code                        = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|GB-BIR]]

 | blank_name_sec1    = [[Government Statistical Service|GSS]] code
 | blank_info_sec1    = E08000025

 | blank1_name_sec1   = [[NUTS of the United Kingdom|NUTS 3 code]]
 | blank1_info_sec1   = UKG31

 | blank2_name_sec1   = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
 | blank2_info_sec1   = 00CN

 | blank3_name_sec1   = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|OS grid reference]]
 | blank3_info_sec1   = {{gbmappingsmall|SP066868}}

 | blank4_name_sec1   = [[List of motorways in the United Kingdom|Motorways]]
 | blank4_info_sec1   = [[M6 motorway|M6]]<br>[[M6 Toll]]<br>[[M5 motorway|M5]]<br>[[M42 motorway|M42]]<br>[[A38(M) motorway|A38(M)]]

 | blank5_name = Ethnicity<br/><small>(2011 Census) <ref name=2011censusdemo>[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rft-table-ks201ew.xls "2011 Census: Key Statistics for Local Authorities in England and Wales"]. [[Office for National Statistics|ONS]]. Retrieved 25 December 2012</ref> </small>
 | blank5_info = {{Plainlist|
* 57.9% White (53.1% White British)
* 26.6% Asian
* 8.9% Black
* 4.4% Mixed Race
* 2.0% Other
 }}

 | blank6_name_sec1        = [[List of airports in the United Kingdom and the British Crown Dependencies|International airports]]
 | blank6_info_sec1        = [[Birmingham Airport|Birmingham]] ([[International Air Transport Association airport code|BHX]])

 | blank7_name_sec1        = [[UK railway stations|Major railway stations]]
 | blank7_info_sec1        = [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] ([[United Kingdom railway station categories|A]])<br>[[Birmingham Moor Street railway station|Birmingham Moor Street]] ([[United Kingdom railway station categories|B]])<br>[[Birmingham Snow Hill railway station|Birmingham Snow Hill]] ([[United Kingdom railway station categories|C1]])

 |blank_name_sec2          = [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]
 |blank_info_sec2          = [[United States dollar|US$]] 121.1&nbsp;billion<ref name="brookingsgdp">{{cite web|url=http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/global-metro-monitor-3 |title=Global city GDP 2014 |publisher=Brookings Institution |accessdate=18 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6H7Jql2A9?url=http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/global-metro-monitor-3 |archivedate=4 June 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> ([[List of metropolitan economies in the United Kingdom|2nd]])

 |blank1_name_sec2         = – Per capita
 |blank1_info_sec2         = [[American dollar|US$]] 31,572<ref name="brookingsgdp"/>

 |blank2_name_sec2         = Councillors
 |blank2_info_sec2         = 120

 |blank3_name_sec2         = [[List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 2015|MPs]]
 |blank3_info_sec2         = {{Collapsible list
 | title       = List
|1=[[Richard Burden]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
|2=[[Liam Byrne]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
|3=[[Jack Dromey]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
|4=[[Roger Godsiff]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
|5=[[Khalid Mahmood (British politician)|Khalid Mahmood]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
|6=[[Shabana Mahmood]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
|7=[[Steve McCabe (politician)|Steve McCabe]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
|8=[[Andrew Mitchell]] [[Conservative Party (UK)|(C)]]
|9=[[Jess Phillips (politician)|Jess Phillips]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
|10=[[Preet Gill]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
 }}
 | website            = [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/ www.birmingham.gov.uk]
 | footnotes          =
}}
'''Birmingham''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-uk-Birmingham.ogg|ˈ|b|ɜːr|m|ɪ|ŋ|ə|m}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wordreference.com/enit/birmingham |title=Birmingham |publisher=Wordreference.com}}</ref> {{respell|BUR|ming|əm}}) is a [[city]] and [[metropolitan borough]] in the [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]], [[England]]. It is the second-largest [[metropolitan area]] and [[city]] in the [[United Kingdom]]. 

About 1.1 million people live in Birmingham. Around 4.3 million people live in its metropolitan area.<ref name="CDBir">{{cite web |title=POPULATION OF BIRMINGHAM 2017 (UK) |url=https://countrydigest.org/population-of-birmingham/ |publisher=Country Digest |accessdate=2 October 2018 |archive-date=2 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002141806/https://countrydigest.org/population-of-birmingham/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Planning-and-Regeneration%2FPageLayout&cid=1223096353755&pagename=BCC%2FCommon%2FWrapper%2FWrapper |title=Population and Census |publisher=Birmingham City Council |date=7 July 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126101950/http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Planning-and-Regeneration%2FPageLayout&cid=1223096353755&pagename=BCC%2FCommon%2FWrapper%2FWrapper |archivedate=26 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ONS-2001-2011_census">{{cite web|url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/population-and-household-estimates-for-england-and-wales---unrounded-figures-for-the-data-published-16-july-2012/rft-1-2-ew-fact-file.xls|title=2011 Census: Population and household estimates fact file, unrounded estimates, local authorities in England and Wales (Excel sheet 708Kb)|accessdate=30 December 2013|date=24 September 2012|format=xls|publisher=Office for National Statistics}}</ref> Many people call it the "second city" of the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |title=England's second city: Birmingham |date=24 May 2013 |url=http://www.britain-magazine.com/carousel/birmingham-englands-second-city/ |publisher=Britain Magazine |accessdate=11 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nation's 'second city', Birmingham, is UK's fastest growing regional tourist destination, according to figures |date=24 October 2015 |url=http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/smallbusiness/article-3287741/Nation-s-second-city-Birmingham-UK-s-fastest-growing-regional-tourist-destination-according-figures.html |publisher=This is Money |accessdate=11 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=An ode to Birmingham: how can the UK's second city fix its image problem? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/12/ode-to-birmingham-britain-second-city |work=The Guardian|date=12 July 2014 |accessdate=11 June 2018}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Bell Edison Telephone Building.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] building in Birmingham, faced with [[terracotta]] [[tiles]]]]

Birmingham began as a small town in 1166. 
[[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] gave city status to Birmingham in 1889.

Many [[industry|industries]] were developed in Birmingham during the 18th and 19th centuries. These included making [[weapon]]s and food.

Birmingham manufacturing industry played a big role in the war effort in [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. The WWII [[spitfire]] aeroplane was made in Birmingham. In 2000, a statue of [[Sentinel (sculpture)|stylised spitfires]] was erected next to the old factory site. The factory now makes Jaguar cars.
Birmingham had a large car making industry. It has declined since the 1980s. It remains the home town for [[Jaguar (car)|Jaguar]] and [[Land Rover]] cars.

In 1974, twenty-one people were killed in the [[Birmingham pub bombings]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Birmingham bombings 40 years on: what can we learn from IRA terror?|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11245150/The-Birmingham-bombings-40-years-on-what-can-we-learn-from-IRA-terror.html|access-date=2021-02-08|website=The Telegraph|language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Transport ==

=== Grand Union Canal ===
Birmingham was an important stagine-post in the Victorian industrial [[canal]] system. Today it is the northern terminus of the [[Grand Union Canal]] to [[London]]. Heavy goods (as coal surely is) are most economically moved on water. No other form of transport is so efficient. 

=== Motorways ===
[[File:Spaghetti-Junction-Crop.jpg|thumb|[[Gravelly Hill Interchange|Spaghetti Junction]]]]The [[M40 motorway]] connects to London via [[Oxford]]. The [[M6 motorway]] also connects Birmingham to London (via the [[M1 motorway|M1]]) and to the north-west of England and Scotland. Junction 6 of the M6 is also one of Birmingham's landmarks, and probably the most notable motorway junction in the UK, [[Gravelly Hill Interchange|Spaghetti Junction]], officially called the Gravelly Hill Interchange. Other motorways are: 
* The [[A38 road|A38(M)]] which links Spaghetti Junction to the city centre
*The [[M5 motorway|M5]], connecting Birmingham to the south-west of England
*The [[M42 motorway|M42]], which connects Birmingham to [[Tamworth, Staffordshire|Tamworth]] and the [[East Midlands]]
*The [[M6 Toll]], which enables through traffic on the M6 to bypass Birmingham and [[Wolverhampton]].

Birmingham, unlike London and [[Manchester]], does not have a single orbital motorway. Instead, three motorways form a box which surrounds most of the city. These are:
*The [[M42 motorway|M42]] to the south and east. In the middle, the [[M40 motorway|M40]] ends. It has priority for traffic going from the M40 to the M42 west. The M40 goes off south to [[Warwick]], [[Oxford]], [[High Wycombe]], [[Uxbridge]] and London.
*The [[M5 motorway|M5]] which forms the western section.
*The [[M6 motorway|M6]] which forms the northern section. The M5 ends on the M6.
[[File:A38(M) Aston Expressway.jpg|thumb|The [[A38(M) motorway|A38(M) Aston Expressway]]]]
Other major roads passing through Birmingham include:
*The [[A34 road (England)|A34]] from [[Manchester]] to [[Winchester, Hampshire|Winchester]]
*The [[A38 road|A38]] from [[Mansfield]] to [[Bodmin]]
*The [[A41 road|A41]] from London to [[Birkenhead]]
*The [[A45 road|A45]] from Birmingham to [[Thrapston]] (formerly to [[Felixstowe]])
*The [[A47 road|A47]] from Birmingham to [[Great Yarmouth]]
*The [[A4540 road|A4540]] 'Middleway' ring road
*The [[A4040 road|A4040]] Outer Ring Road

== Famous people from Birmingham ==
* [[Gabriel Agbonlahor]], footballer
* [[Geoff Bunn]], artist
* [[Geezer Butler]], musician and [[Black Sabbath]] member
* [[Jasper Carrott]], comedian
* [[Tony Iommi]], musician and [[Black Sabbath]] member
* [[Jeff Lynne]], musician and [[record producer]], co-founder of [[Electric Light Orchestra]]
* [[Bill Oddie]], television personality
* [[Ozzy Osbourne]], singer, and [[Black Sabbath]] member
* [[James and Oliver Phelps]], actors, famous for playing Fred and George Weasley in the [[Harry Potter]] film series
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], author
* [[Julie Walters]], actor
* [[Steve Winwood]], musician
* [[Richard Hammond]] - Motoring journalist, TV presenter

== Famous pop and rock groups from Birmingham ==
* [[Black Sabbath]], heavy metal rock group
* [[Dexys Midnight Runners]], pop group
* [[Duran Duran]], pop group
* [[Electric Light Orchestra]]
* [[Judas Priest]], rock group
* [[Moody Blues]], pop group
* [[Ocean Colour Scene]]
* [[The Move]], pop group
* [[UB40]], pop group
* [[Wizzard]], pop group

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Other websites ==
* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk Birmingham City Council]
* [http://www.birmingham.org.uk Birmingham tourism site]

{{English Cities|nocat=yes}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Birmingham| ]]