Birmingham town guide
Centre of the West Midlands conurbation and claimed to be England's second city Birmingham is the centre of a vibrant and cosmopolitan metropolis. Over the twentieth century there was an influx of many different cultures into Birmingham. The city can now claim to be one the most culturally diverse in the world.
In earlier days Birmingham was the undisputed centre of the manufacturing industry in England, "Made in Birmingham" was a mark to emulate. The growth of Birmingham's Industry was fostered by the abundance of raw material close enough to the city for the transport systems of the day. As Birmingham grew so too did the transport corridors that served its industry. From the early days when the proliferation of canals brought easy movement of goods to all parts, through the age of the railway and down to the Motorway age, Birmingham remains as always at the forefront of transport change. The recently opened M6 Toll Road is testament to this as the first experience of toll roads for the motor age.
Although development has continued apace the city has many reminders of its industrial heritage, not least the canal, even today the city boasts more miles of canal than even Venice.
Although the character of Birmingham's industry has changed, the city still provides an enviable range of cultural diversions from the Birmingham Royal Ballet to the Black Country Museum and Dudley Zoo, not forgetting the shopping opportunities in the recently inaugurated Bullring. Birmingham has much to offer the visitor albeit sometimes in an unlikely setting.
|
