Birmingham, UK
Updated : 2019-02-14Source : CCFAO
Birmingham, UK
July 7, 1983
Changchun and Birmingham Established Sister City Relationship
[City Profile]
Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK. It is located in West Midlands Shire in the West Midlands region of England. On an advantageous location, it is 160 kilometers from capital London with only one hour and 20 minutes drive. It covers an area of 208.8 square kilometers with a population of 3.683 million (2009). The city has a long history in industrial and commercial development, and it is the birthplace of the industrial revolution, once known as the "world factory." As a cosmopolitan city, it is the most culturally diversified city in the UK. In addition to white people, there are many immigrants from the Caribbean area, South Asia and Ireland.
[Resources and Industries]
Birmingham has large-scale automotive industry, with about a quarter of its residents engaged in automotive-related occupations. World-famous automobiles like Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Jaguar have their headquarters and plants here. The biennial Birmingham International Auto Show is one of the most important auto shows in Europe, and it plays an important role in the world regarding its scale and influence. In addition, it takes lead in high-tech, biomedical and scientific research and development capabilities in UK. The city's industrial output accounts for one-fifth of UK's total industrial output.
At present, the city's economy is shifting to the tertiary industry, and its finance and tourism are also developing very quickly. With an annual reception of approximately 22 million visitors, its business prosperity is second only to West End of London.
Birmingham is also the most important higher education base in UK, and the famous University of Birmingham was built in 1825.
