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Birmingham

Specialty Definition: Birmingham

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

This article is about Birmingham in England; see also Birmingham, Alabama and other towns called Birmingham

Birmingham, with its population of 977,087 (2001 Census), is technically the biggest city in the United Kingdom. Because London is bigger, and often erroneously thought of as a single city, Birmingham is known as "the Second City" (a title also occasionally claimed by Manchester).

Introduction

The city is situated in the West Midlands conurbation, of which it forms the largest part. Along with the city of Wolverhampton, the Black Country and a number of surrounding towns, this conurbation consists of around 2.25 million people.

Birmingham is part of the traditional but not modern county of Warwickshire. However, it has never been in the administrative county of the same name (established 1889).

The city is commonly known to its inhabitants as Brum (from the old name "brummagem") and its inhabitants known as Brummies. Birmingham residents also speak with a distinctive Brummie accent. The people are generally regarded as hard working, and having an unusual sense of humour that is quite unique. It is often said that "you can always tell a Brummie, but you can't tell him much".

Birmingham is governed by Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in the United Kingdom (UK).

Birmingham is a multi-cultural city, with a large population from the Indian sub-continent and Carribean, according to the 2001 census 29.7% of the population of Birmingham is non-white. This has meant that the city has a surprising mix of cultures. Birmingham balti restuarants are reputed to produce the best Indian food outside India.

You will often hear Brummies quoting the facts that not only does Birmingham have more canals than Venice but that it also has both more parkland and more trees (per person) than any other city in Europe. Birmingham certainly does boast an unusual number of trees, and there 35 miles of canals within the Birmingham city boundaries (by comparison there are 26 miles of canals within the centre of Venice - that is, within the six sestieri, and thus a much smaller land area than Birmingham, source [1]).

Birmingham is also popular tourist attraction - about 22 million people every year visit the city. It's top attractions include the Art Gallery, Bull Ring, Cadbury World and the somewhat bizzarrely located National Sea Life Centre.

The City's coat of arms shows two figures, representing Industry and The Arts.

Industry

The conurbation is an industrial centre, home to the Jaguar and MG Rover Group car companies. Until 2003, coins were manufactured at the Birmingham Mint, the oldest independent mint in the world. Other famous brands from the "City of a thousand trades" include Cadbury chocolate, LDV vans and HP Sauce. Past brands include Bird's Custard, BSA motorbikes, Bakelite, Lucas, the Mini and Ansells Beer.

Birmingham also has a history of making railway carriages, wire, steam engines, aeroplanes, guns, precious- metalware, jewellery and even, bizarrely for somewhere so far from the sea, ships (which were made as pre-fabricated sections, assembled at the coast).

While manufacturing is still important to the city, and to its future, the local economy is rapidly diversifying; in particular, professional and financial services and tourism are growing quickly. More details about the Birmingham economy can be found at http://www.birminghameconomy.org.uk

Once considered the Industrial Backbone of Britain, Birmingham has in recent years been renovated, with the city centre now a more attractive and pleasant place to walk around.

The Arts

The bands Black Sabbath, The Beat, Spencer Davis Group, Charlatans, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Dodgy, Duran Duran, ELO, Judas Priest, The Moody Blues, Magnum, Pop Will Eat Itself, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, The Move, Ocean Colour Scene, Steel Pulse, Traffic, UB40 and Wizzard all originated in Birmingham, as did the musicians Joan Armatrading and Steve Winwood.

In fiction, Birmingham was gently satirized by David Lodge. The fictional town of Rummidge and its University which feature in several of his novels, were based on Birmingham. Judith Cutler's crime novels are set in present-day Birmingham. The fictitious characters in the long-running Radio 4 serial The Archers often visit Birmingham, where the programme is in fact made.

Arthur Conan Doyle lived in Aston from about Spring 1879 - early 1882 and many of his works include refences to people or places he knew there.

Washington Irving lived in Birmingham for a while, during which time he wrote stories including Rip van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Bracebridge Hall, or, The Humorists, A Medley is based on Aston Hall.

Symphony Hall (home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) is in the City Centre.

Sport

Birmingham is home to two professional football teams: Aston Villa and Birmingham City (nearby West Bromwich Albion's ground The Hawthorns used to be divided by the Birmingham/ Smethwick border, but was moved completely into the latter by a minor rationalisation of local government borders in the 1960s).

Warwickshire County Cricket Club play at Edgbaston.

Lawn Tennis was first played in Birmingham.

The first ever football league was invented by a Brimingham man in Aston.

Learning

Birmingham has three universities: The University of Birmingham, Aston University and The University of Central England (UCE, formerly Birmingham Polytechnic). The UCE has asked Aston to consider a merger.

Transport

Birmingham is well served by a number of transport modes. Including:

Road

Birmingham is connected to London and the south, and the north-east of England and to Scotland by the M6 motorway. The M40 also connects Birmingham to London and to Oxford. The M5 motorway connects Birmingham to the south-west of England. The M42 motorway connects Birmingham to the East Midlands.

Rail

A plethora of railway lines from all over the UK go into Birmingham, which is a central hub of the rail network. Most of which converge in Birmingham New Street station from where regular train services to all the major cities in the UK including London can be caught. Trains to London can currently also be caught at Birmingham Snow Hill station, as can trams to Wolverhampton on the Midland Metro. Although the London services are due to be diverted into Moor Street station in 2004.

Air

Birmingham is served by Birmingham International Airport, which has flights to all over Europe and to New York.

Water

Although it has no major river (the Rea is little more than a culverted stream, and the Tame, which only passes through the northern suburbs, is not navigable), Birmingham is at the hub of the country's canal network. Major canals including the Grand Union Canal, the Birmingham and Worcester Canal, and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal go into Birmingham.

History

Early years

Small farming settlements existed in the Birmingham area since the Bronze Age. In Roman times, the Ryknild Street Roman road passed through what is now the Birmingham area, and a large millitary fort and marching camp existed at Metchley in what is now southern Birmingham. Remains of pottery kilns dating from the Roman period have also been found in the Birmingham area.

Until the Middle Ages, due to poor quality soil which made agriculture unproductive, the Birmingham area was for centuries a sparsely populated backwater.

Modern Birmingham came into existence in the year 1154 when a local landowner called Peter de Birmingham obtained a charter to hold a market, a settlement grew up around this market named Birmingham after its founder.

The market was called the Bull Ring and was the centre of all activity in what was then a village. Birmingham became a Borough in the early 13th century.

From the 16th century onwards Birmingham became a centre of many metalworking industries, with a skilled population of Ironmongers. Birmingham also became a centre of arms manufacturing, with Guns and Swords being produced in the then town. This trade was greatly helped by the English Civil War, Birmingham manufacturers supplied the Roundheads with much of their armaments. Reputedly, 15,000 swords were produced in Birmingham for Cromwell's forces.

Birmingham's skilled workforce, and the fact that Birmingham was located near the coalfields of Staffordshire, meant that the town grew rapidly during the Industrial revolution. Birmingham was then home to Matthew Boulton, James Watt, William Murdoch, Joseph Priestley and others, who, together, were known as the Lunar Society.

19th Century Expansion

In the late 18th and early 19th century Birmingham became a centre of the canal system, which greatly aided its industrial growth.

In the 1830s the Grand Junction Railway (linking onwards to Liverpool and Manchester) and the London and Birmingham Railway were built and Birmingham New Street station soon became the hub of the railway network.

During the 19th century Birmingham's population mushroomed and by the middle of the 19th century Birmingham had become the second largest population centre in Britain. It was also during the 19th century that Birmingham gained its reputation (which continues to this day amongst many of those uninformed of recent changes) as a grim industrial city. In 1873 Joseph Chamberlain became mayor of the city. Under his leadership, the council introduced many innovative civic improvements, including municipal gas and water works which improved the lighting and provided clean drinking water to the city; and opened numerous public parks.

Birmingham became a county borough in 1889, and a city in 1896.

20th Century

During the 20th century Birmingham's population continued to rise. An important industrial centre, the city was heavily bombed by the German Luftwaffe during World War II, in a failed attempt to break the morale of the city's workers. In total, 2,441 Birmingham residents were killed by German bombs during the war.

In the postwar years a massive program of slum clearances took place, and vast areas of the city were re-built, with overcrowded "back to back" housing being replaced by high rise blocks of flats (the last remaining block of four back to backs are to become a museum). The city centre was also extensively re-built, especially the Bull Ring Shopping Centre. Birmingham also became a centre of the national motorway network, with Spaghetti Junction.

In 1974, two city- centre pubs were bombed by the IRA.

Diversity

In the years following World War II a major influx of immigrants from the British Commonwealth changed the face of Birmingham, with large communities from Southern Asia and the Caribbean settling in the city, turning Birmingham into one of the UK's leading multicultural cities. As of 2001 29.7% of the city's population is made up of ethnic minority communities. Amongst the largest minority communities: 10.6% of Birmingham residents are Pakistani, 5.7% are Indian, 6.1% are Black Carribean or African, and 2.9% are of mixed race.

Since the early 1980s Birmingham has seen a new wave of migration, this time from communities which do not have Commonwealth roots, including people from Kosovo and Somalia. Birmingham's reputation as a city built on migration looks to continue. If Birmingham ended the 19th century as a Commonwealth city, the future diversity of the City is set to be global.

Regeneration

In the 1970s, the National Exhibition Centre was built, 10 miles southeast of the centre, close to Birmingham International Airport. Although it is actually just inside neighbouring Solihull, it was instigated, and largely owned by, Birmingham Council, and is thought by most people to be in the city. It has been expanded several times since then.

The International Convention Centre (ICC) opened in central Birmingham in the early 1990s.

The area around Broad Street was extensively renovated at the turn of the Millennium, making it possible to walk beside the canals. In September 2003, after a year long redevelopment project, the new Bull Ring was opened. The city recently failed in its bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2008, under the banner "Be in Birmingham 2008".

Population Growth by year

• 1550 pop 1,500
• 1650 pop 5,000
• 1750 pop 24,000
• 1800 pop 75,000
• 1900 pop 650,000
• 1981 pop 1,013,431
• 2001 pop 977,000

In recent years, Birmingham's population has declined slightly, from its peak of just over one million in 1980.

Famous Residents

• Sir Michael Balcon
• John Baskerville
• Matthew Boulton
• Jane Bunford
• Edward Burne-Jones
• Arthur Chamberlain
• Joseph Chamberlain
• Arthur Conan Doyle
• Sid Field
• Tony Hancock
• Washington Irving
• Alec Issigonis
• Albert William Ketèlbey
• Henry Vollam Morton
• William Murdoch
• Bill Oddie
• Ozzy Osbourne
• Joseph Priestley
• J. R. R. Tolkien
• James Watt
• William Withering

Districts

• Acocks Green
• Aston
• Balsall Heath
• Edgbaston
• Harborne
• Handsworth
• Kings Norton
• Kingstanding
• Ladywood
• Lea Bank
• Moseley
• Northfield
• Perry Barr
• Saltley
• Selly Oak
• Sparkbrook
• Washwood Heath
• West Heath
• Yardley

Nearby Cities

• Coventry
• Lichfield
• Wolverhampton

Nearby Towns

• Dudley
• Smethwick
• Solihull
• Walsall
• West Bromwich
• see also The Black Country

External Links

• Birmingham City Council's website
• Conan Doyle in Birmingham
• Washington Irving in Birmingham

  Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Birmingham."

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Birmingham (disambiguation)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Birmingham is the name of several places in the world:

• Birmingham, England
• Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
• Birmingham, Michigan, United States of America

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Birmingham (disambiguation)."

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Birmingham City Council

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Birmingham City Council is the largest local authority in the UK, consisting of 117 elected members (Councillors), representing 39 wards (local electoral districts) and just under one million people in the city of Birmingham.

The council is currently controlled by the Labour Party, led by Councillor Sir Albert Bore.

See also: Balsall Heath, Moseley, Selly Oak.

External Link

• Birmingham City Council website

  Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Birmingham City Council."

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Birmingham City F.C.

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Birmingham City (BCFC) is one of Birmingham's two professional (soccer) teams (the other is Aston Villa F.C).

Nicknamed "the Blues", after their blue and white strip, their ground is called "St. Andrew's".

After a number of years in the second flight league, Birmingham gained promotion to the FA Premier league for the 2002/3 season, under the guidance of Manager Steve Bruce.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Birmingham City F.C.."

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Birmingham, Alabama

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Birmingham is the name of a number of other places, for info on them click here

Birmingham is a city located in Jefferson County, Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population is 242,820, and the metropolitan area population is 849,194. It is the largest city, and the county seat of Jefferson County, in the state of Alabama. It is known as the "Pittsburgh of the South" because it had for many years an economy built on steel refining.

Birmingham was founded in 1871 at a railroad junction. Through the early 20th century, due largely to it's abundant mineral reserves, Birmingham grew rapidly, and soon became a leading industrial center. This rapid growth led to it's nickname of "The Magic City".

Birmingham was hit hard by the Great Depression in the 1930s. And the city's economy has gradually been diversified to be more service and engineering orientated.

In the 1960s Birmingham recieved national and international attention, due to it being a center of the struggle for civil rights for African Americans. The city is referenced in folk singer Ani DiFranco's song "Hello Birmingham" (lyrics) for this reason. There is also a Randy Newman song about the city, called "Birmingham" (lyrics).

Birmingham is the birthplace of:

• Emmylou Harris, singer
• Lyman Bostock, baseball player

Birmingham is located at latitude 33° 28' N, longitude 86° 50' W.

The mayor of Birmingham (as of 2003) is Bernard Kincaid. The city has a mayor/council form of government.

Birmingham is served by Birmingham International Airport.

Geography

Birmingham is located at 33°31'29" North, 86°48'46" West (33.524755, -86.812740)¹.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 393.5 km² (151.9 mi²). 388.3 km² (149.9 mi²) of it is land and 5.3 km² (2.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.34% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 242,820 people, 98,782 households, and 59,269 families residing in the city. The population density is 625.4/km² (1,619.7/mi²). There are 111,927 housing units at an average density of 288.3/km² (746.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 24.07% White, 73.46% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 98,782 households out of which 27.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.1% are married couples living together, 24.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% are non-families. 34.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.37 and the average family size is 3.09.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 80.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $26,735, and the median income for a family is $31,851. Males have a median income of $28,184 versus $23,641 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,663. 24.7% of the population and 20.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 35.4% are under the age of 18 and 18.5% are 65 or older.

External Link

• A website about Birmingham, AL

  Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Birmingham, Alabama."

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Birmingham, Iowa

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Birmingham is a city located in Van Buren County, Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 423.

Geography

Birmingham is located at 40°52'43" North, 91°56'48" West (40.878626, -91.946610)¹. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²). 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 423 people, 185 households, and 120 families residing in the city. The population density is 155.5/km² (402.5/mi²). There are 204 housing units at an average density of 75.0/km² (194.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 99.53% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.24% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 185 households out of which 29.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% are married couples living together, 8.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% are non-families. 29.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.86. In the city the population is spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 109.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 103.1 males. The median income for a household in the city is $31,406, and the median income for a family is $40,250. Males have a median income of $27,614 versus $20,536 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,554. 8.8% of the population and 3.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 10.1% are under the age of 18 and 11.0% are 65 or older.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Birmingham, Iowa."

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Birmingham, Michigan

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Birmingham is a city located in Oakland County, Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,291.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.4 km² (4.8 mi²). 12.4 km² (4.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.21% is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 19,291 people, 9,131 households, and 5,076 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,558.2/km² (4,038.4/mi²). There are 9,700 housing units at an average density of 783.5/km² (2,030.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 96.13% White, 0.91% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 9,131 households out of which 24.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% are married couples living together, 6.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% are non-families. 38.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.11 and the average family size is 2.85. In the city the population is spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.2 males. The median income for a household in the city is $80,861, and the median income for a family is $110,627. Males have a median income of $78,865 versus $51,834 for females. The per capita income for the city is $59,314. 2.9% of the population and 1.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 2.5% are under the age of 18 and 3.3% are 65 or older.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Birmingham, Michigan."

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Birmingham, Missouri

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Birmingham is a village located in Clay County, Missouri. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 214.

Geography

Birmingham is located at 39°9'60" North, 94°27'7" West (39.166653, -94.451845)¹. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²). 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 214 people, 82 households, and 56 families residing in the village. The population density is 162.0/km² (419.5/mi²). There are 89 housing units at an average density of 67.4/km² (174.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the village is 97.66% White, 0.93% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. 0.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 82 households out of which 42.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% are married couples living together, 8.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% are non-families. 24.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.61 and the average family size is 3.20. In the village the population is spread out with 31.3% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 132.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 107.0 males. The median income for a household in the village is $36,563, and the median income for a family is $45,000. Males have a median income of $38,125 versus $22,857 for females. The per capita income for the village is $16,420. 5.1% of the population and 8.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 2.6% are under the age of 18 and 22.2% are 65 or older.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Birmingham, Missouri."

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Birmingham, Pennsylvania

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Birmingham is a borough located in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 91.

Geography

Birmingham is located at 40°38'50" North, 78°11'43" West (40.647275, -78.195181)¹. According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²). 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 91 people, 39 households, and 24 families residing in the borough. The population density is 585.6/km² (1,454.2/mi²). There are 44 housing units at an average density of 283.1/km² (703.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough is 96.70% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.20% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 0.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 39 households out of which 20.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% are married couples living together, 10.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% are non-families. 33.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 2.92. In the borough the population is spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.6 males. The median income for a household in the borough is $30,000, and the median income for a family is $30,625. Males have a median income of $25,938 versus $27,679 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $17,964. 0.0% of the population and 0.0% of families are below the poverty line.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Birmingham, Pennsylvania."

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City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) is based in Birmingham in England.

The orchestra was founded as the City of Birmingham Orchestra in 1920, with Edward Elgar conducting its first concert. Adrian Boult was its chief conductor from 1924 to 1930. It became a full time organisation in 1944, changing its name to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1948. The composer Andrzej Panufnik was chief conductor from 1957 to 1960.

The orchestra made recordings and gave regular concerts, but did not gain any international renown until Simon Rattle became its chief conductor in 1980. Under him, the orchestra became one of the leading ensembles in Britain, and gained a name for its interpretations of late romantic and 20th century works. During this period, the orchestra moved from Birmingham Town Hall to a new "home venue", Symphony Hall, inside Birmingham's renowned International Convention Centre. In 1990, the post of Radcliffe Composer in Association was created, with Mark-Anthony Turnage filling the role. In 1995 Judith Weir became Fairbairn Composer in Association.

The Finn Sakari Oramo took over from Simon Rattle in 1998, upon the latter securing a post at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

The CBSO records mainly for EMI records.

External link

• Official site

  Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra."

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University of Birmingham

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

The University of Birmingham is the oldest of three universities in the English city of Birmingham. It was founded in 1900 as a successor to Mason Science College, and is thus one of the earliest of the "redbrick" universities. It currently has over 15,000 undergraduate and 7,000 postgraduate students.

Its main campus, in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham, is arranged around the 100m-high Chamberlain clock tower, commemorating Joseph Chamberlain, the university's first chancellor. The Great Hall of the university is in the domed Aston Webb Building, named after its architect.

The university's Selly Oak campus is a short distance to the south of the main campus. It was the home of a federation of nine higher education colleges, mainly focussed on theology and education, which were integrated into the university for teaching purposes in 1999. Among these was Westhill College (later the University of Birmingham, Westhill) which merged with the university's School of Education in 2001. The university operates on several other sites in the city, also.

Due to Birmingham's role as a centre of light engineering, the university traditionally had a special focus on science, engineering and commerce. It now teaches a full range of academic subjects.

It is a member of the Russell Group of Universities.

A suggestion to merge with the nearby Aston University is made from time to time, but so far without much progress. (The third university in Birmingham is the University of Central England.

External Link

• University website

  Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "University of Birmingham."

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Abbreviations & Acronyms: Birmingham

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Modern Usage: Birmingham

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Commercial Usage: Birmingham

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Image Slideshow: Birmingham

Photos: Birmingham More pictures...

Illustrations: Birmingham More pictures...

Computer Images: Birmingham More pictures...

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Photo Album: Birmingham

Thumbnail	Description & Credit	Thumbnail	Description & Credit
	Howard Skipper, now retired from Southern Research Institute in Birmingham, Alabama, explained how chemotherapy could work. Credit: Unknown photographer/artist.		View of #2 (left) and #1 (right) furnaces with crane track. Photograph by Jack E. Boucher, April 1974. (Reproduction Number: HAER, ALA, 37-WOOD,1-13) Rich in the primary ingredients for making iron—iron ore, coal and limestone—central Alabama has been a center of iron production since before the Civil War. Many railroad companies and iron manufacturers set up shop in Jefferson County, and the region's iron ore made the city of Birmingham famous for high-quality foundry iron. The Woodward Iron Company established the first iron furnaces in the Bessemer area just south of Birmingham in the 1880s. By 1966, the company had become one of the largest independent manufacturers of pig iron in the United States. The furnaces shown here were demolished in 1974-75. (See HABS/HAER, National Park Service for more history.). Credit: Library of Congress.
	Public Health Building, Birmingham, Alabama. Credit: National Library of Medicine.		Jefferson County (Alabama) Medical Society Bldg, Birmingham. Credit: National Library of Medicine.
	The flag-draped caskets of the victims of the USS Maine explosion are brought ashore at the Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia, from USS Birmingham (Scout Cruiser # 2), 23 March 1912. Credit: NAVY.		At Newport, Rhode Island, on 7 October 1916. She subsequently attacked Allied shipping off the U.S. East Coast. USS Birmingham (Scout Cruiser # 2) is in the right distance. Note tall radio masts and German Navy flags on the submarine, and the interesting small boat tied up alongside. Credit: NAVY.
	Joe Birmingham. Credit: Library of Congress.		Joseph Birmingham. Credit: Library of Congress.
	Town Hall Birmingham. Credit: Library of Congress.		Bird's-eye view, business section, Birmingham, Ala. / Arbiter Bros. Credit: Library of Congress.
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

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Digital Photo Gallery: Birmingham
 

"Radio Mast" by James Stephen Windsor Commentary: "The radio / mobile mast on the Beacon, Birmingham."	"Blue Dome 1" by Matt Williams Commentary: "The fabulous blue domed ceiling in one wing of Birmingham Museum and art Gallery."
Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers.

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Familiar Quotations: Birmingham

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Use in Literature: Birmingham

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Non-Fiction Usage: Birmingham

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Usage Frequency: Birmingham

Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.

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Name Usage Frequency: Birmingham

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Usage in Company Names: Birmingham

Source: compiled by the editor from Icon Group International, Inc.

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Cities: Birmingham

INDEX

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