Twin city Birmingham (Great Britain)
History and profile of the twin city
The first record of Birmingham dates back to 1085/86. In 1166 the city was granted the right to hold markets. During the late 18th century, Birmingham was the centre of the industrial revolution and the first steam engine manufacturers.
The city witnessed a major developmental upswing during the 19th century as a consequence of which it became a major industrial city. Initially a major centre of mechanical engineering, car manufacturing, the chemical industry, the electrical engineering and electronics industry have developed over the last century. Birmingham became the capital of British car manufacturing, and since 1976, the city has also become a centre of trade fairs and exhibitions. Other important sectors are the city's service, print and publishing, and tourist industries. By way of a successful structural change Birmingham became a city with a major influence on the socio-political 'pulse' of great Britain and a most attractive metropolis with a great quality of life.
Among Birmingham's locational advantages are its infrastructure as a junction of major railway lines and roads and its modern airport. The city's positive image is complemented by its universities with approximately 45,000 students, several museums and theatres, its world-famous symphonic orchestra, botanical gardens, and a wealth of other sights and attractions.
Facts and Figures
Second-largest city of Great Britain and centre of the Metropolitan County West Midlands
Population: approx. 1 million
Twin city of Leipzig since 1961, renewed 1992