Birmingham, located in the West Midlands, England, has a population of 1,101,360 (as of 2014). Birmingham became a centre of prominence with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. As such it prospered in the fields of science and technology. It underwent economic development and a saw a series of innovations taking place that was responsible for shaping Birmingham into how we know it today. Birmingham became "the first manufacturing town in the world" by the year 1791.
During the period of 1940 to 1943 in the Second World War, the German Luftwaffe heavily bombed Birmingham in what was later made popular by the name of the Birmingham Blitz. However, this damage to the city's infrastructure and its demolition led to its redevelopment in next few decades.
The Brummies, a term derived from the city's nickname of Brum and is used for the citizens of Birmingham.This seems to have originated from the city's earlier name, Bromwicham. The city has a distinctive Brummie accent and dialect as well.
Education
Primary and Secondary
England’s largest local education authority is the Birmingham City Council which is either directly or indirectly responsible for the education of all the students in Birmingham25 nursery schools, 328 primary schools, 77 high schools and 29 schools for the specially abled. There are around 3,500 adult education courses throughout the year in such schools. A majority of Birmingham's state schools are directly run by the Birmingham City Council. Birmingham is also home to a number of schools that are supported by the state system. The secondary schools in Birmingham since the 1970s have been 11-16/18 large schools. On the other hand post, GCSE students have the choice of continuing their education in either a school's sixth form or at a college. In Birmingham’s school system, students are categorised into two groups during their primary schooling i.e. 4-7 and 7-11 years.
Further and higher education
Home to five major universities: Aston University, University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham and Newman University, Birmingham also houses the University of Law and BPP University campuses, along with the Open University's West Midlands regional base. In 2011 Birmingham had 78,259 full-time students aged 18–74 resident in the city during term time, more than any other urban location in the United Kingdom outside London. Birmingham has 32,690 research students, also the highest number of any major city outside London.
Cricket
Edgbaston Cricket Ground, known as the home ground for Warwickshire County Cricket Club, also hosts Test and ODI’s.Next to the Lord's, it is the biggest cricket ground in the whole of United Kingdom. It was at Brian Laa scored 501 not out for Warwickshire in 1994 at this ground.
