West Midlands

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The West Midlands region is situated in the heart of England and covers an area of 12,998 sq. km from Stoke-on-Trent in the north to Hereford and Evesham in the south, from Shrewsbury in the West to Rugby and Burton-on-Trent in the East. There are several large cities and towns in the region, including Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry.

The West Midlands region accounts for a population of 5.27 million (9% of the UK total). More than half of the region’s population live in large conurbation areas, while over 2 million reside in the region’s rural counties, which cover three-quarters of the region’s area.

The West Midlands is home to five Areas of Outstanding Beauty and part of the Peak District National Park. It offers diverse cultural experiences that include the Ironbridge World Heritage Site in Shropshire and the unique assets of Shakespeare Country in Warwickshire, as well as 32,000 listed buildings and many historic houses, parks and major sporting facilities.

Despite a recent decline, manufacturing remains an important element in the economy, accounting for 20.4% of all regional employment. The service sector has expanded; increasing by over 250,000 jobs and now represents nearly 70% of the region’s employment. The West Midlands is a major exporting region, accounting for approximately 8% of the national total by value. It has also proved successful in attracting foreign direct investment – attracting nearly 2000 overseas companies to set up facilities here, with the main centres being Birmingham, Coventry and Telford.

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Places to Visit in West Midlands

» Birmingham » Wolverhampton

» Coventry

» Stoke-on-Trent