| On a world map the co-ordinates for the | | | | There are three main rivers flowing |
| city of Birmingham are 52o 28' latitude | | | | through Birmingham; the River Cole which |
| north and longitude 1o 53' west. | | | | flows across the south to north-east of |
| Birmingham is a metropolitan borough of | | | | the city; the River Rea, which flows |
| the West Midlands and a unitary | | | | from the south west into the River Tame |
| authority in its own right. However, it | | | | north of the city centre. The River Tame |
| also still retains historic links with | | | | flows west to east across the city and |
| the counties of; Warwickshire, | | | | eventually flows into the River Trent at |
| Worcestershire and Shropshire to which | | | | Alrewas. None of the rivers passing |
| its suburbs once belonged. The | | | | through Birmingham are navigable by |
| population of Birmingham exceeds 1 | | | | boat. |
| million people making it the second | | | | The climate in Birmingham is typical of |
| largest city in the country; the | | | | England being a temperate one. With most |
| population of the West Midlands | | | | of its weather systems arriving on the |
| conurbation is almost 2,300,000. | | | | prevailing westerly winds, the average |
| Birmingham city covers an area of some | | | | temperature in January is 30C and July |
| 26,700 hectare giving it a population | | | | it is 150C. On average Birmingham |
| density of around 38 per hectare, which | | | | receives less than 750ml of rainfall a |
| is slightly less crowded than many other | | | | year which, being relatively close to |
| major UK cities. | | | | the Welsh hills and mountains, much of |
| Artefacts dating back to Roman and even | | | | the rain being carried by the prevailing |
| the Bronze Age establish that there have | | | | winds is deposited over Wales before |
| been settlements in and around | | | | reaching Birmingham. The average |
| Birmingham for a long time. Before it | | | | expectancy of rain in Birmingham is |
| became a heavily industrialised city | | | | about 175 days a year. The temperature |
| Birmingham would have grown and | | | | in January is lower than might be |
| developed by the aggregation of small | | | | expected for a city in the midland of |
| farming hamlets, probably centred on | | | | England. This is because the city is |
| areas close to the River Rea. The | | | | centrally located in the landmass and so |
| surface geology of Birmingham is | | | | does not benefit from the blanket effect |
| sandstone, mudstone and a pebbly silty | | | | of the North Atlantic Drift. |
| clay that would have been deposited at | | | | House prices in Birmingham vary across |
| the time the glaciers retreated during | | | | the city dependant on the suburb in |
| the ice age. By and large the surface | | | | which they are located. Traditionally |
| geology is rarely more than 10m thick. | | | | the two most expensive areas have been |
| The dominant bedrock in Birmingham is | | | | Edgbaston and Sutton Coldfield. The |
| the red mudstones and sandstones that | | | | suburb of Harbourne is seen as an up and |
| were laid down during the Permian and | | | | coming area for young professionals |
| Triassic eras, roughly 290 to 250 | | | | being close to the city centre, the |
| million years ago. | | | | university and the main Birmingham |
| To the west of the city there are | | | | Hospitals. Houses in Bournville, |
| Carboniferous coal measure deposits and | | | | especially those that are part of the |
| rocks dating back to the Silurian era. | | | | Bournville Village Trust, are also much |
| Of significance here is the area known | | | | sought after. The overall average price |
| as Wrens Nest, Dudley, which is a site | | | | for a house in Birmingham is 155,000 |
| of exceptional importance for Lower | | | | GBP. |
| Silurian limestone. In 2002 Birmingham | | | | The average price of a four bed roomed |
| was hit with the Uks biggest earthquake | | | | detached house is the same as the |
| in a decade, measuring 4.8 on the | | | | national average at 320,000 GBP which is |
| Richter scale the epicentre of it was in | | | | higher than the regional price of |
| Dudley which sits on a major fault line. | | | | 275,000 GBP. A three bed-room |
| Birmingham also sits on a fault line | | | | semi-detached house is 160,000 GBP, |
| running south-west to north east through | | | | below the national average of 185,000 |
| the city. | | | | GBP but some 5% above the regional |
| Once sitting on the northern edge of the | | | | average. A two bed-room terraced house |
| Forest of Arden and surrounded by | | | | in Birmingham typically costs 130,000 |
| woodland, timber was the traditional | | | | GBP, about 7% higher than regionally and |
| building material. With sand and gravel | | | | 10% higher than the national average. At |
| deposits and limestone nearby the use of | | | | over 130,000 GBP for a 2 bed-roomed |
| mortar mixes and concrete was also | | | | flat, Birmingham is around the national |
| common. Ever since they could be mass | | | | average price, but again higher than the |
| produced, bricks and plain baked clay | | | | regional average. |
| tiles have subsequently been used in | | | | Whilst there are 43 major suburbs, the |
| buildings. | | | | city council for Birmingham has 40 |
| Geographically Birmingham sits on the | | | | electoral wards which each return 3 |
| Birmingham Plateau which is generally | | | | councillors. The city is divided into 10 |
| 150 to 200 metres above sea level. | | | | electoral constituencies to return |
| However, the Lickey Hills in the extreme | | | | Members of Parliament. |
| south west of the city rise to 285m. | | | | |