Birmingham is the second largest city of Great Britain and one of the largest industrial centers in the world. Prosperity is based on engineering, steel and automotive industry. But the recent history of "smiths England, Cadbury chocolate, place of birth
of Jaguar and Austin Martin, is full of recurrent economic crises. This impressive International Convention Centre opened in 1991 represents the efforts to revitalize the economy by introducing new industries, such as services.
What surprises first time visitors is the fact that the city sre more trees and open spaces than any other city in Europe.