Birmingham is an important city in England, located in the West Midlands region. Despite not being the capital, it holds significant importance due to its rich history, cultural diversity, and economic prowess. The city is one of the most populous in England and serves as a major international commercial centre. Birmingham has influenced many cities globally due to its impressive industrial and economic growth. It is famous for its diverse range of architectural styles, from Victorian and Edwardian to modernist and Brutalist, with noteworthy structures including the Bullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and the iconic Selfridges Building.

In the United Kingdom, a census is conducted every 10 years, with the last one occurring in 2011 and the next one scheduled for 2021. According to the 2011 census, Birmingham had a population of 1,073,045. Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in the United Kingdom, with a significant portion of the population being of non-white ethnicity. According to the 2011 census, 53.1% of the population is white, while the rest comprises of various ethnic groups. When it comes to religious beliefs, Birmingham is diverse, with significant proportions of Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus. According to the 2011 census, 46.1% of the population identified as Christian, 21.8% as Muslim, 3% as Sikh, 2.1% as Hindu, and 0.2% as Buddhist. On the other hand, 19.3% of respondents declared that they followed no religion. The city is also linguistically diverse, with residents speaking over 140 languages.

Birmingham City Council is the largest local authority in Europe, providing a wide range of services for residents. The council is composed of 101 councillors, representing 40 wards in the city. The council is responsible for local services such as education, social services, and waste management. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) oversees strategic issues in the wider West Midlands region, including transport, economic development, and regeneration. The WMCA is led by a directly elected mayor.

Birmingham has a diverse and dynamic economy, with a strong focus on the service sector. It is one of the largest centres for finance in the UK outside of London. The city has a Gross Value Added (GVA) of £28.1 billion, making a significant contribution to the UK's total GVA. Birmingham is also home to a thriving manufacturing sector, including the famous Jaguar Land Rover automotive company. The city is a major international commercial centre, ranked as a beta world city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.

Birmingham boasts a comprehensive transport network, with extensive road, rail, and canal systems. The proposed High-Speed 2 (HS2) rail link will further improve connections between Birmingham and other major UK cities. Birmingham Airport is the seventh busiest in the UK. The city also has a strong digital infrastructure, with ongoing investments in high-speed broadband and digital technologies. The city council has put forward ambitious plans for infrastructure development, with a focus on sustainable and smart solutions.