Things you didn't know about... Birmingham

Birmingham gets the Bronze medal...
The Birmingham area has been populated since the Bronze Age, some 4,000 years ago. It wasn't until the 12th century that the small farm settlements developed into a market town. Local landowner, Peter de Birmingham, obtained a charter to hold a market, known as the Bull Ring, in 1154. Today, the Bull Ring shopping centre stills stands at the heart of the city.

We'll always have Paris, but check out Birmingham
As the city expanded, a system of canals was built to cope with the increase in traffic. Today Birmingham has 35 miles of canals compared to Venice's 26 miles. And despite being labelled an industrial city, it's claimed that Birmingham has more trees than Paris.

Birmingham drivers dread spaghetti
Birmingham's much-scorned Gravelly Hill Interchange, better known as Spaghetti Junction, carries 140,000 vehicles every day. In 1972, the figure was just 40,000.

No shock horror for Birmingham's symphony hall
Birmingham's Symphony Hall was built in 1991. It sits on 2,000 rubber shock absorbers, which help to make it one of the world's most acoustically perfect buildings. In 2001, a huge organ was installed. At 19 m (65 ft) tall, it weighs over 30 tonnes, and has 6,000 individual pipes.

Built by hand
The city's newest public square, Centenary Square, is made up of more than half a million bricks. Each one was hand-laid.

Diamond geezers and the wheel deal
Although Birmingham is best known for its car manufacturing industry, it is also home to some of the UK's most prolific jewellery makers. The city's Jewellery Quarter is responsible for producing half of all the jewellery made in the UK.

Why Birmingham is over the moon
Birmingham has proved to be a popular name—there are 30 other Birminghams around the world and even a crater on the moon is named after the West Midlands city.

Birmingham rocks
Many bands have cut their teeth in the city's pubs and music venues. Black Sabbath, The Beat, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Duran Duran, The Moody Blues, UB40, Ocean Colour Scene, Joan Armatrading and Steve Winwood all hail from Birmingham.

Birmingham curries favour with chocaholics
The city is renowned for its curries, and no wonder—the balti was invented in Birmingham. George Cadbury began making chocolate in the city in 1824, while the oldest pub is the Old Crown in Deritend, which has been serving ale since 1450.

Birmingham footballers used to bat off a sticky wicket
Birmingham City Football Club was once known as the Small Heath Alliance. They started life as a cricket team before turning to football in 1875.