About Birmingham AL
Birmingham is the most populous city among those found in the state of Alabama, and it currently serves as the county seat of Jefferson County. This city was established in 1871 at the height of the post Civil War re-construction era. This was done by merging 3 pre-existing farm towns, including Elyton. The name Birmingham was picked in honor of the City of Birmingham in Great Britain. At that particular epoch, this city was the 2nd biggest in England, and a noted industrial powerhouse. Birmingham, Alabama went on to annex several smaller towns in the area, and went on to emerge as a key hub for the industrial, railroad and transport sectors in the country.
It is important to note that most of the initial settlers here were of English descent. From its founding up to the mid 20th century, Birmingham marketed itself as a city where cheap non-unionized labor could be obtained. Immigrants and black American men were employed in its steel mills and blast furnaces. This proffered it a significant edge over most unionized cities in the Midwest as well as northeast regions of the country. Until in the 1960s, Birmingham was a key industrial hub in southern states. With iron and steel production been the bulwark of its economy.
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Economy
Although the steel sector is not what it previously used to be in the City of Birmingham’s economy, steel production together with processing are still very important. Leading steel products’ makers including American Cast Iron Pipe Company and McWane carry out their operations from this city. Moreover, some of the US’s biggest steel producers like CMC Steel, U.S Steel along with Nucor maintain a presence in Birmingham. In the last half of the 20th century this city’s economy began to diversify.
Over time, the banking, telecoms, healthcare, electric power transmission and higher education, and insurance industries have taken root here. At the moment, Birmingham ranks high among the biggest banking hubs in the whole nation. In fact, in 2012 it was ranked the #9 biggest banking center in the country. This city is home to a number of prominent banks. This includes Regions Financial Corporation, SouthTrust and BBVA Compass. There are also regional banks headquartered here including Cadence Bank and Superior Bank. Birmingham has a strong insurance sector as well. Some of the most notable firms of this sort headquartered are Blue Cross, Protective Life, Blue Shield of Alabama, Infinity Property & Casual, Liberty National, Pro Assurance.
Top attractions
Without question, Birmingham is the foremost cultural and entertainment center in the entire state of Alabama. To this end, the city boasts a variety of art galleries, world class museums, performing arts centers and other attractions of this kind. It is noteworthy to state that the Birmingham Museum of Art is the biggest of its kind in the whole southeastern region of the United States. The city is also home to some of the state’s major ballet, opera and symphony orchestra companies.
Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo sprawls over a 122 acres parcel of land, and is home to 230 species of wildlife. This zoo is widely acclaimed for being a respected proponent of animal conservation efforts in the country. At this time, the Birmingham Zoo is home to endangered species of wildlife sourced from other 6 continents. Also, one of its newest exhibits is the ‘Trails of Africa’ and it concentrates on the protection of elephants from Africa. Other notable highlights of visiting the Birmingham Zoo include feeding giraffes and even watching the sea lion splash show. With all it has to offer, it is hardly surprising that 500,000 people visit this zoo on an annual basis.
Birmingham Museum of Art
This museum, like it was earlier mentioned, is one of the top attractions in the City of Birmingham. It was first opened to public in the mid 20th century, 1951 to be more specific. The Birmingham Museum of Art boasts of over 26,000 paintings, decorative arts, drawings and prints. These works of art date from the ancient era to the more contemporary varieties. They have also been sourced from all the continents in the planet. One of the most prominent of these is this museum’s Asian works of art collection, which is the biggest of its kind in the entire southeast region. Entry to the Birmingham Museum of Art is absolutely free of charge, apart from when special exhibits are showcased.
McWane Science Center
The McWane Science Center can be ideal place for kids to make science exploration, without even knowing they are doing so. It comprises of 4 levels including a touch pool where visitors can touch sharks together with stingrays. Moreover, there is a complete section that is solely devoted to dinosaurs. There is an IMAX theater, and an onsite cafeteria as well.
Barber Motorsports Park
Here is yet another major attraction of the numerous attractions the City of Birmingham has to offer. In essence, this park is located in a 740 acres piece of land, and is renowned for hosting an annual IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Alabama, ever since 2010. Fans come in droves from all over the country to witness this fascinating event each and every year. The park comes complete with the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum. It boasts of more over 1,450 vintage and contemporary racing cars and even motorcycles. The motorcycle collection is widely acclaimed for being the biggest of its sort on the planet.
Railroad Park
Railroad Park sits of 19 acres parcel of land, with ½ of it been an open lawn. There are 600 trees that have being planted here along with numerous species of flowers. There is an exquisite lake too, which covers 30% of park. The Railroad Park can be excellent area for a quiet jog around its perimeter. It is also provides scenic views of the city from on top of the hill.
Oak Mountain State Park
This is a 9,940 acre Birmingham park, which makes it the biggest state park in Alabama. The Oak Mountain State Park is ideally an outdoor recreational activities’ paradise. It comes complete with 50 miles of hiking and biking trails. Visitors can rent boats, play basketball, golf or use its driving range.
Southern Museum of Flight
The Southern Museum of Flight is a 75, 000 square feet aviation museum, and the biggest of this type in the entire southeastern region of the United States. Its primary mission is to preserve the history of military, civilian together with experimental airplanes. This, of course, cuts across exhibits from the formative years of aviation to those of contemporary years. This Birmingham museum is home to more than 90 airplanes. Not to mention photos, paintings, engines and artifacts. The Southern Museum of Flight also has an Alabama Aviation of Fame, which comes with over 65 plaques that showcase some of the state’s most famous aviators.
Alabama Theater
Situated in the downtown area Birmingham, the Alabama Theater was first opened way back in 1927. Since then, it has being offering all kinds of entertainment including live shows, films and even concerts.
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
The Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve is located on the slopes of Red Mountain. The site was previously an iron ore mine. Nowadays, it is a fascinating 1,000 acre nature preserve that is home to a wide range of plant life and wildlife species. It also comes complete with more than 12 miles of nature trails, which traverse the Red Mountain. These trails can be very ideal for outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, running or even the general exploration of nature.