Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county
of West Midlands in England. With a population of 303,475
at the 2001 Census (306,000 est. 2007), Coventry is
the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest
in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest
city after Birmingham in the English Midlands by population,
although both Nottingham and Leicester have larger urban
areas.
Coventry
is situated 95 miles (153 km) northwest of London and
19 miles (30 km) east of Birmingham, and is notable
for being further inland from the coast than any other
city in Britain. Although harbouring a population of
almost a third of a million inhabitants, Coventry is
not amongst the English Core Cities Group due to its
proximity to Birmingham.
Coventry
was also the world's first 'twin city' when it formed
a twinning relationship with the Russian city of Stalingrad
(now Volgograd) during World War II. The city is also
subsequently twinned with Dresden, as a gesture of peace
and reconciliation, and 27 others around the world.
Coventry
Cathedral is notable for being one of the newest cathedrals
in the world, having been built following the World
War II bombing of the ancient cathedral by the Luftwaffe.
Coventry has since developed an international reputation
as one of Europe's major cities of peace and reconciliation,
centred around its Cathedral, and holds an annual Peace
Month. Coventry is also notable because Coventry motor
companies have contributed significantly to the British
motor industry, and also because it has two universities,
the city centre-based Coventry University and the University
of Warwick on the southern outskirts. Coventry is also
famous for the legendary 11th century exploits of Lady
Godiva. Their football team is Coventry City F.C. who
are in the Coca-Cola Championship and were founded in
1883.
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