Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton is an industrial, commercial and university city and metropolitan borough in the English West Midlands, traditionally part of the county of Staffordshire. In 2002 the city had a population of 239,358.

Geography

Wolverhampton lies northwest of its larger neighbour Birmingham, and forms the second largest part of the West Midlands conurbation. To the north and west lies the Shropshire and Staffordshire countryside.

Related Topics:
Birmingham - West Midlands conurbation - Shropshire - Staffordshire

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It is the 13th largest town or city in England, although its local authority boundaries are drawn much more tightly than most other authorities, and includes no other towns of major size. As a district, it is 44th largest in England. Unlike most metropolitan authorities, Wolverhampton did not increase its population in the major 1974 reorganisation of local government (which included the creation of Metropolitan counties), as it already exceeded the target population size of 250,000 people. This means that many other authority areas, whilst being traditionally much smaller, show up as 'larger' in most population size listings.

Related Topics:
1974 - Metropolitan counties

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The traditional area associated with the city extends far outside its local authority boundaries, including areas that are currently within Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley metropolitan boroughs, plus areas of South Staffordshire district. In fact, were the boundaries of the former Royal Peculiar (1479–1846) in effect today, Wolverhampton would have a similar population to that of Manchester.

Related Topics:
Walsall - Sandwell - Dudley - South Staffordshire - 1479 - 1846 - Manchester

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Wolverhampton city centre falls outside of the area known as the Black Country, although some districts such as Bilston and Heath Town fall within the Black Country coalfields, leading to confusion as to whether the city itself falls within the region. This confusion is not helped by the names of UK Government regional bodies such as "The Black Country Development Corporation", under whose remit the city falls.

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Districts within the city include Bilston, Wednesfield and Tettenhall, to name just a few (see below). In addition to this, areas within the traditional districts of Willenhall, Coseley and Sedgley are to be found within the city boundaries.

Related Topics:
Bilston - Wednesfield - Tettenhall - Willenhall - Coseley - Sedgley

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