West Midlands

West Midlands, metropolitan county, central England; Birmingham is the administrative center. West Midlands comprises a largely urbanized lowland area that is known for its diversified industry. The county is dominated by the city of Birmingham; other major industrial centers are Coventry, Dudley, Wolverhampton, and Walsall. During the 19th century the iron- and steel-producing western portion became known as the Black Country, named for the black smoke from its factories. West Midlands was created in 1974 from parts of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.