Located in the West Midlands, the geographic center of the country, Birmingham was born in the 6th century and was only a small English village. Home to many monuments from the Industrial Revolution and built mostly with buildings from the post-World War II reconstruction, the city bears witness to an 18th century manufacturing powerhouse as well as a painful past. The city offers a multitude of trendy places that make it popular: museums, avant-garde galleries, theaters and stores. There is also a network of canals, most of which start at Sherborne Wharf and lead you to the stylish cafes and bars of the Gas Street Basin. Don't miss the Balti Triangle, home of the UK's renowned Pakistani cuisine, the National Marine Life Centre and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, famous for its Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces. A popular destination for a weekend getaway, Birmingham is a popular destination for many tourists.