Black Country facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Black Country
Region
The Black Country in the 1870s
Flag
Etymology: Effects of industry or coal mining
The metropolitan boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall highlighted within the West Midlands metropolitan county
Area
• Total	138 sq mi (360 km2)
Highest elevation	889 ft (271 m)

The Black Country is a special area in the West Midlands of England. It's located just west of the big city of Birmingham. This region usually includes parts of four main towns: Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.

Why is it Called the Black Country?

The name "Black Country" comes from its history. During the Industrial Revolution, this area was full of factories. There were also many coal mines. The air became dark with smoke and soot from all the industry. This made the buildings and ground look black.

A Land of Coal and Iron

The Black Country sits on a very thick layer of coal. This coal was easy to dig up. It was perfect for fueling the new factories. Iron was also found here. This made the area a hub for making iron and steel.

The Thick Coal Seam

One special feature was the "South Staffordshire Thick Coal Seam." It was a huge layer of coal. In some places, it was over 30 feet thick! This made coal mining very important. It helped power the factories.

Life During the Industrial Revolution

The Black Country was a busy place. Many people moved there for work. They worked in mines and factories. The area became famous for making things. These included chains, nails, and glass.

Busy Canals and Railways

To move all the coal and iron, canals were built. These waterways were like old highways. They connected factories to other towns. Later, railways also became important. They helped transport goods even faster.

Famous Industries

The Black Country was known for specific crafts.

• Chain Making: Many families made chains by hand. This was a very tough job.
• Glass Making: Tall "glass cones" were used to make glass. Some of these old buildings still stand today.
• Ironworks: Huge furnaces melted iron. This iron was used to build bridges and machines.

The Black Country Today

Today, the Black Country is much cleaner. Most of the old factories are gone. But its industrial past is still very important. People are proud of their history.

Preserving History

You can visit the Black Country Living Museum. It's an open-air museum. It shows what life was like long ago. You can see old shops, houses, and even a mine. It helps people understand the area's past.

Black Country Culture

The Black Country has its own unique culture. People from here have a special accent. There's even a Black Country flag and tartan! These show the strong local identity.

Images for kids

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  South Staffordshire in 1911. The Black Country lies to the west and north-west of the city of Birmingham.

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  Mining the thick coal seam at one of the Earl of Dudley's pits in the 1870s

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  The Oak House, West Bromwich. A Yeoman Farmer's house dating from the late 16th or early 17th century, it represents a rare surviving building from the pre-industrial Black Country.

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  A Black Country scene from the 1870s including coal mines, mineral railways, furnaces and factories.

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  An 18th century enamelled snuff box made in Bilston, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

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  The ironworks of W. Barrows and Sons, Tipton. Canals were of crucial importance in the development of Black Country industry.

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  Glass cones where glass was made and worked were once a common sight in Dudley and Stourbridge. This example, now a museum, is situated near Stourbridge

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  Chain making, once a major Black Country industry, as demonstrated at the Black Country Living Museum.

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  A dark seam of coal is clearly visible on the sides of Doultons Clay Pit, in Saltwells Wood to the south of Netherton

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  Black Country Tartan designed in 2008 by Philip Tibbetts from Halesowen

See also

In Spanish: Black Country para niños