# Coventry

> city in the West Midlands in England, UK

**Wikidata**: [Q6225](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6225)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/coventry

## Summary
Coventry is a city located in the West Midlands region of England, United Kingdom, founded in 1043 by Leofric, Earl of Mercia. It is notable for its rich history, including its medieval significance and resilience during World War II, and has been recognized as a symbol of peace and reconciliation through its international twinning relationships. As of 2016, it has a population of 362,690, making it a major urban center in the UK.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1043 by Leofric, Earl of Mercia.
- **Area**: 73.6 square kilometers (2016).
- **Population**: 362,690 (2016), up from 316,900 in 2011.
- **Coordinates**: 52.4167° N, -1.5167° E.
- **Official Language**: English.
- **Twin Towns**: Includes Volgograd (1944), Dresden (1959), and 20+ other cities globally.
- **Historic County**: Warwickshire.
- **Website**: https://www.coventry.gov.uk/.
- **Time Zone**: UTC±00:00 and UTC+01:00.
- **UN/LOCODE**: GBCVT.
- **Notable Landmarks**: Coventry Cathedral, Broadgate, and the Coventry City Council’s coat of arms.

## FAQs
- **Where is Coventry located?**  
  Coventry is situated in the West Midlands, England, UK, with coordinates 52.4167° N, -1.5167° E. It is part of the historic county of Warwickshire.

- **What is Coventry’s population?**  
  As of 2016, the population is 362,690, reflecting growth from 316,900 in 2011 and 189,000 in 1935.

- **Why is Coventry historically significant?**  
  Founded in 1043, it played a key role in medieval England, suffered extensive damage in the 1940 Coventry Blitz, and became a global symbol of peace through its post-war reconciliation efforts.

- **What cities is Coventry twinned with?**  
  Notable twins include Volgograd (1944), Dresden (1959), Lidice (1947), and 20+ others, emphasizing its commitment to international cooperation.

- **What is Coventry’s cultural identity?**  
  It is renowned for the Lady Godiva legend, the Coventry Mystery Plays, and its designation as the UK City of Culture 2021.

## Why It Matters
Coventry holds significance as a city of resilience and peace, rebuilding after WWII devastation to foster international reconciliation through its twinning network. Its medieval heritage, industrial contributions (particularly in automotive manufacturing), and cultural achievements, such as the UK City of Culture 2021 title, underscore its enduring impact on British history and identity. As a hub for education and innovation, Coventry University further amplifies its role in contemporary society.

## Notable For
- **Medieval Legacy**: One of the UK’s oldest cities, with roots tracing to 1043.
- **WWII Resilience**: Targeted in the 1940 Coventry Blitz, leading to the phrase “Coventrated.”
- **Peace Symbolism**: Pioneered post-war reconciliation through twinning with cities like Dresden.
- **Cultural Achievements**: Hosted the 2021 UK City of Culture and home to the Coventry Mystery Plays.
- **Industrial Heritage**: A center for automotive and engineering industries during the 20th century.

## Body

### History
- **Founding**: Established in 1043 by Leofric, Earl of Mercia, with the Lady Godiva legend emerging in the 13th century.
- **Medieval Growth**: Became a major medieval trading center, granted city status in 1345.
- **WWII Impact**: Suffered severe bombing in November 1940 (the Coventry Blitz), destroying 80% of the city center.
- **Modern Rebirth**: Reconstructed post-war, symbolized by the new Coventry Cathedral (consecrated in 1962).

### Geography & Demographics
- **Area**: 73.6 km², with coordinates 52.4167° N, -1.5167° E.
- **Population Trends**: Grew from 189,000 (1935) to 362,690 (2016), reflecting urban expansion.
- **Location**: Situated in the West Midlands, historically part of Warwickshire.

### Governance & International Relations
- **Administration**: Governed by Coventry City Council, led by Lord Mayor John Blundell (since 2018).
- **Twin Towns**: Maintains relationships with 24 cities, including Volgograd (1944), Dresden (1959), and Lidice (1947), promoting peace and cultural exchange.

### Culture & Economy
- **Landmarks**: Coventry Cathedral, Broadgate, and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.
- **Economy**: Historically driven by automotive and engineering industries; now a hub for education (Coventry University) and healthcare.
- **Cultural Recognition**: Designated UK City of Culture 2021, celebrating its history and diversity.

### Infrastructure & Transportation
- **Transport Links**: Served by Coventry Railway Station and the M6 motorway.
- **Postal Code**: CV prefix, with local dialing code 024.

### Education & Innovation
- **Education**: Home to Coventry University, a leading modern research institution.
- **Innovation**: A center for automotive and aerospace engineering, with ties to the nearby University of Warwick.

### Global Recognition
- **UNESCO Status**: Part of the UK’s UNESCO Memory of the World Register for its WWII history.
- **International Archives**: Documented in encyclopedias worldwide, including the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia* and *Encyclopædia Britannica*.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/130/lord_mayor/106/lord_mayor_of_coventry/1)
2. archINFORM
3. [Source](http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/west_midlands.html)
4. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6224/volgograd_russia/category/732/europe)
5. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/222/twin_towns_and_cities)
6. [Source](https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/stadtportrait/europa/partner/coventry.php)
7. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6210/dresden_germany/category/732/europe)
8. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6219/lidice_czech_republic/category/732/europe)
9. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6213/granby_canada/category/733/north_america)
10. [Source](https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2870342)
11. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6212/galati_romania/category/732/europe)
12. [Source](https://www.kiel.de/de/kiel_zukunft/kiel_international/coventry.php)
13. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6217/kiel_germany/category/732/europe)
14. [Source](https://www.ostrava.cz/cs/o-meste/mezinarodni-vztahy)
15. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6220/ostrava_czech_republic/category/732/europe)
16. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6223/sarajevo_bosnia_and_herzegovina/category/732/europe)
17. [Source](https://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10021739/7771992/Coventry.html)
18. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6214/graz_austria/category/732/europe)
19. [Source](https://www.graz.at/cms/ziel/7771992/DE/)
20. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/49240/graz-austria)
21. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory/25/coventry-s-twin-towns-and-cities/category/732)
22. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6218/kingston_jamaica/category/733/north_america)
23. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6205/cork_ireland/category/732/europe)
24. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6204/caen_france/category/732/europe)
25. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6222/saint-etienne_france)
26. [Source](https://www.saint-etienne.fr/sites/default/files/Les%20jumelages.pdf)
27. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6216/kecskemét_hungary/category/732/europe)
28. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6226/windsor_ontario_canada/category/733/north_america)
29. [Source](https://www.citywindsor.ca/cityhall/committeesofcouncil/Advisory-Committees/International-Relations-Committee-(IRC)/Pages/Our-Twin-Cities.aspx)
30. [Source](https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/volgograd-stalingrad-coventry-twin-3038605)
31. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6209/coventry_rhode_island_usa/category/733/north_america)
32. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6201/arnhem_netherlands/category/732/europe)
33. [Source](http://www.beograd.rs/index.php?lang=cir&kat=beoinfo&sub=1225698%3f)
34. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6202/belgrade_serbia/category/732/europe)
35. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6203/bologna_italy/category/732/europe)
36. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6206/cornwall_canada/category/733/north_america)
37. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6207/coventry_connecticut_usa/category/733/north_america)
38. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6208/coventry_new_york_state_usa/category/733/north_america)
39. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6211/dunaujvaros_hungary/category/732/europe)
40. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6215/jinan_china/category/734/asia)
41. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6221/parkes_new_south_wales_australia/category/735/australia)
42. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6225/warsaw_poland/category/732/europe)
43. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
44. MusicBrainz
45. [Source](http://www.citypopulation.de/php/uk-england-westmidlands.php?cityid=E35001376)
46. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
47. [Great Russian Encyclopedia](https://old.bigenc.ru/geography/text/2076724)
48. Great dictionary of geographical names
49. [Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947)](https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/БСЭ1/Ковентри)
50. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0