Divided into two regions as the East Midlands and West Midlands, the Midlands region has a population of 9.7 million.
The West Midlands region is situated in the heart of England and covers an area of 12,998 sq. km from Stoke-on-Trent in the north to Hereford and Evesham in the south, from Shrewsbury in the West to Rugby and Burton-on-Trent in the East. There are several large cities and towns in the region, including Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry.
The East Midlands is a large and diverse region, containing the historic counties of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire and the cities of Nottingham, Lincoln, Derby, Leicester and the county town of Northampton.
Manufacturing is a key part of the economy in both the East and West Midlands, employing more than 460,000 people in the West Midlands and accounting for a significant part of the East Midland’s economic output. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a key driver of economic growth in the West Midlands which consists of more than 3,000 companies employing 57,000 people with a turnover of ?4 billion or 5.4 per cent of the UK’s overall ICT output.
The service sector has expanded; increasing by over 250,000 jobs and now represents nearly 70% of the region’s employment. The West Midlands is a major exporting region, accounting for approximately 8% of the national total by value. It has also proved successful in attracting foreign direct investment – attracting nearly 2000 overseas companies to set up facilities here, with the main centres being Birmingham, Coventry and Telford
The West Midlands is also known as a region of small farms, employing 47,000 people. More than 25% of England's fruit is grown here as well as one in six of the nation's potatoes. Birmingham is the second-largest city in England and is an important business, finance and banking centre in the UK.
The West Midland region is at the centre of the national road and rail networks and the major urban areas in the region are all adjacent to the strategic routes, leading to competing demands between local, regional, national and international movements. It has two airports; in Birmingham and Coventry. 
The region has a comprehensive network of local bus services in and around the major cities and towns of the West Midlands. East Midlands airport is about 21km (13miles) southwest of Nottingham, and handles flights to/from domestic and European destinations. Coaches from Nottingham’s Broadmarsh bus station run to London, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester and Leicester.
Train services run between London’s St Pancras Station, and Leicester, Derby and Nottingham. Destinations within the East Midlands are well served by bus and train connections. A tram system runs from Bulwell (approximately 4.5 miles Northwest of Nottingham) through the centre of town and Hockley to the train station.
Known as the “heart of England”, the Midlands is the place where history meets cosmopolitan, modern life and opens a gateway to the entire United Kingdom; with a spider’s web of major road networks that can take you to the Northern most tip of Scotland to the Southern most tip of England.
The West Midlands is home to five Areas of Outstanding Beauty and part of the Peak District National Park. It offers diverse cultural experiences that include the Ironbridge World Heritage Site in Shropshire and the unique assets of Shakespeare Country in Warwickshire, as well as 32,000 listed buildings and many historic houses, parks and major sporting facilities
Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, the finest mediaeval castle in England, takes you back to 914 and is now, in the 21st century, the most popular tourist destination in the U.K. 
The East Midland's varied environment contributes much to its identity, and to the quality of life of its population. It boasts some significant environmental assets, such as the Peak District National Park and the Lincolnshire Wolds are of outstanding national beauty. The Peak District, especially, provides significant resource for leisure and tourism.
The region contains thriving multicultural cities as well as lush rural landscapes and a varied coastline. Major assets include national sports venues such as Trent Bridge cricket ground, the National Ice Centre and the National Watersports Centre as well as two premiership rugby clubs, five race courses and six motor racing circuits.
Areas of cultural and heritage interest include the historic city of Lincoln with its medieval cathedral and castle, and distinctive Georgian and Tudor architecture, the Peak District National Park, Rutland Water, 10 national nature reserves, four producing theatres, and more than 50 museums as well as national attractions such as the National Space Centre in Leicester. Nottingham East Midlands Airport is a key regional asset. The region also boasts the Derwent Valley world heritage site.
Government Office for the West Midlands
www.go-wm.gov.uk
West Midlands Regional Assembly
www.wmra.gov.uk
Government Office for the East Midlands
www.goem.gov.uk
East Midlands Tourism
www.enjoyenglandseastmidlands.com
Parts of the Midlands experience a summer rainfall maximum, which is a reflection of the higher frequency of thunderstorms in the more central and south-eastern parts of England. The East Midlands region has a cold English climate in general, with higher rainfall in the summer months and few hours of sunshine in winter. The weather in winter tends to be constant.
