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, West Bromwich, and Walsall. During the 19th century the iron- and steel-producing western portion became known as the Black County, named for the black smoke from its factories. West Midlands was created in 1974 from parts of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. Area, 899 sq km (347 sq mi); population (1991 preliminary) 2,500,400.