Birmingham, Alabama, is the state's largest metropolitan area and a major hub in the Deep South, founded in 1871 and nicknamed the "Magic City" for its rapid industrial growth driven by nearby deposits of iron ore, coal, and limestone. It earned the title "Pittsburgh of the South" for its historical role as a key iron and steel production center. Today it serves as a leading regional center for healthcare, medical research, notably through the University of Alabama at Birmingham, education, banking, and culture, while also preserving its pivotal legacy in the American civil rights movement.