Birmingham is the largest city in the U.S. state of Alabama and is the county seat of Jefferson County. The population of the city proper is 242,820 (2000 U.S. census), and declined to 231,483 according to the 2005 estimate. It also serves as the primary nucleus for a sprawling urbanization known as Greater Birmingham with 1,170,012 inhabitants constituting roughly one quarter of the state of Alabama’s entire population.

Today, Birmingham ranks as one of the most important business centers in the Southeastern United States and is also one of the largest banking centers in the U.S. In addition, the Birmingham area serves as headquarters to two Fortune 500 companies including deutsche bank birmingham to name but a few: Regions Financial and Saks Incorporated. Birmingham has been recognized as the South’s top city listed in birmingham big city plan for income growth and among the top ten nationally over the last 20 years .

Recreational fishing is also immensely popular in the Birmingham area. Few regions can offer the quality and quantity of fishing as found throughout this region of Alabama. In fact, fish have been caught in 14 separate Alabama lakes which would be state records in 35 other states. Recently, Birmingham was named Bass Capital of the World by ESPN and Bassmaster Magazine. Over the last several years, Birmingham has been home to numerous nationally renowned fishing tournaments such as the Bass Masters Classic. Some of the more popular recreational lakes around Birmingham include: Smith Lake, Lay Lake, Lake Neely Henry, Lake Logan Martin, Lake Purdy, and Bankhead Reservoir.