Welcome to “Magic City!” Founded in 1871 where two rail lines crossed near one of the richest mineral deposits in the world, Birmingham, Alabama, earned its nickname from the rapid growth of its iron and steel industry. It lies nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains over 149.5 square miles, with many suburbs and more green space per capita than any other U.S. city its size.

Backed by a 300-year-old history, the coastal city of Mobile, Alabama, serves as the cultural center of the Gulf Coast. The French founded Mobile in 1702 as the first capital of French Louisiana – it was even called the “Paris of the South.” Today, while it’s the oldest city in the state, measuring 180 square miles, it has a relatively young population (median age: 37.3 as of 2022). Its economy is mainly driven by healthcare, manufacturing, aviation and aerospace, and logistics and distribution.