The Black Country is truly unique and the vast majority of locals are proud to call it home.
Not only is it steeped in history but it has produced some bostin' fittle and brilliant people.
Here at Black Country Live, we've gone through the alphabet to give you 26 reasons why it's so great.
A - Arboretum Illuminations
Back in the day, this lights spectacular gave Blackpool a run for its money.
Thousands of people used to flock to Walsall Arboretum to see dinosaurs, pirates and even a giant robot in flashing lights
Sadly, the event was scrapped in 2009 but it'll live on in our memories forever.
B - Black Country Living Museum
It's renowned for its famous fish and chips and being the 'home' of the hit TV show Peaky Blinders.
But it's the costumed characters who really bring the much-loved Dudley attraction to life.
It's a school trip staple and a great family day out - it even attracts the odd famous face, like Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Charisma Carpenter.
C - Celebrities
Some of the world's biggest stars were born and raised in the Black Country
The region has produced TV and film stars, sporting champs and comedy geniuses.
Dudley has Lenny Henry, Frank Skinner and Julie Walters hail from Sandwell, Beverley Knight and Liam Payne were raised in Wolverhampton while Noddy Holder is one of Walsall's most famous sons.
You can test your local celebrity knowledge by clicking here to take our quiz.
D - Dudley Eye
It was branded "the worst tourist attraction in the UK" back in 2016 and it was even mocked by Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan, who said there was "no grimmer panorama view than Dudley".
But it was the traders who had the last laugh as the big wheel in Stone Street Square actually attracted 13,500 people to the town centre.
E - Expressions
Black Country folk are well known for their distinctive dialect.
'It’s a bit black over Bill’s mother’s', is a phrase you might hear when it looks like rain while 'keep out th’ossroad' means ‘mind how you go.’
Hands are also referred to as 'donnies', women are affectionately known as 'wenches' and anything brilliant is 'bostin'.
You'll find a lot more classic expressions here.
F - Faggots
Faggots and ‘pays’ is a traditional Black Country dish.
Who knew mincing a mix of pork offal, breadcrumbs, onions and seasoning could be so tasty?
G - Grand Theatre
This is a real gem in Wolverhampton's crown and it celebrated its 125th anniversary in December 2019.
The stage has seen a wealth of touring shows and in house productions but the annual pantomime has become a tradition for many families.
H - Hippo
This iconic concrete sculpture has been making Walsall shoppers smile since 1972.
Known as 'Hoppy', it now has pride of place outside the town's library in Lichfield Street.
I - intu Merry Hill
The shopping centre is also known as 'Merry Hell' - especially the closer we get to Christmas.
But many of us will have spent many happy hours there as kids, enjoying a ride on the monorail, a trip to the Warner Brothers' shop and a McDonald's if we were lucky.
J - J.R.R Tolkien
It's believed the Lord of the Rings author based the trilogy's grim region of Mordor on the Black Country. In fact, ‘Mordor’ even translates as ‘black region’ in Sindarin, the Elven language used in Middle-Earth. Quite a claim to fame.
K - Kings
Many of us watched our first film at West Bromwich's Kings Cinema.
It may be no more, but we still fondly remember the sticky, popcorn covered floors and squeaky seats.
L - Leather Museum
Here you'll find everything you need to know about the achievements of Walsall's craftsmen and women
It's a 'working museum' housed in a restored leather factory brings Walsall's great leather trade to life.
Best of all, it's free.
M - Ma Pardoes
This is the best place to wash down a crusty cheese cob with a pint of one and three.
Officially known as the Old Swan, this pub is famous among real ale drinkers and is one of the few pubs in the West Midlands that still brews its own beer on the premises.
N - New Art Gallery
Culture vultures flock to Walsall town centre to visit this free gallery which has a variety of permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.
You can even take a virtual tour from the comfort of your sofa.
O - Orange chips
Once you go orange, you never go back. Battered chips are legendary.
P - Pork scratchings
Pork scratchings are the perfect pub snack.
The highly-salted, deep-fried pig-skin is just another of the Black Country's greatest delicacies.
Q - Queen Victoria
It's said a young Queen Victoria was once so offended by the sight of the Black Country she closed the curtains in her carriage as she passed through.
She later wrote in her diary 'I cannot by any description give an idea of its strange and extraordinary appearance'. Cheers, bab!
R - Rockers
The Black Country is home to some serious rock legends.
We've got a whole lotta love for Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, who was born in West Bromwich - the same town Judas Priest was formed.
We have Stourbridge to thank for Ned's Atomic Dustbin, while Slade come from the Wolverhampton and Walsall areas of the region.
S - Sandwell Valley
Just look at it - it's beautiful.
It's the ideal place to walk your dog, take in some stunning views and even settle down for a picnic in the sunshine.
T - Teddy Grays
Who hasn't heard of Teddy Grays? The herbal tablets are iconic and the boiled sweets, fudge and rock are pretty decent too.
U - Unfair reputation
The Black Country gets a lot of stick. Outsiders love to mock the accent and make some unfair and downright rude assumptions about the area.
But to us, it's home - and here's some reasons why everyone should love it.
V - Vipers
Did you know there's an American football scene right here in the Black Country?
The Black Country Vipers are based in Dudley and anyone aged between 14 and 19 can join their ranks.
W - Wolves, WBA and Walsall FC
Let's face it, we couldn't just pick one.
X - Xenodochial
Ok, we'll admit it, we're scraping the barrel but this was a hard one. Xenodchial means 'friendly to strangers' and as we're nice folk, it'll do.
Y - Yam Yam
Brummies refer to Black Country folk as Yam Yams because they say ‘yow am’ or ‘yow’m’ (meaning you am, you are).
Z - Zoo
Dudley Zoo is home to some of the world's rarest animals.
Reggie the sloth is one of the most popular residents but there's also tigers, penguins, orangutans, giraffes and lemurs.
Dudley Castle also lies within the grounds and no trip to the zoo is complete without a ride on the chairlift.
