a city in West Midlands, Great Britain, in England. Population, 334,800 (1971). A transportation junction and one of the country’s important machine-building centers. Coventry’s manufactures include automobiles, aircraft, machine tools, and electrical equipment. Synthetic fibers are also produced.
Coventry was founded as a monastery in 1043. From the 13th to the 17th centuries it was an important center for trade and crafts. In November 1940 and April 1941 it was subjected to heavy bombing by fascist German aircraft; more than 50,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged. In 1946 reconstruction was begun. The ruins of the 14th-century cathedral have been preserved as a reminder of fascist barbarism. As part of the reconstruction and redesign of Coventry (architects D. Gibson and A. Ling), industrial and residential zones were set apart. A system of housing regions was established, with microregions. Large apartment houses of various heights were built. Other additions include several commons, a belt highway, and a traffic-free shopping area. Civic buildings and a cathedral (1954–62, architect B. Spence) were also built.