Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Midlands comprises eleven ceremonial counties including Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, and Worcestershire. For statistical purposes officials divide this land into two distinct regions known as the East Midlands and the West Midlands.
The area became important during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries. One part earned the name Black Country due to its industrial significance while Birmingham emerged as the largest city in the region and the second-largest city in the United Kingdom.
In a binary choice the Watford Gap in Northamptonshire often serves as the dividing point between north and south. Most of the Midlands population sits above this geographical marker despite cultural elements from both sides.
William Shakespeare originated from Warwickshire within the Midlands. Various foods have roots here including bakewell tart, Staffordshire oatcake, Melton Mowbray pork pie, and Coventry godcake alongside Stilton cheese and haslet.
Kinder Scout stands as the highest point of the Peak District at 636 meters while Twyn Llech reaches 703 meters making it the highest point in Herefordshire. Shropshire Hills reach heights of 540 meters at Brown Clee Hill.