Indianapolis, Indiana

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Indianapolis


settlement_type = City
nickname = Indy, The Circle City, The Crossroads of America, The Racing Capital of the World, Amateur Sports Capital of the World, Railroad City, Naptown, Capital City
imagesize =
image_caption =

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image_

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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in the state of Indiana


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Indiana
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Marion
government_type = Mayor-council
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Gregory A. Ballard (R)
leader_title1 = Governing body
leader_name1 = City-County Council
established_title = Founded
established_date = 1821
area_note =
area_magnitude = 1 E8
unit_pref = Imperial
area_total_sq_mi = 372
area_total_km2 = 963.5
area_land_sq_mi = 365.1
area_land_km2 = 945.6
area_water_sq_mi = 6.9
area_water_km2 = 17.9
population_urban = 1,219,000
population_as_of = 2007
population_metro = 2,014,267 (2006 CSA est.)
population_total = 795,458 (13th)
population_density_sq_mi = 2,152
population_density_km2 = 837
population_footnotes = cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2007/cb07-91table1.pdf|title=Population Estimates for the 25 Largest U.S. Cities based on July 1, 2006 Population Estimates|publisher=US Census Bureau|accessdate=2007-06-28|format=PDF]
elevation_m = 218
elevation_ft = 715
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code = 317
latd = 39 |latm = 46 |lats = 5.88 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 9 |longs = 29.52 |longEW = W
website = [http://www.indygov.org/ indygov.org]
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 18-36003GR|2
footnotes = |

Indianapolis (pronEng|ˌɪndiəˈnæpəlɪs) is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. The United States Census estimates the city's population (excluding included towns) at 795,458. It is by far Indiana's largest city and is the 13th largest city in the U.S.,the third largest city in the Midwest, and the second most populous state capital (behind Phoenix, Arizona).

For much of its history, Indianapolis oriented itself around government and industry, particularly manufacturing. Today, Indianapolis has a much more diversified economy, contributing to the fields of education, healthcare, and finance. Tourism is also a vital part of the economy of Indianapolis, and the city plays host to numerous conventions and sporting events. Of these, perhaps most well known is the annual Indianapolis 500 race. Other major sporting events include the Allstate 400 and the Men's and Women's NCAA Basketball Tournaments.

Greater Indianapolis has seen moderate growth among U.S. citiescite web | url = http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/Estimates%20pages_final.html | title = U.S. Census Figures | publisher = United States Census| date = 2006 | accessdate = 2008-01-16] , especially in nearby Hamilton, Hendricks, and Johnson counties. [ [http://www.epodunk.com/top10/countyPop/coPop15.html Counties in Indiana] ] The population of the combined statistical area is estimated at 2,014,267, making it the 23rd-largest CSA in the U.S.

History

Indianapolis was selected as the site of the new state capital in 1820. Jeremiah Sullivan, a judge of the Indiana Supreme Court, invented the name "Indianapolis" by joining "Indiana" with "polis", the Greek word for "city"; literally, Indianapolis means "Indiana City". The city was founded on the White River under the incorrect assumption that the river would serve as a major transportation artery; however, the waterway was too sandy for trade. The capital moved from Corydon on January 10, 1825 and the state commissioned Alexander Ralston to design the new capital city. Ralston was an apprentice to the French architect Pierre L'Enfant, and he helped L'Enfant plan Washington, DC. Ralston's original plan for Indianapolis called for a city of only one square mile (3 km²). At the center of the city sat Governor's Circle, a large circular commons, which was to be the site of the governor's mansion. Meridian and Market Streets converge at the Circle and continue north and south and east and west, respectively. The governor's mansion was eventually demolished in 1857 and in its place stands a convert|284|ft|m|0|sing=on tall neoclassical limestone and bronze monument, the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. The surrounding street is now known as "Monument Circle".

The city lies on the original east-west National Road. The first railroad to service Indianapolis, the Madison & Indianapolis, began operation on October 1, 1847, and subsequent railroad connections made expansive growth possible. Indianapolis was the home of the first Union Station, or common rail passenger terminal, in the United States. By the turn of the century, Indianapolis had become a large automobile manufacturer, rivaling the likes of Detroit. With roads leading out of the city in all directions, Indianapolis became a major hub of regional transport connecting to Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Cleveland and St. Louis, befitting the capital of a state whose motto is "The Crossroads of America." This same network of roads would allow quick and easy access to suburban areas in future years.

City population grew rapidly throughout the first half of the 20th century. While rapid suburbanization began to take place in the second half of the century, race relations deteriorated. Even so, on the night that Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, Indianapolis was the only major city in which rioting did not occur [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89365887] . Many credit the speech by Robert F. Kennedy, who was in town campaigning for President that night, for helping to calm the tensions. Racial tensions heightened in 1970 with the passage of Unigov, which further isolated the middle class from Indianapolis's growing African American community. Court-ordered school desegregation busing by Judge S. Hugh Dillon was also a controversial change.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Indianapolis suffered at the hands of urban decay and white flight. Major revitalization of the city's blighted areas, such as Fall Creek Place, and especially the downtown, began in the 1990s and led to an acceleration of growth on the fringes of the metropolitan Area. The opening of Circle Centre in downtown Indianapolis jumpstarted a major revitalization of the central business district.

Indianapolis's future appears bright as the city continues to invest heavily in improvement projects, such as an expansion to the Convention Center, upgrading of the I-465 beltway and an entirely new airport terminal for the Indianapolis International Airport, expected to open on November 11, 2008.cite web | url = http://www.wishtv.com/global/story.asp?s=6707164 | title = Indiana Convention Center Expansion Revealed | publisher = WISH-TV| date = 2007-06-25 | accessdate = 2008-01-16] Construction of the Indianapolis Colts' new home, Lucas Oil Stadium was completed in August 2008, and the proposed hotel and convention center will expansion is expected to open within the next three years.

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, "the balance" (that part of Marion County not part of another municipality) has a total area of 368.2 square miles (953.5 km²)—361.5 square miles (936.2 km²) of it is land and 6.7 square miles (17.3 km²) of it is water. The total area is 1.81% water. These figures do not, however, represent the entire Consolidated City of Indianapolis (all of Marion County, except the four excluded communities). The total area of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis, not including the four excluded communities, covers approximately 373.1 square miles (966.3 km²).

At the center of Indianapolis is the One-Mile Square, bounded by four appropriately-named streets: East, West, North, and South Streets. Nearly all of the streets in the Mile Square are named after U.S. states. The exceptions are Meridian Street, which numerically divides west from east; Market Street, which intersects Meridian Street at Monument Circle; Capitol and Senate Avenues, where many of the Indiana state government buildings are located; and Washington Street, which was named after President George Washington. The street-numbering system centers not on the Circle, but rather one block to the south, where Meridian Street intersects Washington Street — National Road.

Indianapolis is situated in the Central Till Plains region of the United States. Two natural waterways dissect the city: the White River, and Fall Creek.

Physically, Indianapolis is similar to many other Midwestern cities. A mix of deciduous forests and prairie covered much of what is considered Indianapolis prior to the 19th century. Land within the city limits varies from flat to gently sloping; most of the changes in elevation are so gradual that they go unnoticed, and appears to be flat from close distances. The mean elevation for Indianapolis is convert|717|ft|m|0. The highest point in Indianapolis lies at Crown Hill Cemetery atop Strawberry Hill (the tomb of famed Hoosier writer James Whitcomb Riley) with an elevation of convert|842|ft|m|0, and the lowest point in Indianapolis lies at the Marion County/Johnson County line, with an elevation of about convert|680|ft|m|0. The highest hill in Indianapolis is Mann Hill, a bluff located along the White River in Southwestway Park that rises about convert|150|ft|m|0 above the surrounding land. Variations in elevation from 700-900 feet occur throughout the city limits. There are a few moderately-sized bluffs and valleys in the city, particularly along the shores of the White River, Fall Creek, Geist Reservoir, and Eagle Creek Reservoir, and especially on the city's northeast and northwest sides.

Indianapolis has a humid continental climate (Koppen climate classification "Dfa"). Like most cities in the Midwest, it has four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with high temperatures approaching 90 °F (32 °C), with some days approaching or exceeding 100 °F (38 °C). Spring and autumn are usually pleasant, with temperatures reaching around 65 °F (18 °C). Spring, however, is much less predictable than autumn; midday temperature drops exceeding 30 °F (17 °C) are common during March and April, and instances of very warm days (86 °F; 30 °C) followed within 36 hours by snowfall not unheard of during these months. Winters are cool to cold, with daily highs barely inching above freezing. Temperatures occasionally fall below 0 °F (-18 °C). The rainiest months are in the spring and summer, with average rainfalls of over four inches (102 mm) per month, but these averages fluctuate only slightly throughout the year.

The city's average annual precipitation is 41 inches (1,040 mm).

The average July high is 85.6 °F (29.8 °C), with the low being 65.2 °F (18.4 °C). January highs average 34.5 °F (1.4 °C), and lows 18.5 °F (-7.5 °C). The record high for Indianapolis is 107 °F (42 °C), on July 25th, 1954. The record low is -27 °F (-33 °C), on January 19th, 1994. Average annual snowfall is convert|27|in|cm [ [http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ind/print_localdata.php?loc=txtdat&data=climatenormals.txt NWS Indianapolis, IN ] ] .

Higher education

Indianapolis is the home of (in alphabetical order): Brown Mackie College, Butler University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indiana Wesleyan University, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Marian College, Martin University, Oakland City University (Indianapolis) Indianapolis campus, The Art Institute of Indianapolis, and the University of Indianapolis.

Brown Mackie College is new to the area.

Butler University was originally founded in 1855 as North Western Christian University. The school purchased land in the Irvington area in 1875. The school moved again in 1928 to its current location in at the edge of Butler-Tarkington. The school removed itself officially from religious affiliation, giving up the theological school to Christian Theological Seminary. A private institution, Butler's current student enrollment is approximately 4,400.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis was originally an urban conglomeration of branch campuses of the two major state universities: Indiana University in Bloomington and Purdue University in West Lafayette, created by the state legislature. In 1969 a merged campus was created at the site of the Indiana University School of Medicine. IUPUI's student body is currently just under 30,000, making it the third-largest institute of higher learning in Indiana after the main campuses of IU and Purdue. This campus is also home to Herron School of Art and Design, which was established privately in 1902. A new building was built in 2005 under both private donation and state contribution enabling the school to move from its original location.

Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, a state funded public school, was founded as Indiana Vocational Technical College in 1963. With 23 campuses across Indiana, Ivy Tech has a total enrollment of just over 70,300, with just over 12,000 attending campuses in the Indianapolis area.

Marian College was founded in 1936 when St. Francis Normal and Immaculate Conception Junior College merged. The college moved to Indianapolis in 1937. Marian is currently a private Catholic school and has an enrollment of approximately 1,800 students.

The University of Indianapolis is a private school affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1902 as Indiana Central University, the school currently hosts almost 4,300 students.

Primary and secondary education

Indianapolis has eleven unified public school districts (eight township educational authorities and three legacy districts from before the unification of city and county government) each of which provides primary, secondary, and adult education services within its boundaries. The boundaries of these districts do not exactly correspond to township (or traditional) boundaries, but rather cover the areas of their townships that were outside the pre-consolidation city limits. Indianapolis Public Schools served all of Indianapolis prior to 1970, when almost all of Marion County was incorporated, and is still the city's largest school corporation today.

Libraries

Public library services are provided to the citizens of Indianapolis and Marion County by the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library (IMCPL). The educational and cultural institution, founded in 1873, now consists of a main library, Central Library, located in downtown Indianapolis and 22 branch locations spread throughout the city. Serving over 5.43 million visitors in 2006, IMCPL's mission is to provide "materials and programs in support of the lifelong learning, recreational and economic interests of all citizens of Marion County." A renovated Central Library building opened on December 9, 2007, ending a controversial multi-year rebuilding plan. [http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712220380 Storybook Ending?] , Indianapolis Star. Accessed December 22, 2007.]

Cultural features

Indianapolis prides itself on its rich cultural heritage. Several initiatives have been made by the Indianapolis government in recent years to increase Indianapolis's appeal as a destination for arts and culture.

Cultural Districts

Indianapolis has designated six official Cultural Districts. They are Broad Ripple Village, Massachusetts Avenue, Fountain Square, The Wholesale District, Canal and White River State Park, and Indiana Avenue. These areas have held historic and cultural importance to the city. In recent years they have been revitalized and are becoming major centers for tourism, commerce and residential living.

Monument Circle

At the center of Indianapolis is Monument Circle, a traffic circle at the intersection of Meridian and Market Streets, featuring the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. (Monument Circle is depicted on the city’s flag, and is generally considered the city’s symbol). Monument Circle is in the shadow of Indiana's tallest skyscraper, the Chase Tower. Until the early 1960s, Indianapolis zoning laws stated that no building could be taller than the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Each Christmas season, local electricians string lights onto the monument. It is lit for the holiday season in a ceremony known as the "Circle of Lights," which attracts tens of thousands of Hoosiers to downtown Indianapolis on the day after Thanksgiving.

War Memorial Plaza

A five-block plaza at the intersection of Meridian and Vermont surrounds a large memorial dedicated to Hoosiers who have fought in American wars. It was originally constructed to honor the Indiana soldiers who died in World War I, but construction was halted due to lack of funding during the Great Depression, and it was finished in 1951. The purpose of the memorial was later altered to encompass all American wars in which Hoosiers fought.

The monument is modeled after the Mausoleum of Maussollos. At 210 feet (64 m) tall it is approximately seventy-five feet taller than the original Mausoleum. The blue lights, which shine between columns on the side of the War Memorial, make the monument easy to spot. On the north end of the War Memorial Plaza is the national headquarters of the American Legion and the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's Central Library.

Indiana Statehouse

The Statehouse houses the Indiana General Assembly, the Governor of Indiana, state courts, and other state officials.

Monuments

The city is second only to Washington, D.C., for number of monuments inside city limits. [cite web | url = http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/NEWS/80605055 | title = Marine training in Indy stirs concerns | publisher = Indianapolis Star| date = 2008-06-03 | accessdate = 2008-06-05] There have been two United States Navy vessels named after Indianapolis, including the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) which suffered the worst single at-sea loss of life in the history of the U.S. Navy.

Festivals, conventions, and organizations

Indianapolis has evolved into somewhat of a center for music. The city plays host to Drum Corps International, Music for All, Inergy, Indy's Official Musical Ambassadors, the Percussive Arts Society, the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, the American Pianists' Association and Indy Jazz Festival. [ [http://halftimemag.com/articles/07-2008/07-2008-features/indianapolis.html Indianapolis: The Center for the Music Arts?] , Halftime Magazine. Accessed on July 24, 2008]

Beginning in 1999 the city became host to the annual Indy Jazz Festival. The festival is a three day event held in Military Park near the canal. Past stars include: B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Hornsby, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Kool and the Gang, Ray Charles, The Temptations, Dave Brubeck, Emmylou Harris, Chris Isaak, Jonny Lang, Norah Jones and regional and local favorites.

Every May Indianapolis holds the 500 Festival, a month of events culminating in the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade the day before the running of the Indianapolis 500. The Festival was first held in 1957.

The Circle City Classic is one of America’s top historically African-American college football games. This annual football game, held during the first weekend of October, is the showcase event of an entire weekend. The weekend is a celebration of cultural excellence and educational achievement while showcasing the spirit, energy and tradition of America’s historically black colleges and universities.

In 2003, Indianapolis began hosting Gen Con, the largest role-playing game convention in the nation (record attendance thus far being numbered in excess of 30,000), at the Indiana Convention Center. Future expansion of the convention space is expected by many to further increase attendance numbers in coming years. The convention center has also recently played host to such events as Star Wars Celebration II and "III", which brought in Star Wars fans from around the world, including George Lucas. From October 25 to 28, 2006, the convention center was home to the 79th national Future Farmers of America convention, bringing around 50,000 visitors in from around the country. It will also host it every year up to 2012. [http://www.ffa.org/indymove/index.htm accessed on October 23, 2006]

Indianapolis is also home to the Indiana State Fair as well as the Heartland Film Festival, Epilogue Players, the Indianapolis International Film Festival, the Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, the Indianapolis Alternative Media Festival, the Midwest Music Summit and the Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival.

Indianapolis is home to Bands of America (BOA), a nationwide organization of high school marching, concert, and jazz bands, and hosts several BOA events annually. Indianapolis is now also the international headquarters of Drum Corps International, a professional drum and bugle corps association, and beginning in 2008 will host the DCI World Championships in the new Lucas Oil Stadium.

Indianapolis has been the headquarters of the Kiwanis International organization since 1982. The organization and its youth-sponsored Kiwanis Family counterparts, Circle K International and Key Club International, administer all their international business and service initiatives from Indianapolis.

The [http://www.in.gov/iwc/ Indy International Wine Competition] , the largest U.S. wine competition outside of California, is held in Indianapolis every July at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Several beer festivals are held in Indianapolis, the most notable of which is the annual Indiana Microbrewers Festival held in Optimist Park in Broad_Ripple

The city has a vibrant arts community that includes many fairs celebrating a wide variety of arts and crafts during the summer months. They include the [http://www.indplsartcenter.org/register/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=38&CFID=1279609&CFTOKEN=da58a00aac594cd2-CF9D2A04-AB8B-5930-6EAE164AA4C5E696 Broad Ripple Art Fair] , [http://www.herron-morton.org/artFair.html Talbot Street Art Fair] , [http://www.carmelartsfestival.org/ Carmel Arts Festival] and the [http://www.penrod.org/artsfair.html Penrod Art Fair]

Indianapolis contains the national headquarters for twenty-six fraternities and sororities. Many are congregated in the College Park area surrounding The Pyramids.

Indianapolis is the headquarters for all three international Jewish fraternities, Zeta Beta Tau, Alpha Epsilon Pi, and Sigma Alpha Mu. [http://www.zbt.org/zbt/ zbt.org] , [http://www.aepi.org/site/pp.asp?c=geJQIUOwErH&b=2116949 aepi.org] , [http://www.sam.org/ sam.org] .

Ethnic and cultural heritage festivals

One of the largest ethnic and cultural heritage festivals in Indianapolis is the Summer Celebration held by Indiana Black Expo. This ten-day national event highlights the contributions of African-Americans to U.S. society and culture and provides educational, entertainment, and networking opportunities to the over 300,000 participants from around the country.

Indy's International Festival is held annually in November at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Local ethnic groups, vendors and performers are featured alongside national and international performers.

Other local festivals include:
*Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church hosts the Indy Greek Festival the Friday and Saturday after Labor Day in September.
*The Indy Irish Festival is an annual event in the middle of every September.
*The Indy Pride Festival takes place every June.
*The Italian Street Festival is held annually in early June at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
*The Fiesta Indianapolis is held annually in September by [http://www.laplaza-indy.org/index.asp?p=50 La Plaza] at the American Legion Mall and Veterans Memorial Park.
*The German Fest is an annual event held in October at the [http://www.rathskeller.com/ Rathskeller in the Athenaeum Building] .
*The Middle Eastern Festival of Indianapolis takes place annually in July at St. George Orthodox Christian Church.
*The [http://www.st-nicholas-indy.org/ St. Nicholas Serbian Church] hosts many Eastern European cultural events.

ports

The labels of "The Amateur Sports Capital of the World", and "The Racing Capital of the World", have both been applied to Indianapolis. [cite web | url = http://www.indychamber.com/sportsrec.asp | title = About Indianapolis, Sports and Recreation | publisher = Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce | date = 2008-06-11 | accessdate = 2008-06-11]

Indianapolis is home to the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL, the Indiana Pacers of the NBA, the Indiana Fever of the WNBA, the Indianapolis Indians of the IL, the Indiana Ice of the USHL, and the Indianapolis Trax of the MWHL.

In addition, the headquarters of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the main governing body for U.S. collegiate sports, is located in Indianapolis, as is the National Federation of State High School Associations. Indianapolis is also home to the national offices of USA Gymnastics, USA Diving, US Synchronized Swimming, and USA Track & Field.

The city has hosted the Men's and Women's NCAA Final Fours (the semifinals and final of the NCAA basketball tournament) several times, and as of 2006 the NCAA is scheduled to hold the Women's Final Four in Indianapolis at least once every five years. Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will host the Big Ten Tournament for five straight years (beginning in 2008) after it won the Big Ten bid over Chicago and the United Center.

Indianapolis also hosts the Indianapolis Tennis Championships, one of the many tournaments which are part of the US Open series.

IMS hosts two major races every year, the Indianapolis 500 and the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Starting in 2008, the MotoGP Motorcycle series will host a weekend at the speedway for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. The city was awarded the rights to host Super Bowl XLVI on May 20, 2008. Indianapolis hosted the Pan American Games in 1987 and the 2002 World Basketball Championships.

The Indianapolis Daredevils were a professional soccer team based in the city from 1978-79 and played in the ASL, the second tier of American soccer.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), located in Speedway, Indiana, is the site of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race (also known as the Indy 500), an open-wheel automobile race held each Memorial Day weekend on a 2.5 mile (4 km) oval track. The Indy 500 is the largest single-day sporting event in the world, hosting more than 257,000 permanent seats (not including the infield area). The track is often referred to as the Brickyard, as it was paved with 3.2 million bricks shortly after its construction in 1909. Today the track is paved in asphalt although a section of bricks remains at the start/finish line.

IMS also hosts the NASCAR Allstate 400 at the Brickyard (originally the "Brickyard 400"). The first running of the Brickyard 400 was in 1994, and is currently NASCAR's highest attended event.

From 2000 to 2007, IMS hosted the Formula One United States Grand Prix (USGP). Contract negotiations between the IMS and Formula One resulted in a discontinuation of the USGP at Indianapolis (at least for the foreseeable future). Formula One has not scheduled a USGP venue for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

The Speedway hosted its first MotoGP, with the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix taking place in September 2008.

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

Indianapolis is home to the largest mini-marathon (and eighth-largest running event) in America. 2007 was the 30th anniversary of the Mini, and run in the first weekend in May every year. This event is part of the 500 Festival, its 50th year running. The race starts on Washington Street just off Monument Circle and ends on New York Street back downtown. The Mini has been sold out every year, with well over 35,000 runners participating.

Recreation

Parks

Indianapolis has an extensive municipal park system with nearly 200 parks occupying over 10,000 acres (40 km²). The flagship Eagle Creek Park is the largest municipal park in the city, and ranks among the largest urban parks in the United States. [ [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DPR/Parks/List/Eagle+Creek+Park.htm Indianapolis Parks] ]

Other major Indianapolis Regional parks include:

* Garfield Park (established in 1881 and the oldest park in Indianapolis. Located on the Near South Side)
* Riverside Park (Near West Side)
* Sahm Park (Northeast side)
* Southeastway Park (Franklin Township, Marion County)
* Southwestway Park (Decatur Township, Marion County)

Additionally, Indianapolis has an urban forestry program that is recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA standards.

Indianapolis Zoo

Opened in 1988, the Indianapolis Zoo is the largest zoo in the state and is just west of downtown. It has 360 species of animals and is best known for its dolphin exhibit which includes the only underwater viewing dome in the Midwest.

Museums

*Children's Museum of Indianapolis (the largest children's museum in the world) [ [http://www.childrensmuseums.org/about/facts.htm The Association of Children's Museums website] ]
*Indianapolis Museum of Art
*Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum
*Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art
*Indiana State Museum
*NCAA Hall of Champions (Hall of Fame for college athletics)
*James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home
*Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
*Conner Prairie (A living history museum)

Other places of interest

*Butler University
*Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
*Indianapolis Zoo
*Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens
*Heslar Naval Armory
*Holcomb Gardens
*Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library
*Irvington Historic District
*Slippery Noodle Inn
*White River Gardens

Local media

Indianapolis is served by local, regional, and national media.

Economy

Companies

Indianapolis is the international headquarters of the pharmaceutical corporation Eli Lilly and Company, wireless distribution & logistics provider Brightpoint, health insurance provider Wellpoint, insurance company American United Life (OneAmerica), airline Republic Airways,consisting of Republic Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines and Shuttle America real estate companies Simon Property Group & Hunt Construction Group, Finish Line, Inc., Duke Realty Corp. and Teleservices Direct. The U.S. headquarters of Roche Diagnostics, Thomson SA, Conseco, First Internet Bank of Indiana, Peerless Pump Company, CP Morgan and Dow AgroSciences are also located in Indianapolis. Other major Indianapolis area employers include Clarian Health, Sallie Mae, Cook Group, Rolls Royce, Delta Faucet Company and General Motors. Indianapolis has also developed into a major logistics center. It is home to a FedEx hub and many major distribution centers for companies like Amazon.com, FoxConn, and numerous pharmaceutical distributors.

Before Detroit came to dominate the American automobile industry, Indianapolis was also home to a number of carmakers, including American Motor Car Company, Parry Auto Company, [Clymer, Floyd. "Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925" (New York: Bonanza, 1950), p.102.] and Premier Motor Manufacturing. [Clymer, p.36.] In addition, Indianapolis hosted auto parts companies such as Prest-O-Lite, which provided acetylene generators for brass era headlights and acetylene gas starters. [Clymer, p.128-9.]

Business climate and real estate

Recently, the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo ranked Indianapolis the most affordable major housing market in the U.S. for the fourth quarter of 2006, [ [http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/22/real_estate/most_and_least_affordable_UScities/index.htm?section=money_latest Indianapolis Housing Market] ] and Forbes magazine ranked it the sixth-best city for jobs in 2008, based on a combined graded balance of perceived median household incomes, lack of unemployment, income growth, cost of living and job growth. [ [http://www.forbes.com/2008/01/10/jobs-economy-growth-lead-careers-cx_mk_0110cities.html Best Cities For Jobs In 2008 - Forbes.com ] ] However, in 2008, Indiana ranked 12th nationally in total home foreclosures and Indianapolis led the state within this. [ [http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=8392251&nav=9Tai Foreclosed homes lower neighborhood values - WTHR news report] ]

Transportation

Airports

Indianapolis International Airport, airport code IND, is the largest airport in Indiana and serves the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area. In addition to a recently completed air traffic control tower, the airport is currently undertaking the building of two large concourses, a new airfield, two new parking garages, and apron improvements, all to be completed in November 2008.

Highways

Interstate highways

Several interstates serve the Indianapolis area. Interstate 65 runs northwest to Chicago, Illinois, and southward to Louisville, Kentucky. Interstate 69 runs northeast to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and terminates in the city at I-465. Interstate 70 follows the old National Road, running east to Columbus, Ohio and west to St. Louis, Missouri. Interstate 74 moves northeast towards Danville, Illinois, and southeast towards Cincinnati, Ohio. Finally, Interstate 465 circles Marion County and joins the aforementioned highways together.

US Highways

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Indiana State Trunklines

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Mass transit

The Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, known locally as IndyGo, provides public transportation for the city. IndyGo was established in 1975 after the city of Indianapolis took over the city's transit system. Prior to 1997, IndyGo was called Metro. Central Indiana Commuter Services (CICS), funded by IndyGo to reduce pollution, serves Indianapolis and surrounding counties.

People mover

Clarian Health operates a people mover connecting the Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Wishard Hospital and IUPUI & Indiana University School of Medicine facilities at the north end of the Downtown Canal with Methodist Hospital. Plans for a larger system are being considered that would operate throughout downtown Indianapolis. The existing people mover is sometimes inaccurately described as a monorail, but in fact rides on dual concrete beams with the guideway as wide as the vehicle.

Intercity Transportation

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Indianapolis at the Indianapolis Union Station. Amtrak provides a thrice-weekly service of the Cardinal to Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C. and the daily Hoosier State to Chicago.

Greyhound Lines also operates a terminal from Indianapolis Union Station downtown. The terminal is open 24 hours daily, 365 days a year.

Transportation issues

Indianapolis suffers from numerous transportation issues, such as a lack of sidewalks in suburban areas and a lack of adequate mass transit for a city its size. Plans are being developed to enhance the current transit system by adding commuter rail routes and improving bus frequency.

Indianapolis in popular media

The city of Indianapolis is referred to twelve times in the movie Uncle Buck.

The television sitcom "One Day at a Time" was set in Indianapolis. The opening credits of the show include a shot of the Pyramids, a set of three distinctive office buildings located near the northwestern edge of the city. The first seasons of "Good Morning Miss Bliss" (later to become "Saved by the Bell") and "Thunder Alley" were set in Indianapolis. The American version of "Men Behaving Badly" and CBS's 2005 drama "Close to Home" were also set in Indianapolis. In a darker view, in the television show Jericho, Indianapolis is one of twenty-three American cities destroyed by nuclear weapons, a fate which also befalls the city in the "Worldwar" series of novels by Harry Turtledove.

ee also

*History of Indianapolis
*Downtown Indianapolis

Gallery

ister cities

Indianapolis has five sister cities, as designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)] :

* - Cologne (Germany)
* - Monza (Italy)
* - Piran (Slovenia)
* - Taipei (Republic of China (Taiwan))
* - Scarborough (Canada)

Indianapolis also has a sister city relationship with:

* - Eldoret (Kenya) [ [http://www.indygov.org/NR/rdonlyres/1F65860D-D840-4F9E-996B-8A34FF24EF6F/0/100807min.pdf Indianapolis City County Council Minutes] (2007-10-8).]

References

External links

*wikitravel|Indianapolis
* [http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=39.781762&lon=-86.134357&z=13&l=0&m=s&v=2 Wikimapia Location]
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Indianapolis-Indiana.html City Data for Indianapolis]
* [http://www.indygov.org/home.htm IndyGov.Org Official city government website]
* [http://www.indy.org Official Tourist Information]
* [http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/indianapolis/index.htm Indianapolis, a National Park Service "Discover Our Shared Heritage" Travel Itinerary]
* [http://www.indyindiana.com IndyIndiana.com Indianapolis Business Directory]
* [http://www.indychamber.com/ Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce]
*dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Indiana/Localities/I/Indianapolis