About Indianapolis, Indiana
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. Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, has an estimated population of 795,458, according to the 2006 U.S. Census; it is Indiana's largest city and is the 14th largest city in the U.S. Indianapolis was selected as the site of the new state capital in 1820. and is the only capital to be in the exact center of the state. 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, which is now open. Indianapolis is the home of many colleges and universities, including the University of Indianapolis, Brown Mackie College, Butler University, and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Indianapolis is also home to the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL, the Indiana Pacers of the NBA, and the Indiana Fever of the WNBA. There are six official Cultural Districts in the city: Broad Ripple Village, Massachusetts Avenue, Fountain Square, The Wholesale District, Canal and White River State Park, and Indiana Avenue. 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. Indianapolis is located 73 miles west of Richmond.