Major Cities of the Midwest United States

Chicago, Illinois
With more than eight million residents in the metropolitan area, the "Windy City" is the most populous city in the Midwest. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the city boasts ethnic restaurants, famous architecture, distinctive neighborhoods, shopping, beaches, parks, and museums. Chicago's Navy Pier, restored in 1995, is a world-class recreation and exposition center with gardens, a museum, a Ferris wheel, and other attractions.

Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is located in northeast Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie and has a population of nearly three million. The city's popular Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum features exhibits that trace the history of rock and roll music and musicians. Another well-known Cleveland attraction is the Flats, an old industrial area that has been revitalized to include entertainment attractions, many of which overlook the Cuyahoga River.

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, in conjunction with its neighboring city, St. Paul, has a population of more than two million. Known as the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul serve as the financial and cultural center of Minnesota.

St. Louis, Missouri
Located on the Mississippi River, which separates Missouri from Illinois, St. Louis is known as the Gateway to the West. This heritage is symbolized by the city's famous Gateway Arch, which was built in 1965 and is 630 feet high. With a population of approximately 2.6 million, St. Louis offers a vibrant waterfront area, a zoo, and art and history museums.

Major Cities of the Northeast United States

Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and the largest city in New England. Known for its charming neighborhoods and historic landmarks, Boston's greater metropolitan area is home to more than five million people.

New York, New York
With more than 20 million residents, New York City is the United States' largest city and also serves as its financial and cultural center. The city is home to such famous landmarks as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge, among many others.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Founded in 1682, Philadelphia boasts a historic past. This is the city that witnessed the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Home to more than five million residents in the metropolitan area, Philadelphia is just two hours from both New York City and Washington, DC.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Long known as an industrial, steel-producing city, Pittsburgh also enjoys a rich cultural heritage and is home to a variety of financial and high-tech businesses. Named after William Pitt, a famous British prime minister, this city of two million residents is located where the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela rivers meet in southwest Pennsylvania.

Major Cities of the South

Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the business center of the Southeast, with CNN, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, and United Parcel Service all headquartered there. This city of four million also has professional sports, a world-class orchestra, and charming neighborhoods.

Dallas, Texas
Dallas—along with its neighboring city, Ft. Worth—is home to five million residents and has a distinctly western flavor. Culture and international business go hand-in-hand here: the city is famous for its live rodeos and country music and is also home to major corporations.

Miami, Florida
This city of two million is located on the southernmost tip of Florida and encompasses more than 80 miles of Atlantic coastline. The city is known for its Cuban flavor, beautiful beaches, and plentiful nightlife.

Washington, DC
The nation's capital is an ethnically diverse city of a half million people and offers world-famous museums and landmarks, including the White House, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Capitol.

Major Cities of the West

Las Vegas, Nevada
The "Entertainment Capital of the World" is home to more than 1.5 million people in the metropolitan area. Las Vegas is a culturally and ethnically diverse city with a history steeped in African-American, Hispanic, European, Native American, and Asian heritage. Located in southeastern Nevada, Las Vegas has a dry desert climate with an average annual temperature of 67 degrees. Las Vegas is a popular tourist destination that features resorts and outdoor recreational areas.

Los Angeles, California
With a population of more than eight million, the "City of Angels" is the second-largest city in the United States. Located on southern California's Pacific Coast, this diverse city is actually made up of nearly 100 smaller cities, including Hollywood, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Beverly Hills.

Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and is now the sixth-largest city in the United States, with a population of more than three million. Located in the Sonoran desert, Phoenix enjoys a warm, sunny climate all year round. Summers are hot, but in the winter many Americans migrate to the Phoenix area to escape the cold weather, snow, and ice in other parts of the country. This may explain why some of the fastest growing cities in the United States are in Arizona.

Seattle, Washington
Seattle is located on Puget Sound approximately 100 miles south of the U.S.-Canadian border. The city is home to more than three million people, and is a commercial, cultural, and technological hub of the Pacific Northwest. Surrounded by mountains and water, Seattle features picture-perfect views and abundant recreational opportunities year-round.