Denver, Colorado

Denver is the capital and largest city in Colorado, the seat of Denver Co., located in the north-central part of the state, 12 miles east of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Denver is also the name of the metropolitan area surrounding the city. The Metropolitan area of 4,531 square miles is the 17th largest in the nation; it includes Adams County, Arapahoe County, Boulder County, City and County of Broomfield, City and County of Denver, Douglas County, and Jefferson County

Denver will host the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Geography

The city itself covers 107 square miles (277 sq km), 5,280 feet (1,610 meters) -- exactly one mile above sea level; it is called the Mile High City. Winding through Denver are the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. The Rockies provide a spectacular backdrop for the city, and they also protect it from high winds.

Denver is a spacious city of parks, tree-lined streets, broad avenues, old buildings, and modern skyscrapers. Its climate is mild and dry, primarily because the Rockies divert moisture-bearing winds away from the area. Formerly known for its clear sky, it was long a destination for people suffering from tuberculosis. Since 1950, however, pollution from automobiles and trucks has caused serious air pollution. The average temperature in July, the warmest month, is 73°F (23°C.), and the average temperature in January, the coldest month, is 28.5°F. (-2°C.). Annual precipitation is only 15 inches (380 mm), and the city has an average of 250 clear or partly cloudy days a year. The sunshine makes it a very popular tourist destination.

Demography

The metropolitan area had a population of 2,663,000 in 2006 in 1,034,000 households; the median age was 34.4 years. The labort force was 1,442,000, of whom 1,303,000 were employed at an average annual wage of $45,629. The growth rate 1996-2006 was 2.1% per year, with a special attraction for young college graduates who are attracted by the life style and the moderate cost of living. The Phoenix metropolitan area is the chief competitor for these migrants.

The city's population was 567,000 in 2006. Minority communities in Denver include a rapidly groeing Latino population chiefly of Mexican ancestry

Economy

Denver is a major manufacturing center of the western United States. It is also a major market for the produce of the surrounding area and a gateway for skiers headed to the nearby Rockies.

Transportation

In 2006 the $1.67 billion T-REX project widened Interstates 25 and I-225 and added 19 miles of light rail connecting Metro Denver's two largest employment centers: The Central Business District and the Denver Tech Center. Denver International Airport is one of the world's major facilities.

Downtown

At the center of downtown is the Denver Civic Center, a 40 acre (16-hectare) complex of parks and government buildings. At opposite ends of the Center are the City-County Building and the State Capitol. The Capitol is 272 feet (83 meters) high and has a dome covered with local gold. Nearby are the Art Museum, and the Denver Public Library (which contains more than one million volumes, especially famous for its research collection in western history). The United States Mint makes half the nation's coins. Until the 1950s buildings in Denver could not be higher than 12 stories, but since then a number of skyscrapers more than 40 stories tall have been added to the city skyline, including the Arco Tower, Anaconda Tower, Great West Plaza, and the Amoco Building. During the 1970s an extensive urban renewal program was undertaken in downtown Denver, leading to the creation of a three-square block convention center and an elaborate theater complex, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

External Links

• City and County of Denver
• World Travel Guide
• Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation