Denver, the capital of Colorado, is the largest city in the state and is located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains, just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The city had a population of over 700,000, making it the 19th most populous city in the United States.
The city is named after James W. Denver, a governor of the Kansas Territory, and it is nicknamed the “Mile High City” because its official elevation is exactly one mile (5,280 feet or 1,609.3 meters) above sea level. This makes Denver the highest major city in the United States.
Denver has a consolidated city and county government. Its mayor is elected to four-year terms. The Denver City Council is elected from 11 districts with two at-large council members.
Denver’s economy is diverse, with a blend of high-tech, telecommunications, aerospace, finance, government, and healthcare industries. The city has been a major center for energy production, especially oil, and gas, but has diversified its energy sector to include renewable resources. It is also home to several large corporations in the central United States.
The city is known for its world-class cultural attractions, including museums, galleries, theaters, and music venues. The Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the Denver Performing Arts Complex are among the nation’s best. Denver also has a strong love for sports, hosting eight professional sports teams, including the Denver Broncos (NFL), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Denver Nuggets (NBA), and Colorado Avalanche (NHL).
Denver’s climate is considered semi-arid, characterized by four distinct seasons. It is known for its abundant sunshine and, despite its proximity to the mountains, it has a relatively mild and dry climate. The city receives less precipitation than the national average, but more snow.
The city also serves as a vital transportation hub, with a major international airport, Denver International Airport, and a well-developed network of interstates, highways, and mass transit systems. Denver’s Union Station is a bustling transit, dining, shopping, and entertainment hub in the city’s downtown.
With the Rocky Mountains to the west, Denver residents and visitors have easy access to a multitude of outdoor activities, including skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking, biking, and camping in the summer. The city itself is peppered with more than 200 parks, from small mini-parks all over the city to the expansive 314-acre City Park.
