The city of St. Louis is situated on the eastern border of Missouri and has a population of approximately 319,294. As of 2010, it was the 58th-biggest city in the United States. The combined statistical area of Greater St. Louis has a population of about 2,845,298, making it the country's 16th biggest urban region. It is the Midwest's 4th biggest city, and the biggest in the state.
St. Louis was founded during 1767 by Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau. St. Louis was able to rapidly develop into a busy port on the Mississippi, soon after the Louisiana Purchase. The result of the American Civil War resulted in a population boom within St. Louis, causing it to become the country's 4th biggest city throughout the latter part of the 19th century. It became an independent city from St. Louis Country during the year 1876. The 1904 World's Fair and the 1904 Olympic Games were both held in St. Louis. The population of St. Louis continued to grow until 1950. Since then, the population has started a to steadily decline.
The Gateway Arch is the city's most famous landmark. It was constructed during 1965, spanning over 630 feet across the river. Designed by Eero Sarrinen, it was to represent St. Louis as the gateway to the American West. The oldest and biggest outdoor musical theatre in the country, the Municipal Theatre, is also within St. Louis, housed within Forest Park. Forest park is likewise home to various other cultural attractions, including the St. Louis Zoological Park, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis Science Center and Observatory, the Municipal Theatre ("The Muny"), and the Missouri History Museum. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Shakespeare Company of St. Louis, the St. Louis Repertory Theatre and the St. Louis Opera Theatre are amongst the other attractions that are located in the city.
The St. Louis Metropolitan area has rather a diverse and vast economy, with nearly all of the labor force employed by the retail and service sector. The key industries comprise life and plant sciences, transportation and distribution, advanced manufacturing, financial services and information technology. St. Louis remains a major national center of wholesale trade because of its central location in Missouri State along with its excellent transportation system.
The manufacturing sector still plays an essential part in the economy, though its role has been in decline. This sector represents around 20% of the income earned by inhabitants. There are likewise some automobile manufacturing facilities located in the Louis Area. Wentzville has a General Motors plant, and Hazelwood has a Ford Motor Company plant and Fenton is home to a couple of DaimlerChrysler plants. St. Louis is home to a Boeing manufacturing plant, which makes JDAM smart bombs and the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Boeing also runs its headquarters for it's Phantom Works research and development operation along with it's Integrated Defense Systems division.
Being the 3rd largest inland port in the United States and amongst the twenty-five biggest ports in North America, St. Louis is major shipping St. Louis is major shipping port and is the 3rd biggest inland port in the US. It is also considered amongst the twenty-five largest ports in North America. For the most part it remains ice-free and open throughout the entire year because of it's location on the northernmost point on the Mississippi River. As well, it is also the southernmost point which offers lock-free navigation to the Gulf of Mexico.