Columbus is the capital city of the state of
Ohio in the United States. It is Ohio's most populated city, and also the United States' fourteenth most populated city. After Chicago, Illinois, Columbus is the second most populated city in the entire Midwest region. Its metropolitan area is the second largest in Ohio, and it remains the core city of the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Columbus-OH.
The city was established in 1812 and became state capital in 1816. Today, it is the official seat of Franklin County. Significant advancements over the years have rendered Columbus the economic, financial, educational, technological, government, and tourist hub of its region.
Columbus assumes a strategic and convenient location at the point where the Scioto River and Olentangy River meet. It is also among the top fifty best cities in the world because it has the best and most highly educated workforce in the Midwest as well as the most remarkable wage growth. On top of that, it is among the best cities in the US for building businesses and careers.
The Ohio Statehouse is among the top landmarks in the city, situated in the green leafy surroundings amid beautiful parks. The Franklin Park Conservatory is another of the significant spots, made in a contemporary design with a visible dome at its heart. Other buildings like the iconic Short North skyscrapers and the Columbus Commons play a significant role in attracting visitors to the city too.
The Main Street Bridge remains a vital point of Columbus. It is situated slightly out of the city behind the central business district. From atop the bridge, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the entire downtown Columbus. On either side of the bridge lie the most scenic and beautiful park gardens and planted natural forests in the city. This is an excellent spot for relaxing picnics and photography.
Columbus experiences a humid continental climate of Köppen Dfa, with some parts of the city experiencing a humid subtropical climate. The main characteristics are cold, dry winters, and warm, muggy summers. Spring becomes somewhat cold but tolerable, while autumn is mild and pleasant. Both seasons are short and enjoyable and act mainly as transitional periods.
Most of the rainfall is received during the summer afternoons, albeit in moderately low amounts. The wettest month,
July, has the rain gauge meters reading 4.8" (121.9mm) collected from approximately eleven days of rain. The driest month is
February, with approximately 2.2" (55.9mm) of rainfall.
Summer experiences highs of 86.9°F (30.5°C) and lows of 66.7°F (19.3°C), with up to eight and a half hours of sunshine each day.
Winter has mercury expanding to highs of 40.1°F (4.5°C) and lows of 23.2°F (-4.9°C), with up to 68cm of snowfall across approximately thirty days all season.
Thanks to its lovely temperate climate, Columbus is a year-round travel destination. However, most visitors arrive between
May and
August, during summer, despite the fact that most afternoons receive some rainfall showers. Most of the commonly attended events also happen to occur around this time.
In
June, the Columbus Arts Festival attracts attendance from far and wide, featuring exhibitions from famed artists on the Scioto Mile. Parades, live music concerts, and other shows dominate the June Columbus Pride Festival, another commonly attended event. Between July and August, Columbus celebrates the Ohio State Fair amid fun rides and amazing exhibitions, among other activities. During winter, in
January, the city holds its annual BeerFest event, featuring tasting and drinking of beer samples from numerous breweries.