Columbia, Missouri

Columbia is a city located in Boone County, Missouri. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 84,531. It is located roughly equidistant from St. Louis and Kansas City on Interstate 70. It has the reputation of combining the quality and culture of larger metropolitan areas with the warm hospitality of the Midwest. Columbia is consistently ranked as one of the top places in the United States to live by outfits such as Money Magazine because of its excellent quality of life. The University of Missouri - Columbia, the flagship campus for the University of Missouri System, is located in Columbia. The city is also home to Stephens College, a traditionally-female college, and Columbia College, which led in the past to Columbia being known by the nickname "College Town USA". As a whole the city has a very young and active population. The downtown area (known as The District) is filled with businesses catering to a young population including over 75 restaurants and bars. The District is also host to many events including the True/False Film Festival, Art in the Park, The Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival, and the Twilight Festivals in June and September. The population generally supports progressive causes, examples of this being the recent decriminilization of marijuana and the extensive city recycling programs. Politically the city leans to the left, where as the surrounding rural areas are largely conservative. Many college students and residents took part in protests of the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. It is the county seat of Boone County, Missouri.{{GR|6}} The mayor of Columbia is Darwin Hindman.

External links

• Columbia Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Columbia Chamber of Commerce
• Columbia Missourian
• Columbia Daily Tribune
• MyMissourian
• An interesting historical look can be found in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.
• Map of The District
• Comomusic
• The District - Over 70 bars & restaurants, 110 unique shops and 40 live performances a week.
• Digital Guide to Columbia MO