Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 550.5 km² (212.6 mi²). 544.6 km² (210.3 mi²) of it is land and 5.9 km² (2.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.07% water. Unlike many other major US cities, Columbus continues to expand its reach by way of extensions and annexations, making it one of the fastest growing large cities in the nation, in terms of both geography and population.

Related Topics:
United States Census Bureau - Km² - Mi²

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The confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers occurs just west of downtown Columbus. Several smaller tributaries course through the Columbus metro area, including Alum Creek, Big Walnut Creek, and Darby Creek. By and large, Columbus has relatively flat topography thanks to a large glacier that covered most of Ohio during the Wisconsian Ice Age, but numerous ravine areas near the rivers and creeks help give some variety to the landscape. The region is dominated by a humid continental climate, characterized by hot, muggy summers and cold, dry winters. Deciduous trees are common, including maple, oak, hickory, walnut, poplar, cottonwood, and of course, buckeye.

Related Topics:
Scioto - Olentangy - Topography - Glacier - Wisconsian Ice Age - Humid continental - Deciduous - Maple - Oak - Hickory - Walnut - Poplar - Cottonwood - Buckeye

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Cityscape

See also: List of Central Ohio Suburbs

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Columbus also has a number of distinctive neighborhoods within the metro area. The Short North, situated just north of downtown, is rich with art galleries, fine dining, pubs, and specialty shops. A number of large, ornate Victorian homes are located nearby, and together they comprise Victorian Village. To the south, German Village is known for its quaint 19th century brick cottages, and it holds the distinction as the largest privately funded historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. Franklinton, sometimes known as "the Bottoms", is the neighborhood immediately west of downtown. It gets its colorful nickname due to the fact that much of the land lies below the level of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and a floodwall is required to contain the rivers and protect the area from devastating floods. Just to the west of Franklinton is a group of smaller neighborhoods commonly referred to as "the Hilltop."

Related Topics:
Short North - Art galleries - Victorian - Victorian Village - German Village - National Register of Historic Places

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The OSU Campus area is populated by a high concentration of students during the school year (perhaps as many as 50,000) and features many old homes which have been converted to apartments for student use. The stretch of High Street that runs through the campus area caters to the student body with its abundance of dive bars, sandwich shops, and bookstores. Located between OSU and Worthington is Clintonville, where a mix of middle class Levittown-type homes can be found alongside beautiful old stone and brick-faced houses nestled among rolling hills. Further west of downtown, San Margherita is a village formed by Italian immigrants who arrived at the turn of the 20th century. And to the east, Linden remains distinct as one of the city's oldest neighborhoods.

Related Topics:
OSU Campus - Clintonville - Levittown - San Margherita - Linden

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Other neighborhoods and crossroads around the area include: Berwick, Hungarian Village, Merion Village, Steelton, Milo Grogan, Flytown, Italian Village, Weinland Park, Driving Park, Olde Town East, Marble Cliff, Valleyview, New Rome, Briggsdale, Urbancrest, Eastmoor, Minerva Park, Huber Ridge, Mifflinville, Linworth, Riverlea, Olentangy, Amlin, Lincoln Village, and Alton.

Related Topics:
Berwick - Hungarian Village - Merion Village - Steelton - Milo Grogan - Flytown - Italian Village - Weinland Park - Driving Park - Olde Town East - Marble Cliff - Valleyview - New Rome - Briggsdale - Urbancrest - Eastmoor - Minerva Park - Huber Ridge - Mifflinville - Linworth - Riverlea - Olentangy - Amlin - Lincoln Village - Alton

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