Indianapolis

Indianapolis, commonly called Indy, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Indiana. It is located in central Indiana along the White River in Marion County and is the principal city of the Indianapolis metropolitan area, which spans several counties and has about two million residents. Since 1970, Indianapolis and Marion County have been governed by a consolidated city–county government known as Unigov.

The city was founded in 1821 as the state capital after a contest to choose a central location; it was named Indianapolis, a blend of Indiana and polis (Greek for city). The city grew rapidly in the 19th century with the arrival of railroads and manufacturing, establishing itself as a transportation and commercial hub.

Indianapolis is known for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, opened in 1909, which hosts the annual Indianapolis 500. It is also home to professional sports teams—the NFL's Colts and the NBA's Pacers—and to cultural institutions such as the Children's Museum of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) is a major public research university located in the city.

Economy in Indianapolis is diverse, with significant sectors including healthcare, education, finance, manufacturing, and technology. Transportation infrastructure includes Indianapolis International Airport and a network of Interstates, notably I-65, I-70, and the I-465 beltway that encircles the city.