omaha

Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County. It lies on the eastern edge of the state along the Missouri River, opposite Council Bluffs, Iowa, and forms the core of the Omaha–Council Bluffs metropolitan area.

The name Omaha derives from the Native American Omaha people, who historically inhabited the Missouri River valley. The city was founded in 1854 and rapidly developed as a transportation and trading hub, aided by river traffic and the expansion of the railroad, earning the nickname Gateway to the West.

Omaha has a diversified economy anchored in finance, healthcare, insurance, education, and manufacturing. It is the headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway and home to several other major companies. The metropolitan area supports a large agricultural and food-processing sector as well.

Cultural institutions in Omaha include the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, the Joslyn Art Museum, the Orpheum Theater, and the Old Market historic district. The College World Series is held in the city at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, a notable annual sporting event.

As of the 2020s, Omaha has about half a million residents, with the metro area approaching one million. The city experiences a humid continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters.

The name also refers to the Native American Omaha people, a historic group of the Missouri River valley.