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INFORMATION About Minneapolis Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota and the center of finance, industry, trade, and transportation for the Upper Midwest. Minneapolis is home to 382,618 people (2000). Minneapolis is just west of St. Paul, its "Twin City". The City's area is 59 square miles (153 square kilometers), including five square miles (13 square kilometers) of inland water. Minneapolis has four distinct seasons with moderate spring and fall weather. Summer is comfortable because lakes and trees serve as natural air conditioners. Historically, Minneapolis was founded to process Minnesota grain with the tremendous power-generating capabilities of St. Anthony Falls. Large mills were established along the river. These mills eventually became the international corporations of Pillsbury, General Mills and Cargill which are still headquartered in Minneapolis. Today, Minneapolis is also a center for graphic arts, electronics and instruments as well as a transportation center and distribution point for the Upper Midwest. Banking, insurance, and other services are important. Major industries include machinery and metal fabricating, plastics, computers, and publishing. Minneapolis, with 7 hospitals and the University of Minnesota, is a nationally known medical center and produces many high technology medical products. Bloomington also houses the nation's largest shopping mall, the "Mall of America." The Twin Cities are best known for their rich natural environment. Each season offers ample opportunity to explore the natural world in a variety of contexts. Twin Cities' parks and lakes are extensive with 136,900 acres of parkland and 950 lakes in the metro area alone. Hiking, fishing, swimming, golfing, snow shoeing, boating, or evening walks around Lake Harriet are all popular and accessible activities for any visitor. The Twin Cities also offer extensive opportunities to shop for many uniquely Minnesotan goods and services. Downtown Minneapolis has two million square feet of retail, one of the highest concentrations of shops in any city its size. The Nicollet Mall and the Uptown area are two of the most popular and well known shopping districts. For pure shopping power, there is no better fit than the nation's largest shopping center, the Mall of America. For more information about Minneapolis see: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us http://www.minneapolischamber.org/visitor/index.htm
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