Oklahoma City (Oklahoma)

Oklahoma City (Oklahoma City, often just OKC) – a city located in the south of the central part of the United States, the capital of Oklahoma. For 2013, the population of Oklahoma City was estimated at 610 thousand people. Together with the suburbs in Oklahoma-City lives more than 1.2 million.

Oklahoma City is located on great plains in close proximity to the huge and important state of Texas. Nearest major cities:

Dallas – 300 km
Kansas City – 480 km
Tulsa – 150 km

Oklahoma City is one of the largest US cities in Square – 1609 kV.KM. Landscape around the city mainly consists of hills, low trees and shrubs. The city crosses the North Canadian River River, in 2004, the river area flowing directly within the city was renamed Oklahoma River (Oklahoma River). In the past, the river was often spilled, but the Dam’s system allowed to cope with this threat. To the north-west of the city center is Lake Hefner, named so in honor of the former mayor of the city. This is a popular place for fishing, sports, walks with numerous rest areas around.

Oklahoma City is a very young city. It was founded on April 22, 1889, when one of the most interesting events in the history of the development of Western lands was held in history as «Land races» Land Run). Then, at the same time about 50 thousand people, competing with each other, rushed to still unallocated territories in order to try to stroke a free piece of land. By the evening of the same day, about 10,000 immigrants have formed a tent town, which turned over time in Oklahoma City. A dramatic episode has entered the story forever, when simultaneously on the officer signal, thousands of migrants on horseback rushed and rushed across the Kanadian River river in the hope of obtaining a better share.

Oklahoma-City rapidly grew up and at the beginning of the 20th century became the capital of the state. In 1928, in the area found oil, which contributed to the growth of the economy. Other growth factors have become the development of infrastructure and production. Today, the economy of the city is diversified and based on energy, agriculture, production, health care. Southeast is the Base of the Tinker Air Force Base Air Force, which also greatly affects the regional economy. Over 8.5 thousand military and almost 16 thousand civilian personnel are working on the basis, and about 30 thousand people are involved in indirect (housing, food, services).

Oklahoma City An important transport hub, in particular through the city passes «Main Street America» – Famous Route 66 Way. In total, Oklahoma City intersect 3 major highways: I-35, I-40 and I-44. The club’s largest airport is Will Rogers World Airport (Will Rogers World Airport) serves about 3.5 million passengers annually. The largest University of Oklahoma (about 30 thousand students) is based in the suburb of Oklahoma City – Norman (Norman), located 30 km south.

In 2009, the GDP of the urban agglomeration of Oklahoma City amounted to 61.1 billion dollars.

The racial composition of Oklahoma City as of 2013:

White – 55.0%
Latin American – 19.0%
African Americans – 14.0%
Mixed races – 4.7%
Asians – 4.1%
Indians – 2.5%

Socio-economic indicators for 2013:

Middle income per person – $ 25685
The average cost of the house – $ 136900
Average rental cost of housing – $ 747
Population living below the poverty line – 17.5%

Unemployment as of June 2014 was 4.6% – it is a much smaller indicator than on average country.

In 1995, the terrorist attack was performed in Oklahoma City, who, to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, was considered the largest in the history of the United States. War Veteran in the Persian Gulf of Timothy McVeigh (Timothy McVeigh) together with accomplices organized a share aimed against the federal government. The goal for their attack was chosen by the building named after Alfred P. Marra (Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building), where there were several federal agencies. After a thorough multi-month cooking on April 19, 1995 at 9 am Macvey left a truck, stuck 5 tons of explosives, on the underground parking lot and disappeared. The explosion caused enormous damage. Building Alfred P. Murrah was almost completely destroyed, more than 300 buildings were obtained within the radius of 16 quarters of damage. A total of 168 people died from the explosion, 680 were injured. Many children died. Timothy Macvey and accomplices were arrested, McWaway was executed in 2001, and his body cremated.

5 years after the explosion at the scene, the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum memorial complex was opened . Today, this memorial is the most visited attraction in Oklahoma City. It consists of two identical gates, between which the pool is located, symbolizing the moment of the explosion. Near the pool there is a lawn with 168 monuments in the form of chairs, on each of which the names of the victims of the terrorist attack are written. Chairs symbolize empty places for dining tables in families. In the southeastern part of the Memorial there is a preserved part of the building, known as «Wall of survivors». It causes names of more than 600 people during an explosion in the building or near and survivors. Many of these people were injured. In the northern part of the memorial, 100-year-old Elm, who survived the explosion. On the wall located next to the surviving tree, engraved «The spirit of this city and this country will not be defeated, our faith deeply rooted and supports us». Every year on the anniversary of the anniversary of the terrorist attack, hundreds of seeds of this elm are planted in public and private parks throughout the US. The memorial complex includes a museum in which the impressive collection of exhibits belonging to the building, terrorist attack and its investigation is.

Other Attractions and Interesting Places in Oklahoma City

Artificial Water Channel runs through Brictow (Brictown) – nearby with a downtown area, a popular place for recreation and entertainment. Water taxi walk through the channel.

Since 2003, a monument dedicated to the foundation of the city is erected in Brictown. The monument after the final creation will include 45 shapes of men, women, children with horses, wagons and scarves. The total length of the monument on the plan should exceed 100 meters.

Myriad Botanical Gardens is an impressive city park with a 7-storey botanical garden;
Oklahoma City Zoo – Oklahoma City Zoo;
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – a large museum dedicated to the US West is one of the main attractions of Oklahoma City;
Remington Park and Casino – Casino and Hippodrome;
Science Museum Oklahoma – Scientific Museum of Oklahoma;
Oklahoma City Museum of Art – Oklahoma City Art Museum;
Oklahoma State Capitol – Oklahoma State Capitol, the only capitol in the whole country, under which they found oil;
Oklahoma History Cente R – Museum illuminates the exciting history of Oklahoma;
KIRKPATRICK CENTER – a complex, which includes several museums;

Chief Professional Sports Club – Basketball «Oklahoma City Fander» (Oklahoma City Thunder), acting in the NBA League. The city got this sport franchise just in 2008, when the most popular Seattle SuperSonics team was sold to the investment group from Oklahoma City. HOME AREN CHESAPEAKE ENERGY ARENA, accommodating 18 thousand viewers, is located in the downtown.

Weather in Oklahoma City may vary unpredictable. In any season it is possible a threat from a tornado, however, usually the season Tornado lasts from March to August. During the conduct of meteorological observations, Oklahoma-City has already hit the strongest tornadoes under blows. The last destructive tornado, which received the status of F5 on the classification system «incredible», Partially passed over the city in May 1999. Summer in Oklahoma City brings unchanged heat and high humidity. Winds, which, from the Gulf of Mexico, only contribute to this. The average temperature of July 27.8 s. On average, three year old days there are 56 days, when the temperature reaches 32 C. The average temperature of January -3.8 s, however, the northern winds can be very cold. Better time for visiting the city – September, October.