Mayor: Kirk Humphreys (to April
2002)
City Manager: Glen E. Deck
1999 est. population (rank):
475,322 (30)
Land area: 608.2 sq mi. (1,575
sq km);
Alt.: Highest, 1,320 ft.;
lowest, 1,140 ft.Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 35.9° F; July, 82.1° F
Churches: Roman Catholic, 25;
Jewish, 4; Protestant and others, 741;
City-owned parks: 144 (5,225
ac.);
Television stations: 8;
Radio stations: AM, 10; FM, 14
Civilian Labor Force (1999):
549,730;
Unemployed: 14,079;
Percent: 2.6;
Per capita personal income (MSA) 1998:
$23,337
Chamber of Commerce: Greater
Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, 123 Park Ave., Oklahoma City,
Okla. 73102
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Oklahoma
City, the state capital and seat of Oklahoma County, is the
largest city in Oklahoma. It is located in the central part of
the state on the North Canadian River.
Oklahoma City
sprang into being almost overnight. On April 22, 1889, the U.S.
government threw open the territory for settlement, and there
was a rush across the line to stake claims. A sprawling tent
city sprang up near the Santa Fe railroad tracks, and within a
short time Oklahoma City was a bustling town of 10,000. The city
was incorporated in 1890 and replaced Guthrie as the state
capital in 1910. Oil was discovered in the city in 1928, and
petroleum production became a mainstay of the city's economy.
Oklahoma
City is the wholesale and distributing center for the state, and
the city's stockyards are the largest stocker and feeder cattle
market in the world. Following the decline of the energy sector,
Oklahoma City is fostering a private entrepreneurial environment
and a more diversified economy. Within the service sector,
health services are projected to grow, followed by retail trade
and business services. Aerospace, distribution, and
telecommunications have been targeted for business attraction.
Nearby Tinker Air Force Base, one of the world's largest air
depots, is a major city employer. |
