Located in the state of Missouri, St. Louis is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the Midwest. With a population of over 301,578 people as of 2021 and an area covering 65.99 sq mi (170.92 km2), the city is one of the largest in America.
St. Louis is also home to giant companies such as Enterprise Holdings, Centene Corporation, and Edward Jones Investments. In addition, almost ten museums around St. Louis offer a wide range of activities for their guests to explore, from art to history.
Check out these incredible facts about St. Louis below to learn more.
1. St. Louis is the second-largest city in Missouri.
2. It was founded on February 14, 1764, and incorporated in 1822.
3. The city is named after King Louis IX of France when the state of
Missouri was still part of the French Louisiana Territory. Louis was King of France between 1226 and 1270.
4. St. Louis is located near the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers.
5. The city has a GDP of over 160 billion U.S. dollars. In addition, the metropolitan area of St. Louis has a diverse economy, including manufacturing, trade, transportation, and tourism.
6. St. Louis is home to ten Fortune 500 companies in Missouri, such as the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Centene Corporation, Wells Fargo Advisors, and Anheuser-Busch.
7. Among many of the city’s popular nicknames are; Gateway to the West”, The Gateway City, Mound City, The Lou, Rome of the West, River City, The STL, and Saint Lou.
8. Major schools include Saint Louis University and Washington University.
9. The city has several sports teams, including the St. Louis Blues hockey team, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, and the St. Louis BattleHawks of XFL.
10. In 1904, the city hosted the Summer Olympics.
11. The Gateway Arch was built on February 12, 1963, to celebrate the city’s becoming a primary gateway to the west during World War II. It is a 190-metre (623 ft) stainless steel structure and is a significant tourist attraction. The monument opened to the public on June 10, 1967.
12. St. Louis is also home to the St. Louis Zoo and the Missouri Botanical Garden, the second-largest herbarium in North America.
13. The city’s climate is heavy snow and cold during winter and hot summers. Over the year, the temperature usually varies from 25°F to 89°F.