The independent city of Richmond, Virginia is not part of any county even if it does serves as the states capital city. The city of Richmond is also the business hub of the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Richmond and the Greater Richmond Area. In 2010, the population in the city limits was recorded at about 204,214. That year, the Richmond Metropolitan Area had an estimated population of 1,258,251 and this made it the 3rd biggest city within Virginia.
The city of Charlottesville is located some 114km or 71 miles west of Richmond, while Williamsburg is east of Richmond by 54 miles or 87 km. Richmond is 108 miles or 174 km south of Washington, DC. The city of Richmond is geographically by the counties of Chesterfield and Henrico. The city is encircled by Virginia State Route 288 and Interstate 295 and located at the intersections of Interstate 94 and Interstate 64.
The city's economy is heavily driven by government, law and finance since the township supports some local and federal government agencies, and is home to big banking and legal companies who are located within the downtown center. Four of the largest law companies in the nation are located here, for example Williams Mullen and LeClairRyan, McGuireWoods and Hunton & Williams. Richmond is home to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond that is amongst 12 Federal Reserve Banks. Additionally, it is home to both the USA Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Inside the City of Richmond, they support numerous big businesses like Genworth Financial, CarMax, MeadWestvaco and Dominion Resources. Global companies like Philip Morris USA and CapitalOne have operations in Richmond in addition to other brokerages and banks. Fortune 500 companies which call the city home include Massey Energy and Universal Corporation. There are also several Fortune 1000 companies which have their headquarters in the metropolitan area and in the City of Richmond. There are numerous historic places located within the City of Richmond and hence, tourism is another significant sector.
Ever since the 1960's, Richmond has served as a key area for advertising agencies and relayed businesses. Also, VCU's graduate advertising school VCU Brandcenter is consistently ranked as the leading advertising graduate program in the country as a result of local advertising agency support.
Strategically, Richmond is situated along the James River, built up on the rocky fall line on undulating hills, which divides the Piedmont and Tidewater regions of Virginia. These regions provided a natural nexus for the development of commerce in Richmond. The downtown has continually been a center, with the intersection of 2 major interstates, the only triple crossing or rail lines in the globe and the Great Turning Basin for boats.