Milwaukee; Wisconsin is the 28th most densely inhabited city in the country and the largest within the state. The city of Milwaukee is the 39th most densely inhabited metropolis within the country and is situated on the southwestern coast of Lake Michigan. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County.
The population of the city of Milwaukee is nearing 600,000 according to the latest census in 2010. The Metro Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha region had a population of over 1,750,000 residents. The city is the main economic and cultural center of the region and is the regional center of the 7 county Greater Milwaukee Area. During the year 2008, this area had a population of approximately 2,014,030.
At first the region was settled by different Native American tribes. During 1795, a French-Canadian fur trader built the very first trading post. The region which comprised Milwaukee was initially established by 3 different men in the years 1833 and 1834. The 3 towns were incorporated as Milwaukee during 1846. The name of the city originates from the Indian word "Millioke." Depending on the interpretation, the word for Milwaukee means "gathering place by the water," "the good land" or "pleasant or beautiful lands."
French missionaries and fur traders were the very first Europeans to pass through the area referred to as present day Milwaukee. In 1818, Solomon Juneau, the French-Canadian explorer lived within the area. During the year 1864, the town of Juneau along with 2 nearby townships and became incorporated as the City of Milwaukee. During the 1840s, many immigrants including Germans helped to increase the population of Milwaukee during that time and the decades that followed.
The city of Milwaukee was once mostly recognized as a brewing and manufacturing powerhouse. Milwaukee's image has changed with the decline of industry in the majority of the States. There have been lots of new additions to the economy in the last decade. Like for instance, the Milwaukee Art Museum is presently home to Miller Park, which is an internationally well-known addition to the museum. The Milwaukee Riverwalk, Pier Wisconsin and Frontier Airlines Center are some of the newest developments. There has been a remarkable increase in the building of apartments, lofts and condos, along with skyscrapers being built within the neighborhoods near the lakefront and the riverbanks.
Due to 4 of the biggest breweries within the globe situated in the city, Milwaukee was firstly known as a beer town. These four breweries comprise Pabst, Miller, Blatz and Schiltz. Currently, only Miller remains within the city of Milwaukee. The city of Milwaukee is still a huge manufacturing community. Approximately over 20 percent of the population is employed within manufacturing businesses. This figure is much higher compared to the national average. Amongst the main industry segments in Milwaukee comprise: Tourism, Printing and Publishing, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Financial Services and High Technology.
The city of Milwaukee has the nickname of "the City of Festivals," because of the various festivals which take place throughout the year. Amongst the popular festivals consist of: the Great Circus Parade, CajunFest, the Holiday Folk Fair, Bastille Days, the Wisconsin State Fair, Summerfest, Polish fest, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, German Fest, Festa Italiana and the Holiday Folk Fair.