In Western New England, the City of Springfield is the most populous city. Additionally, it is the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts within the USA. The city is situated on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, near its confluence with 3 rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River and the eastern Mill River. The population of Springfield City was 153,060, according to the 2010 Census. In 2009, Metropolitan Springfield, one of two metropolitan areas in the State of Massachusetts, the other being Greater Boston, had an estimated population of around 698,903. The city is the largest city within Western New England.
Springfield, Massachusetts is the first city of Springfield within the New World. It is the cultural, economic and urban capital of Massachusetts' Connecticut River Valley, a region colloquially known as the Pioneer Valley. Springfield is the 3rd largest city within the state of Massachusetts and also the 4th largest in New England; after Boston, Worcester and Providence.
Springfield has many nicknames. It is affectionately known as "the City of Firsts" because of its many innovations. One more nickname is "the City of Homes" due to the beautiful Victorian residential architecture. Ever since basketball, the second most famous sport within the world, was invented within the City of Springfield, it is also known as "Hoop City."
The capital of Connecticut, Hartford is only 38.5 km or 23.9 miles south of Springfield. The city sits along the western banks of the Connecticut River. Bradley International Airport is the one residents of Springfield utilize. This airport is owned and operated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The airport is also known as the Hartford-Springfield Airport since it lies equal distance between the two cities.
The area referred to as the Knowledge Corridor is the Hartford-Springfield area. This site hosts over 160,000 university students. There are actually over thirty-two liberal arts colleges and universities in this corridor, making it the 2nd highest concentration of higher learning institutions within the United States. Some of the famous institutions include Western New England University, Springfield Technical Community College, the University of Massachusetts Amherst's School of Urban Design, American International College and Springfield College, among many others.
The city of Springfield is famous all over the globe as being the birthplace for basketball. James Naismith, a theology graduate, invented the sport in the year 1891, at the YMCA International Training School, now known as Springfield College. He invented the game to fill in the gap between the football and baseball seasons. The Mason Square district of Springfield is where the very first game of basketball ever played took place.
The top economic businesses in the city include Health and Education Services; Transportation and Trade, Manufacturing; Hospitality and Tourism; and lastly, Government. The economy is considered a "mature economy." To some degree, this protects the city during recessions and inhibits it somewhat. Springfield is said to have one of the top emerging multi-cultural markets within the USA. The city has a prominent 33 percent Latino population with buying power that has increased from 1990 to 2006 over 295 percent. During the past 2 decades, more than 60% of Hispanic Springfielders have arrived and now call Springfield home.