Omaha (population 408,958) is a city in the Midwestern part of Nebraska State. It serves as the county seat of Douglas County. The city is situated on the Missouri River, approximately 30 km north of the mouth of the Platte River. The city of Omaha is the biggest city in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area (population about 865,300) and the largest in Nebraska. There are over 1.2 million residents within a 80-km radius of the city's center, forming the Greater Omaha area, the 60th-biggest metropolitan area within the country.
At first, Omaha was settled by the Omaha Indians. Established in 1854, Omaha was founded during the settling of America as it served as an important supply stop for people heading west. With the arrival of the Union Pacific transcontinental railroad in the year 1869, Omaha became a transportation hub for the area, which developed as a major center for agricultural products such as grains and livestock.
The city of Omaha presently has a diversified economic base. Although retaining its core agricultural sector, the city has attracted such diverse businesses as insurance, banking, and high-technology including telecommunications. Omaha is the home of many company head offices, such as Ameritrade, ConAgra Foods, Mutual of Omaha, Berkshire Hathaway, Sitel, Union Pacific railroad and West Teleservices. The US military is one more major employer. Offutt Air Force Base is home of the US Strategic Command.
The city of Omaha provides various attractions associated to the arts. Omaha has its own opera, symphony and numerous theaters. The Joslyn Art Museum has amassed a fine selection of Native American and western art. The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts supports the creativity of artists through artist residencies. There are numerous museums in the city, like Great Plains Black History Museum, El Museo Latino and Durham Western Heritage Museum.
All over the city of Omaha are some well maintained and developed trail systems. There is more than 130 km of paved trails for the visitors and residents to enjoy. The most well-known part for walking, jogging, cycling and rollerblading is the Keystone Trail/Bellevue Loop Trail. To experience nature outside of Omaha, the nearby Desoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge has geese, ducks and bald eagles. Fishing and water sports facilities are offered on the Missouri River, Lake Manawa and Carter Lake.
The attractions within the city of Omaha have taken advantage of the city's early history, when the famous British writer Rudyard Kipling visited here. Omaha was the site of the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show during 1883, when it drew around 8,000 spectators. The city of Omaha has numerous tourist attractions now. Downtown Omaha is the location of The Old Market, a major attraction and a flourishing retail center. Tourists could visit the Henry Doorly Zoo and attend the College World Series.