Denver: The Mile High Mountain City

Denver, which bears the nickname of the Mile High City due to its elevation, is the state capital for Colorado. Denver is a city and a county. The city of Denver is located on the South Platte River Valley to the east of the Rocky Mountains. Denver has excellent transportation links to the rest of the region. Much of the city's economy is based on its location, with many goods being transported through the city to the smaller towns and cities that surround it.

The city of Denver was found in 1858 after gold was found in the region. The site of the earliest settlement, which was originally called Montana City, can still be seen in the Grant Frontier Park, where visitors can tour a replica of a 19th century log cabin and see some historic mining equipment. It was in the same year, 1858 that the name Denver was first applied to the area, in honor of Kansas Governor James Denver. To begin with, Denver was the settlement on one side of the South Platte River, while the settlement on the other side was known as Auraria. The two settlements eventually merged together as Denver.

The modern city of Denver is composed of a wide variety of different neighborhoods, which range from areas dominated by skyscrapers to those full of historic single family homes and others that are newly developed suburbs. Most of the older neighborhoods are within the center of the city, with the newer suburbs around the edges. Denver is also surrounded by numerous cities and suburbs that are home to many of the commuters who work in the city of Denver.

In addition to the downtown area, there are numerous other commercial areas dispersed throughout the city. Two of the most popular areas for shopping, dining out and entertainment are Cherry Creek and Highland. These are also two of the most sought after residential neighborhoods, particularly due to their recent redevelopment. Other desirable neighborhoods within the city are Park Hill and Five Points.

Denver has an excellent selection of parks and recreational amenities. City Park is one of the largest areas of open space in Denver, although there are more than 200 different parks, each with its own selection of sporting and recreational facilities. Washington Park and Cheesman Park are two of the most popular. Outside the city itself, there are also various mountain park that offer additional space for outdoor activities in a wilder and more natural environment. Red Rocks Park, with its natural rock amphitheater is a favorite with many of the local residents who enjoy attending the regular open air concerts that are held there. Outdoor activities are very popular with residents of the Denver region, due to the proximity of the mountains and the wide selection of parks that exist in the surrounding area. Many people enjoy white water rafting, hiking, sailing, horseback riding and other activities. In addition to its parks, many of the neighborhoods in Denver have recreation centers that offer additional sports facilities and community events.

The city of Denver has a wide range of different attractions, including the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Numerous celebrations and events are held in Denver each year, including Cinco de Mayo celebrations, the annual Dragon Boat Festival and the National Western Stock Show.