Heading into a new millennium, Cleveland combines big city bustle with small town charm.

However, the land which would one day be the site of Ohio's business and industrial center was originally part of the Western Reserve territory which had been granted to the colony of Connecticut by the British crown in the seventeenth century.

In 1796, the Connecticut Land Company sent a team of surveyors led by General Moses Cleveland to assess the area. At the mouth of the Cuyahoga (meaning "crooked") River, Cleveland founded a small frontier village that would come to bear an adapted version of his name. It was not until many years later the Cleveland began to develop into the region's commercial headquarters. The opening of the Ohio and Erie Canals in 1832 made Cleveland a gateway for shipping. Then, the advent of the Civil War increased the demand for machinery, railroad equipment, ships and other items that the city could supply.

This strong business base, as well as the interest and philanthropy of such industrial giants as Rockefeller, Case, Hanna, Wade and Mather enabled Cleveland to develop as great a concentration of cultural facilities as any city its size in the country. The world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art are only two of the city's many artistic offerings. University Circle, where both are located, is a unique 500-acre complex dedicated to art, education, medicine, research and religion.

For the nature and wildlife enthusiast, Cleveland offers its 19,000-acre Metropark System. Often referred to as the Emerald Necklace, the park surrounds the city and provides recreation facilities, including a marina and boat-launch, tennis courts, riding areas, golf courses and bike trails. The Metropark System also serves as a wildlife sanctuary and has education displays as well as a museum. Cleveland's Zoo, located at Brookside Park on the city's west side, also is part of the Metropark System.

The entertainment picture of Cleveland is no less impressive than the other factors that have contributed to making the city great. Cleveland is home to the Allen, State, Ohio and Palace Theaters - collectively known as Playhouse Square Center - where Broadway shows appear year-round. In addition, Cleveland's Flats and historic Warehouse District have been transformed into a nightlife, residential and entertainment center.

One of the newest additions to Cleveland is also one of the most well known tourist attractions already. The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, which opened in September of 1995, boasted over 1 million visitors in its first year. Adjacent to the Rock Hall sits the Great Lakes Science Museum, a state-of-the-art facility that includes an OmniSound Theater.

Greater Cleveland also has a full range of spectator sports. The return of the NFL's Cleveland Browns and newly built Cleveland Stadium highlight the sports scene in the new millennium. However, other major league teams include the Cleveland Indians, Rockers and Cavaliers. Those three have facilities in the Gateway complex. The Indians, the 1999 Central Division Champions in the American League, call Jacobs Field home while the NBA's Cavaliers, WNBA's Rockers and the Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League play next door at Gund Arena. The Crunch, a National Professional Soccer League team, plays its home schedule at the Cleveland State University Convocation Center. In addition, the city hosts the CVS Marathon in the spring, the Cleveland Grand Prix CART Series event in the summer and the Cleveland National Air Show every Labor Day weekend.

Greater Cleveland Facts

Founded: In 1796 by Moses Cleaveland
Population: More than 2.7 million, making Cleveland the 12th largest metropolitan area in the country
Media: Seven TV stations, including all major affiliates, 22 AM stations, 31 FM radio stations, the Cleveland Plain Dealer (daily), Lake Co. News Herald (daily), Sun Newspapers (weekly)
Transportation: By auto, I-90 (E/W), I-77 (S), I-71 (S), the Ohio Turnpike (I-80, E/W). Cleveland also is served by Greyhound and Amtrak and is home to Hopkins International Airport.
Arts & Entertainment: Cleveland Playhouse, Cleveland Orchestra, Blossom Music Center, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Opera, Front Row Theater, Cleveland Ballet, Metroparks Zoo, Geauga Lake, Sea World, Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Museum.
Spectator Sports: Browns (NFL), Indians (MLB-AL), Rockers (WNBA), Cavaliers (NBA), Lumberjacks (IHL), Crunch (NPSL), Northfield Park (harness racing), Thistledown (thoroughbred racing)