Kansas City is just like the food it's famous for—delectable, well-seasoned, and unpretentious. And while zesty barbecue and mouthwatering steak have put this Midwestern municipality on the map, Kansas City offers much more than just a great meal.

Located near the geographical center of the country, Kansas City has always capitalized on its prime location. The area was once a gateway for pioneers heading west along the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe trails. Kansas City later served as a pivotal crossroads for American trade, with the advent of the railroad transforming it into a booming business community. Today Kansas City remains a transportation center and is an air, trucking, and rail hub with strong international ties.

Entrepreneur magazine consistently ranks Kansas City among the top U.S. cities for its support of small businesses. And Fortune magazine rates it as one of America’s 20 best cities for international business, noting the area's strengths as accessibility, foreign business affiliations, and trade activity. Kansas City is the headquarters for many large businesses including Hallmark Cards, Sprint, Russell Stover Candies, H&R Block, AMC Theaters, and American Century.

While Kansas City certainly draws some of the world’s most influential corporations, it also attracts those whose passions lie beyond the boardroom. In fact, some of the greatest jazz players in history got their start in the clubs of Kansas City. World-class musicians such as William "Count" Basie, Charlie "Bird" Parker, and Orin "Hot Lips" Page came together to create a sound the town can call its own.

The Kansas City metropolitan area includes cities in both Missouri and Kansas, and some say it takes both states to accommodate the countless entertainment offerings. The approximately 1.8 million residents enjoy everything from world-class museums to professional sporting events, a thriving visual arts community to car racing, classical opera to fine dining.

Kansas City may be set in the heart of America, but it can’t hide its European flair. Known as the City of Fountains, the community has more working water sculptures than any city but Rome. And it boasts more boulevards than Paris.

Kansas City is a community full of flavor – from its vibrant social scene to its rich natural surroundings, bustling neighborhoods to a thriving business community. It’s one of America’s biggest and brightest metropolitan areas. And, of course, when it comes to tantalizing barbecue, Kansas City has no rival.