Mayor: Kirk Humphreys (to April 2002)

City Manager: Glen E. Deck

1999 est. population (rank): 475,322 (30)

Land area: 608.2 sq mi. (1,575 sq km);

Alt.: Highest, 1,320 ft.; lowest, 1,140 ft.Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 35.9° F; July, 82.1° F

Churches: Roman Catholic, 25; Jewish, 4; Protestant and others, 741;

City-owned parks: 144 (5,225 ac.);

Television stations: 8;

Radio stations: AM, 10; FM, 14

Civilian Labor Force (1999): 549,730;

Unemployed: 14,079;

Percent: 2.6;

Per capita personal income (MSA) 1998: $23,337

Chamber of Commerce: Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, 123 Park Ave., Oklahoma City, Okla. 73102

Oklahoma City, the state capital and seat of Oklahoma County, is the largest city in Oklahoma. It is located in the central part of the state on the North Canadian River.

Oklahoma City sprang into being almost overnight. On April 22, 1889, the U.S. government threw open the territory for settlement, and there was a rush across the line to stake claims. A sprawling tent city sprang up near the Santa Fe railroad tracks, and within a short time Oklahoma City was a bustling town of 10,000. The city was incorporated in 1890 and replaced Guthrie as the state capital in 1910. Oil was discovered in the city in 1928, and petroleum production became a mainstay of the city's economy.

Oklahoma City is the wholesale and distributing center for the state, and the city's stockyards are the largest stocker and feeder cattle market in the world. Following the decline of the energy sector, Oklahoma City is fostering a private entrepreneurial environment and a more diversified economy. Within the service sector, health services are projected to grow, followed by retail trade and business services. Aerospace, distribution, and telecommunications have been targeted for business attraction. Nearby Tinker Air Force Base, one of the world's largest air depots, is a major city employer.