Cincinnati, often called "The Queen City," has grown into a major metropolitan area with a rich history as a center for trade and industry. Founded in 1788 along the Ohio River, the city became a gateway to the West, a transportation hub for riverboats, railroads, highways, and bridges, including the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, a precursor to the Brooklyn Bridge. These critical connections drove its early growth as one of the first major inland cities in the United States.

​Cincinnati encompasses all of Hamilton County, creating a geographically cohesive and economically diverse region. The city’s economy thrives on finance, manufacturing, and healthcare, with major companies like Procter & Gamble, Kroger, and Fifth Third Bank headquartered here. Its central location provides easy access to major markets across the Midwest, making it a critical hub for regional commerce.

Known as the birthplace of professional baseball, Cincinnati is home to the Cincinnati Reds, the oldest professional baseball team in the country, founded in 1869. The city hosted the first professional night game in Major League Baseball in 1935 and continues to draw fans to the Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati's deep connection to baseball also includes being the site of the first-ever MLB Opening Day parade, a tradition that continues to this day.

​Culturally, Cincinnati is known for its historic Over-the-Rhine district, one of the largest in the country, and its revitalized urban core. The city is home to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and the iconic Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Cincinnati's food scene is famous for Cincinnati-style chili, often served over spaghetti or hot dogs, and Goetta, a local sausage-and-grain dish that reflects the city’s German heritage.