St. Louis is a globally known locus for research in medicine, biotechnology, and other sciences. Downtown St. Louis is the hub of tourism and entertainment. It is the anchor of the St. Louis Metropolitan area and is the site of many corporate headquarters. Washington University is one of the top research universities in the nation. The City of St. Louis St. Louis is an independent city that is bordered by the Mississippi River on the east and lies at the center of Greater St. Louis, which includes counties in Missouri and Illinois. St. Louis is known for its French and German heritage and is named for King Louis IX of France.

St. Louis Neighborhoods
The city is divided into neighborhoods, which greatly influence each area’s identity. Some neighborhoods have palaces that were built for heads of state visiting the 1904 World's Fair, while others offer bungalows or loft districts. St. Louis housing costs are below the national average and the city has seen a major surge in housing rehabilitation and new construction.

St. Louis Attractions
There are several museums and attractions in the city. Cahokia Mounds the ruins of a city of the ancient Mississippian aboriginal culture. Similar mounds within St. Louis gave the city one of its nicknames, Mound City. St. Louis has long been associated with great ragtime, jazz and blues music. Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the world and the Saint Louis Zoological Park is one of the oldest and largest free-admission zoos in the country. The Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the world's leading botanical research centers. The Gateway Arch is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and is the most recognizable structure in the city.

St. Louis Geography
The city is built primarily on bluffs and terraces that rise above the western banks of the Mississippi River. The area is a fertile prairie that features low hills and valleys with wide flood plains. It has numerous sinkholes, caves and many springs are visible along the riverfront. Forest Park is the site of the 1904 World's fair, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and the 1904 Summer Olympics. Large bird species are abundant in parks and winter populations of Bald Eagles are found by the Mississippi River around the Chain of Rocks Bridge. The city is on the Mississippi Flyway, which is used by migrating birds.

Welcome to the St. Louis County and City, Missouri website, your community on the Internet. Here you will find valuable information about St. Louis County and City including coupons, restaurants, shopping, hotels, local businesses, parks, recreation, government, history, transportation, real estate, public services, dining, arts and entertainment, spas, salons, schools, sports, automotive, banking, shops, healthcare, relocation, travel, tourism, and vacations in Saint Louis County, Saint Louis, Affton, Allenton, Ballwin, Berkeley, Bridgeton, Clayton, Crescent, Earth City, Fenton, Florissant, Frontenac, Glencoe, Grover, Hazelwood, Jennings, Kinloch, Lambert Airport, Lemay, Richmond Heights, Sappington, Bel-Nor, Bel-Ridge, Bellerive, Beverly Hills, Breckenridge Hills, Brentwood, Charlack, Glen Echo Park, Glendale, Greendale, Hanley, Hills, Hillsdale, Huntleigh, Kirkwood, Ladue, Maplewood, Normandy, Northwoods, Norwood Court, Oakland, Olivette, Overland, Pagedale, Pasadena Hills, Pasadena Park, Pine Lawn, Rock Hill, Sycamore Hills, University City, Uplands Park, Velda City, Velda Village Hills, Vinita Park, Vinita Terrace, Warson, Woods, Wellston, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Black Jack, Bridgeton, Calverton Park, Champ, Cool Valley, Country Club Hills, Dellwood, Edmundson, Ferguson, Flordell Hills, Hazelwood, Jennings, Kinloch, Moline Acres, Riverview, Saint Ann, Saint John, Woodson Terrace, Bella Villa, Crestwood, Fenton, Grantwood Village, Green Park, Lakeshire, Mackenzie, Marlborough, Saint George, Shrewsbury, Sunset Hills, Webster Groves, Wilbur Park, Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Country Life Acres, Creve, Coeur, Crystal Lake, Park Des Peres, Ellisville, Eureka, Manchester, Maryland Heights, Pacific, Town and Country, Twin Oaks, Valley Park, Westwood, Wildwood and Winchester. Places of interest in St. Louis County and City include Mississippi River, Washington University, Forest Park, Chain of Rocks Bridge, Mississippi Flyway, Cahokia Mounds, Mound City, Bella Fontaine, Castlepoint, Cliff Cave, Fort Bellefontaine, Kiener Plaza, May Amphitheater, Gateway Mall, Eternal Flame Park, Washington Square Park, Botanical Garden, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and the Gateway Arch.