Kansas City is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had an estimated population of 488,943 in 2017, making it the 37th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central city of the Kansas City metropolitan area, which straddles the Kansas–Missouri border. Kansas City was founded in the 1830s as a Missouri River port at its confluence with the Kansas River coming in from the west. On June 1, 1850, the city was incorporated as a city and became an important railroad hub in the transcontinental railroad network. With the growth of the railroad industry, the city became a center of commerce and industry.Today, Kansas City is a thriving metropolis with a diverse economy. The city is home to several major corporations, including Sprint, Cerner, AMC Theatres, and H&R Block. The city is also known for its cuisine, with several local specialties such as Kansas City-style barbecue and Kansas City strip steak. The city is also home to a number of professional sports teams, including the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. Kansas City is located in the Midwestern United States at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers. The city is situated on the Missouri River in the geographic center of the United States, making it a transportation crossroads. The city is about equidistant from the cities of St. Louis, Missouri, to the east, and Denver, Colorado, to the west. The city is about 10 hours north of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and about 12 hours south of Des Moines, Iowa.The climate of Kansas City is a humid continental climate, with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with moderate temperatures in the spring and fall, and hot, humid summers. The average high temperature in July is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), and the average low temperature in January is about 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius).There are a number of popular attractions in Kansas City, Missouri. The city is home to the Kansas City Zoo, the Sea Life Aquarium, the Worlds of Fun amusement park, and the Legoland Discovery Center. The city also has a number of museums, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kansas City Museum, and the National World War I Museum and Memorial.Downtown Kansas City is a vibrant and bustling area, with a number of businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The area is also home to a number of hotels, and is a popular destination for tourists. Parking in downtown Kansas City can be a challenge, but there are a number of public parking garages and parking meters.