Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and the seat of Sedgwick County. It is the focus of a metropolitan statistical area that includes Butler and Sedgwick counties. It is located on the Arkansas River in the Central Great Plains. The city's history reflects the major stages of western U.S. development. Wichita first flourished as a cattle town, then as a rail link and milling center for Kansas grain. The economy of Wichita flourished with the discovery oil near the city limits. Today Wichita, three-time winner of the National Civic League's All-America City Award, is an important technology center, particularly in the aviation industry.

The blend of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico with cold air from the Arctic produces a wide range of weather in the Wichita area. Summers are hot and humid while winters are cold but not too harsh. Temperature variations are extreme, reaching above 110 degrees F in the summer and below minus 20 degrees F in the winter. Spring and summer thunderstorms can be severe, accompanied by heavy rain, hail, strong winds, and tornadoes.

Area : 138.93 square miles (2000)

Latitude: 37.69 N, Longitude: 97.34 W

Elevation : 1,300 feet above sea level

Average Temperatures : January, 30.2° F; July, 81.0° F; annual average, 56.4° F

Average Annual Precipitation : 14.48 inches of rain, 15.9 inches of snow

Population : 354,865 (as on July 2005)

Attractions

• Old Cowtown Museum
  
  
• Botanica, The Wichita Gardens
  
  
• Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Other Local festivals

• Asian Festival - May 12-20, 2006
  
  
• Asian Festival - Oct. 28, 2006
  
  
• Fall Blues Crawl - Oct. 1, 2006
  
  
• Kansas Book Festival - Sept. 29-30, 2006
  
  
• Tallgrass Film Festival - Oct. 20-22, 2006