Boston, the capital and largest city in Massachusetts, is one of the oldest and wealthiest cities in the nation. Founded by Puritans and having played a major role in the American Revolution, Boston is a city steeped in American history. Dozens of old churches and townhouses line the streets of Boston; and Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution and the ship that hosted the Boston Tea Party are all a part of America's past found in Boston.
Boston has a population of around 570,000, and is a haven for university life, with over sixty colleges calling the greater Boston area home. Harvard University, in neighboring Cambridge, is the oldest college in the country, and is consistently recognized as the most prestigious Ivy League institution in the United States. Boston College and Boston University are two other notables in the area adding to the young vibe of the city.
Boston is home to a number of business headquarters from finance to publishing and packaged goods. It is known as an intellectual and political hub and offers a wealth of economic opportunity. The high cost of living in the area reflects both its prominence as the capital of New England and the high standards of old money neighborhoods like Beacon Hill and Back Bay.
Boston is a popular shopping destination with exclusive Newbury Street offering up designer stores and boutiques, while Copley Place has an opulent variety of stylish European stores as well as upscale department chains. Quincy Market at Faneuil Hall has an unparallel line-up of eateries and food stalls, while the North and South markets feature additional restaurants as well as chain stores and specialty shops.
Fenway Park, one of the most notable baseball stadiums in the country, hosts the Boston Red Sox. The Fenway, a stretch of area housing Symphony Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts, is a popular destination for visitors.
Neighboring Cambridge lies just across the Charles River from Boston. Home to Harvard and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Cambridge is drenched in intellectual stimulation, from its museums and bookstores to the student activity in Harvard Yard.
Logan International Airport serves the city, and public transportation is available via the "T," Boston's subway system. Buses, commuter trains and water ferries make Boston a very efficient and accessible city.
Boston is in eastern central Massachusetts, and is in the center of the Greater Boston area, composed of outer cities Brookline, Newton, Cambridge and Quincy. The Charles River separates Boston from Cambridge, and Boston Harbor lies east of the city.