City of Parma
—  City  —
Stearns Homestead
Location of Parma in Ohio
Location of Parma in Cuyahoga County (County Council District 4) Location of Parma in Cuyahoga County (County Council District 4)
Coordinates: 41°23′31″N 81°43′43″W / 41.39194°N 81.72861°W / 41.39194; -81.72861Coordinates: 41°23′31″N 81°43′43″W / 41.39194°N 81.72861°W / 41.39194; -81.72861
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Cuyahoga
Founded	1816
Township	March 7, 1826
Incorporated	Fall, 1924 (village) & January 1, 1931 (city)
Government
• Mayor	Timothy J. DeGeeter
Area
• City	20.0 sq mi (51.7 km2)
• Land	20.0 sq mi (51.7 km2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation	866 ft (264 m)
Population (2010)
• City	81,601
• Metro	2,077,240
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s)	440 216
FIPS code	39-61000[1]
GNIS feature ID	1049063
Website	http://www.cityofparma-oh.gov

Parma is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is the largest suburb of Cleveland and the seventh largest city in the state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 81,601.^[2]

History[link]

Parma is southwest of Cleveland; it is bounded by Cleveland and Brooklyn on the north, Brooklyn Heights, and Seven Hills on the east, North Royalton and Broadview Heights on the south, and Brook Park, Middleburg Heights, and Parma Heights on the west. Parma was originally part of Parma Township, created on March 7, 1826. The first settlers were the Benaiah Fay family from New York state, who settled along the Cleveland-Columbus Road in 1816. The name was taken from Parma, New York, where it was probably derived from the early 19th century fascination with classical Italy. During the 19th century, Parma remained largely agricultural. In 1912, a portion of the township seceded to form the village of Parma Heights. In the fall of 1924, Parma was incorporated as a village, and in 1926 it adopted the mayor-council form of government. On January 1, 1931, a proposition to annex it to the city of Cleveland was defeated, and Parma became a city. The water-supply reservoir in Parma Reservoir Park, planned in the 1920s and completed in 1936 using WPA labor, is still in use today.^[3]

Parma's tremendous growth came after World War II as young families began moving from Cleveland into the suburbs. During the Cold War, Parma's Nike Site Park, now James Day Park, housed Nike missiles located in underground silos.^[4][5] Between 1950 and 1960, Parma's population soared from 28,897 to 82,845 (during the 1960s it was the fastest growing city in the U.S.). The population peaked in 1970 at 100,216 before falling to the 2010 population of 81,601.^[6]

Parma was, throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the butt of jokes by local movie show hosts Ghoulardi, Big Chuck & Little John, and The Ghoul, due to its Eastern Europe and, most specifically, Polish, make-up. Ghoulardi famously made a series of shorts called "Parma Place." The jokes dealt with Parmans' alleged love of white socks, pink flamingos, chrome balls, kielbasa and pierogi and the polka.^[7]

A section of Parma is named "Ukrainian Village".

Geography[link]

Parma is located at 41°23′31″N 81°43′43″W / 41.39194°N 81.72861°W / 41.39194; -81.72861 (41.391852, -81.728502).^[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.0 square miles (52 km²), of which 20.0 square miles (52 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) is water.

Two major changes and developments have recently occurred regarding several principal sites within the city:

1. The West Creek Preservation Agency has worked to preserve various historic and natural sites in the city, including the Henninger House and the West Creek Watershed.^[9]
2. Henninger House, the oldest home in Parma, which was built in 1849, is planned to be part of the proposed Quarry Creek Historic District.^[10]

Demographics[link]

As of the census of 2000,^[1] there were 85,655 people, 35,126 households, and 23,323 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,291.4 people per square mile (1,656.9/km²). There were 36,414 housing units at an average density of 1,824.3 per square mile (704.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.67% White, 1.06% Black, 0.14% Native American, 1.57% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 35,126 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,920, and the median income for a family was $52,436. Males had a median income of $39,801 versus $27,701 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,293. About 3.3% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Crime[link]

Parma ranks as one of the safest cities in the United States with a population between 60,000 and 100,000. Parma's ranking has declined in recent years from 17th safest to 19th safest. As of 3 November 2006, the rank has fallen further to 32nd.^[11]

Transportation[link]

Parma's major north-south roads, in order from west to east, are:

• West 130th Street, which forms part of the western border of Parma,
• Chevrolet Boulevard/Stumph Road/York Road,
• Ridge Road (State Route 3),
• State Road (State Route 94),
• West 54th Street,
• Broadview Road (State Route 176), which forms part of the eastern boundary of Parma. The State Route 176 designation continues northward via the Jennings Freeway, connecting Parma to downtown Cleveland.

Its major east-west roads, in order from north to south, are:

• I-480, running just north of Parma's northern border,
• Brookpark Road (State Route 17), forming Parma's northern border with Cleveland,
• Snow Road,
• West Ridgewood Drive,
• West Pleasant Valley Road, and
• Sprague Road, which forms the southern border of Parma.

Also, Pearl Road (U.S. Route 42) runs from southwest to northeast through northern Parma for less than two miles.

Public transportation in Parma includes bus routes operated by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, which serves the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County suburbs.^[12]

Economy[link]

During the population boom between 1950 and 1980, Parma's commercial sector grew to match its residential sector. Since the 1950s, Parma has fostered the growth of many small businesses and been an operating hub for such well-known companies as General Motors, the Union Carbide Research Center (now GrafTech International) and Cox Cable Television.^[13]

Located close to the city's town hall is Parmatown Mall, which is the location of the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce.

Education[link]

The city contains three public high schools: Parma Senior High School, and Normandy High School. Valley Forge High School, though part of the same district, is located in Parma Heights, Ohio. The schools share a common stadium for football and track events, called Byers Field. The rivalry that exists between these schools is well documented.^[14] Normandy High School is located in the southeastern part of the city, and its population is made up of students from south Parma, and Seven Hills. Valley Forge is located in the southwestern portion of Parma Heights, and includes students from southwestern Parma, as well as Parma Heights. Parma High School is located in the center of the city, and includes students from central and northern Parma.

Each high school has a corresponding middle school, and each middle school has a specific group of elementary schools. Together, each set of schools is known as a "cluster."

The city also is home to a private Catholic high school, Padua Franciscan High School. Founded in 1961 as a school for boys, Padua Franciscan became co-educational in 1983. Padua's principal rivalry is with Holy Name High School, located in nearby Parma Heights.^[15]

The city also is home to Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus.

Television and radio towers[link]

Parma is the location of most of the Cleveland area's television and FM radio transmission towers.

When Cleveland started to get television service in the late 1940s, WEWS-TV (Channel 5), the first television station in Ohio, picked a site on State Road. At the time, Parma was transitioning from a rural enclave to an urban area. Parma was selected for its high elevation. At almost 1,100 feet above sea level, it is 500 feet higher than downtown Cleveland. Other local stations followed, and nearly all local TV and FM radio outlets broadcast from Parma, or from other nearby suburbs.

The television towers are taller than downtown Cleveland's tallest buildings, and can be seen from great distance in Cleveland, and most of its southern suburbs. Airline pilots and broadcast experts call the collection of towers in and near Parma the Cleveland area's "antenna farm". Parma is second from Los Angeles's Mount Wilson (California) with concentration of antennas and transmitters.^{[citation needed]}

Heights of Parma's television towers[link]

• WEWS-TV 5 (ABC) - 1,060 feet (State Road)
• WJW-TV 8 (FOX) - 1,080 feet (Pleasant Valley Road at State Road)
• WOIO-TV 19 (CBS) - 1,149 feet (Broadview Road)
• WKYC 3 (NBC) - 1,150 feet (Broadview Road) To be replaced in the spring 2009 and shared with WVIZ-TV
• WBNX-TV 55 (CW) - 1,020 feet (West Ridgewood Drive)
• WQHS-TV 61 (Univisión) - 916 feet (Hawthorne Drive)
• WUAB 43 (My) - 915 feet (Bruening Drive)

Mayors[link]

Notable natives[link]

• Michael Bierut, graphic designer, National President AIGA (1998–2001), Pentagram Partner
• Hector Boiardi, better known as Chef Boyardee, died in Parma in 1985.
• Carmen Cozza, football coach at Yale University.
• Timothy DeGeeter, state representative
• Dan Fritsche, NHL, Minnesota Wild
• Tom Fritsche, NHL, Prospect of Colorado Avalanche
• Mike Garcia, (starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians in the 1950s—he ran "Big Bear Cleaners" in Parma, Ohio)
• Erich Gliebe, CEO and acting chair of the white supremacist National Alliance, professional boxer known as the Aryan Barbarian
• Michael T. Good, NASA astronaut
• Brian Holzinger, NHL, Buffalo Sabres
• James Hoye, umpire in Major League Baseball
• William Kowalski, prolific author and educator.
• Ted Levine, actor (Silence of the Lambs, The Mangler, Monk, The Hills Have Eyes)
• James A. Lovell, NASA Astronaut (Apollo 13 mission) (a native of Cleveland, he spent part of his youth on Parma's north side)
• Mike Mizanin, former WWE Champion, Professional WWE Wrestler known under the ring name The Miz
• Clint Nageotte, professional baseball player
• Ransom E. Olds, automotive pioneer lived in Parma as a boy from 1874 to 1878.^[18]
• Kermit Poling, conductor, violinist and composer; Music Director of the South Arkansas Symphony; concertmaster of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra^[19]
• John D. Rockefeller, founded Standard Oil Company
• Frank Romano, guitarist, songwriter and record producer
• Alan Ruck, actor (Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Spin City), graduate of Parma High

Surrounding communities[link]

		Brooklyn, Cleveland
	Brook Park, Middleburg Heights, Parma Heights		Seven Hills, Brooklyn Heights
		Parma    East
		North Royalton, Broadview Heights

References[link]

References for Police Chiefs:

• Law Enforcement News
• RECORD REVOLUTION No. 6, INC., Plaintiff-Appellant, v. THE CITY OF PARMA, et al., Defendant-Appellee

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Parma, Ohio

• City of Parma
• Parma Area Chamber of Commerce
• City Data

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Parma
—  Comune  —
Comune di Parma
Palazzo del Governatore, Parma
Coat of arms
Parma Location of Parma in Italy
Coordinates: 44°48′N 10°20′E / 44.8°N 10.333°E / 44.8; 10.333Coordinates: 44°48′N 10°20′E / 44.8°N 10.333°E / 44.8; 10.333
Country	Italy
Region	Emilia-Romagna
Province	Parma (PR)
Frazioni	See list
Government
• Mayor	Federico Pizzarotti (M5S)
Area
• Total	260.77 km2 (100.68 sq mi)
Elevation	55 m (180 ft)
Population (28 February 2011)
• Total	187,214
• Density	720/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Demonym	Parmigiani (Pram'zan) (Parmensi (Arijoz) are called the province's inhabitants)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	43121-43126
Dialing code	0521
Patron saint	Sant'Ilario di Poitiers, Sant'Onorato, San Rocco
Saint day	January 13
Website	Official website

Parma  listen (help·info) (Emilian: Pärma) is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its prosciutto, cheese, architecture and surrounding countryside. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world. Parma is divided into two parts by the little stream with the same name. Parma's Etruscan name was adapted by Romans to describe the round shield called Parma.

The Italian poet Attilio Bertolucci (born in a hamlet in the countryside) wrote: "As a capital city it had to have a river. As a little capital it received a stream, which is often dry". The district on the far side of the river is Oltretorrente.

History[link]

Prehistory[link]

Parma was already a built-up area in the Bronze Age. It has been verified by now that in the current position of the city rose a terramare. The "terramare" (marl earth) were ancient villages in structural wood on pile-dwelling built according to a defined scheme and squared form, built on the dry land, generally in proximity of the rivers. During this age (among the 1500 BC and the 800 BC) the first necropolises (placed where stand the present-day Piazza Duomo and Millstone Square) rose also.

Antiquity[link]

The city was most probably founded and named by the Etruscans, for a parma (circular shield) was a Latin borrowing, as were many Roman terms for particular arms, and Parmeal, Parmni and Parmnial are names that appear in Etruscan inscriptions. Diodorus Siculus (XXII, 2,2; XXVIII, 2,1) reported that the Romans had changed their rectangular shields for round ones, imitating the Etruscans. Whether the Etruscan encampment was so named because it was round, like a shield, or whether its situation was a shield against the Gauls to the north, is uncertain.

The Roman colony was founded in 183 BC, together with Mutina (Modena); 2,000 families were settled. Parma had a certain importance as a road hub over the Via Aemilia and the Via Claudia. It had a forum, in what is today the central Garibaldi Square. In 44 BC, the city was destroyed, and Augustus rebuilt it. During the Roman Empire, it gained the title of Julia for its loyalty to the imperial house.

The city was subsequently sacked by Attila, and later given by the barbarian king Odoacer to his fellows. During the Gothic War, however, Totila destroyed it. It was then part of the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna (changing name to Chrysopolis, "Golden City", probably due to the presence of the imperial treasury) and, from 569, of the Lombard Kingdom of Italy. During the Middle Ages, Parma became an important stage of the Via Francigena, the main road connecting Rome to Northern Europe; several castles, hospitals and inns were built in the following centuries to host the increasing number of pilgrims who passed by Parma and Fidenza, following the Apennines via Collecchio, Berceto and the Corchia ranges before descending the Passo della Cisa into Tuscany, heading finally south toward Rome.

Middle Ages[link]

Baptistery of Parma, 1196-1270

Under the Frankish rule, Parma became the capital of a county (774). Like most northern Italian cities, it was nominally a part of the Holy Roman Empire created by Charlemagne, but locally ruled by its bishops, the first being Guibodus. In the subsequent struggles between the Papacy and the Empire, Parma was usually a member of the Imperial party. Two of its bishops became antipopes: Càdalo, founder of the cathedral, as Honorius II); and Guibert, as Clement III). An almost independent commune was created around 1140; a treaty between Parma and Piacenza of 1149 is the earliest document of a comune headed by consuls.^[1] After the Peace of Constance (1183) confirmed the Italian communes' rights of self-governance, long-standing quarrels with the neighbouring communes of Reggio Emilia, Piacenza and Cremona became harsher, with the aim of controlling the vital trading line over the Po River.

The struggle between Guelphs and Ghibellines was a feature of Parma too. In 1213, her podestà was the Guelph Rambertino Buvalelli. Then, after a long stance alongside the emperors, the Papist families of the city gained control in 1248. The city was besieged in 1247–48 by Emperor Frederick II, who was however crushed in the battle that ensued.

Modern era[link]

Parma in the 15th century

Parma fell under the control of Milan in 1341. After a short-lived period of independence under the Terzi family (1404–1409), Sforza imposed their rule (1440–1449) through their associated families of Pallavicino, Rossi, Sanvitale and Da Correggio. These created a kind of new feudalism, building towers and castles throughout the city and the land. These fiefs evolved into truly independent states: the Landi governed the higher Taro's valley from 1257 to 1682. The Pallavicino seignory extended over the eastern part of today's province, with the capital in Busseto. Parma's territories were an exception for Northern Italy, as its feudal subdivision frequently continued until more recent years. For example, Solignano was a Pallavicino family possession until 1805, and San Secondo belonged to the Rossi well into the 19th century.

Between the 14th and the 15th centuries, Parma was at the centre of the Italian Wars. The Battle of Fornovo was fought in its territory. The French held the city in 1500–1521, with a short Papal parenthesis in 1512–1515. After the foreigners were expelled, Parma belonged to the Papal States until 1545.

In that year the Farnese pope, Paul III, detached Parma and Piacenza from the Papal States and gave them as a duchy for his illegitimate son, Pier Luigi Farnese, whose descendants ruled in Parma until 1731, when Antonio Farnese (1679–1731), last male of the Farnese line, died. In the Treaty of London (1718) it was promulgated that the heir to the duchy would be Elisabeth Farnese's elder son with Philip V of Spain, Don Carlos. In 1731, the fifteen-year-old Don Carlos became Charles I Duke of Parma and Piacenza, at the death of his childless great uncle Antonio Farnese. In 1734, Charles I conquered the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, and was crowned as the King of Naples and Sicily on 3 July 1735, leaving the Duchy of Parma to his brother Philip (Filippo I di Borbone-Parma).

View of Palazzo della Pilotta in the Piazza della Pace. The rebuilt part on the right is where once was the church of St.Peter. The large hole was caused by an Allies bombing.

In 1594 a constitution was promulgated, the University enhanced and the Nobles' College founded. The war to reduce the barons' power continued for several years: in 1612 Barbara Sanseverino was executed in the central square of Parma, together with six other nobles charged of plotting against the duke. At the end of the 17th century, after the defeat of Pallavicini (1588) and Landi (1682) the Farnese duke could finally hold with firm hand all Parmense territories. The castle of the Sanseverino in Colorno was turned into a luxurious summer palace by Ferdinando Bibiena.

In 1731 the combined Duchy of Parma and Piacenza was given to the House of Bourbon in a diplomatic shuffle of the European dynastic politics that were played out in Italy. Under the new rulers, however, it faced a certain decadence. In 1734 all the outstanding art collections of the duke's palaces of Parma, Colorno and Sala Baganza were moved to Naples.

Parma was under French influence after the Peace of Aachen (1748). Parma became a modern state with the energetic action of prime minister Guillaume du Tillot. He created the bases for a modern industry and fought strenuously against the church's privileges. The city lived a period of particular splendour: the Biblioteca Palatina (Palatine Library), the Archaeological Museum, the Picture Gallery and the Botanical Garden were founded, together with the Royal Printing Works directed by Giambattista Bodoni.

Contemporary age[link]

Parma in 1832

During the Napoleonic Wars (1802–1814), Parma was part of the Taro Département. Under its French name Parme, it was also created a duché grand-fief de l'Empire for Charles-François Lebrun, duc de Plaisance, the Emperor's Arch-Treasurer, on 24 April 1808 (extinguished 1926).

After its restoration by the 1814–15 Vienna Congress, the Risorgimento's upheavals had no fertile ground in the tranquil duchy. In 1847, after Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma's death, it passed again to the Bourbons, the last of whom was stabbed in the city and left it to his Widow, Luisa Maria of Berry. On September 15, 1859 the dynasty was declared deposed, and Parma entered in the newly formed provinces of Emilia under Luigi Carlo Farini. With the plebiscite of 1860 the former duchy became part of the unified Kingdom of Italy.

The loss of the capital role provoked an economical and social crisis in Parma. It started to recover its role of industrial prominence after the connection with Piacenza and Bologna of 1859, and with Fornovo and Suzzara in 1883. Trade unions were strong in the city, in which a famous General Strike was declared from May 1 to June 6, 1908. The struggle with Fascism lived its most dramatic moment in the August 1922, when the regime officer Italo Balbo attempted to enter in the popular quarter of Oltretorrente. The citizens organized into the Arditi del Popolo ("People's assaulters") and pushed back the squadristi. This episode is considered the first example of Resistance in Italy.

During World War II, Parma was a strong centre of partisan resistance. The train station and marshalling yards were targets for high altitude bombing by the Allies in the spring of 1944. Much of the Palazzo della Pilotta — situated not far (half a mile) from the train station — was destroyed. Along with it also Teatro Farnese and part of Biblioteca Palatina were destroyed by Allied bombs. Several other monuments were also damaged: Palazzo del Giardino, Steccata church, San Giovanni church, Palazzo Ducale, Paganini theater and the monument to Verdi. However Parma did not see widespread destruction during the war. Parma was liberated of the German occupation (1943–1945) on April 26, 1945 by the partisan resistance and troops of Brazilian Expeditionary Force.^[2] Recently Parma was chosen for the setting of John Grisham's American football comedy Playing for Pizza.

Main sights[link]

Late Mannerist façade of the church of San Giovanni Evangelista, by Simone Moschino (1604), with sculpture by Giambattista Carra da Bissone^[3]

Façade of the church of San Francesco. It was the city's jail.

Churches[link]

• The Romanesque Cathedral houses both 12th century sculpture by Benedetto Antelami and a 16th century fresco masterpiece by Antonio da Correggio.
• The Baptistery, adjacent to the cathedral was begun in 1196 by Antelami.
• The abbey church of Saint John the Evangelist (San Giovanni Evangelista), was originally constructed in the 10th century behind the Cathedral's apse, but had to be rebuilt in 1498 and 1510 after a fire. It has a late Mannerist facade and a belltower designed by Simone Moschino), and retains its Latin cross plan, a nave and two aisles. In 1520–1522, Correggio frescoed the dome with the Vision of St. John the Evangelist, a highly influential fresco which heralded illustionistic perspective in the decoration of church ceilings. Bernardo Falconi designed a putto in the high altar. Also the cloisters and the ancient Benedictine grocery are noteworthy. The library has books from the 15th and 16th centuries.
• Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata.
• The Benedictine Monastery of San Paolo, founded in the 11th century. It houses precious frescoes by Correggio, in the so-called Camera di San Paolo (1519–1520), and Alessandro Araldi.
• The Gothic church of San Francesco del Prato (13th century). From Napoleonic era to 1990s it was the city's jail, for which the 16 windows in the facade were opened. The original rose windows (1461) has 16 rays, which, in the medieval tradition, represented the house of God. The Oratory of the Concezione houses frescoes by Michelangelo Anselmi and Francesco Rondani. The altarpiece by Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli is now in the National Gallery of Parma.
• Church of Santa Croce, dating to the early 12th century. The original edifice, in Romanesque style, had a nave and two aisles with a semicircular apse. This was renovated first in 1415 and again in 1635–1666, with the heightening of the aisles and nave, the addition of a bresbytery, a dome and of the chapel of St. Joseph. The frescoes in the nave (by Giovanni Maria Conti della Camera, Francesco Reti and Antonio Lombardi) date to this period.
• Church of San Sepolcro, built in 1275 over a pre-existing religious edifice. The church was largely renovated in 1506, 1603 and 1701, when the side on the Via Emilia was remade in Neoclassicist style. The church has a nave with side chapels. The Baroque bell tower was built in 1616, the cups being finished in 1753. Annexed is the former monastery of the Rrgular Canons of the Lateran, dating to 1493–1495.
• Church of Santa Maria del Quartiere (1604–1619), characterized by a usual hexagonal plan. The cupola is decorated with frescoes by Pier Antonio Bernabei and his pupils.

Palaces[link]

• The Palazzo della Pilotta (1583). It houses the Academy of Fine Arts with artists of the School of Parma, the Palatine Library, the National Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, the Bodoni Museum^[4] and the Farnese Theatre.
• The Ducal Palace, built from 1561 for Duke Ottavio Farnese on a design by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola. Built on the former Sforza castle area, it was enlarged in the 17th–18th centuries. It includes the Palazzo Eucherio Sanvitale, with interesting decorations dating from the 16th centuries and attributed to Gianfrancesco d'Agrate, and a fresco by Parmigianino. Annexed is the Ducal Park also by Vignola. It was turned into a French-style garden in 1749.
• The Palazzo del Comune, built in 1627.
• The Palazzo del Governatore ("Governor's Palace"), dating from the 13th century.
• The Bishop's Palace (1055).
• Ospedale Vecchio ("Old Hospital"), created in 1250 and later renovated in Renaissance times. It is now home to the State Archives and to the Communal Library.

Other[link]

• The Teatro Farnese was constructed in 1618–1619 by Giovan Battista Aleotti, totally in wood. It was commissioned by Duke Ranuccio I for the visit of Cosimo I de' Medici.
• The Cittadella, a large fortress erected in the 16th century by order of Duke Alessandro Farnese, close to the old walls.
• The Pons Lapidis (also known as Roman Bridge or Theoderic's Bridge), a Roman structure in stone dating from Augustus reign.
• The Orto Botanico di Parma is a botanical garden maintained by the University of Parma.
• The Teatro Regio ("Royal Theatre"), built in 1821–1829 by Nicola Bettoli. It has a Neo-Classical facade and a porch with double window order. It is the city's opera house.
• The Auditorium Niccolò Paganini, designed by Renzo Piano.
• The Museum House of Arturo Toscanini, where the famous musician was born.
• Museo Lombardi. It exhibits a prestigious collection of art and historical items regarding Maria Luigia of Habsburg and her first husband Napoleon Bonaparte; important works and documents concerning the Duchy of Parma in the 18th and 19th centuries are also kept by the Museum.

[edit] Frazioni

Opera

Alberi, Baganzola, Beneceto, Botteghino, Ca'Terzi, Calestani, Carignano, Carpaneto, Cartiera, Casalbaroncolo, Casalora di Ravadese, Casaltone, Case Capelli, Case Cocconi, Case Crostolo, Case Nuove, Case Rosse, Case Vecchie, Casino dalla Rosa, Casagnola, Castelletto, Castelnovo, Cervara, Chiozzola, Coloreto, Corcagnano, Eia, Fontanini, Fontanellato, Gaione, Ghiaiata Nuova, Il Moro, La Catena, La Palazzina, Malandriano, Marano, Marore, Martorano, Molino di Malandriano, Osteria San Martino, Panocchia, Paradigna, Pedrignano, Pilastrello, Pizzolese, Ponte, Porporano, Pozzetto Piccolo, Quercioli, Ravadese, Ronco Pascolo, Rosa, San Pancrazio, San Prospero, San Ruffino, San Secondo, Sissa, Soragna, Sorbolo, Valera, Viarolo, Viazza, Vicofertile, Vicomero, Vigatto, Vigheffio, Vigolante.

Demographics[link]

In 2007, there were 177,069 people residing in Parma located in the province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna, of whom 47.4% were male and 52.6% were female. Minors (children ages 18 and younger) totalled 14.87% of the population compared to pensioners who numbered 22.90%. This compares with the Italian average of 18.06% (minors) and 19.94% (pensioners). The average age of a Parma resident is 46 compared to the Italian average of 42. In the five years between 2002 and 2007, the population of Parma experienced 6.97% growth, while Italy as a whole grew by 3.56%.^[5][6] The current birth rate of Parma is 8.53 births per 1,000 inhabitants compared to the Italian average of 9.45 births.

As of 2006, 90.91% of the population was Italian. The largest foreign group came from other parts of Europe (namely Albania, Romania, and Ukraine): 3.61%, followed by Sub-Saharan Africa (namely Ghana): 1.86%, and North Africa: 1.44%. Approximately 17.9% of newborns has at least one parent of foreign origins, compared to the Italian average of 10.3%.^[7]

Food and cuisine[link]

Parma is famous for its food and rich gastronomical tradition: Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (also produced in Reggio Emilia), Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham). Parma claims several stuffed pasta dishes like "tortelli d'erbetta" and "anolini in brodo".

In 2004 Parma was appointed the seat of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Parma also has two food multinationals, Barilla and Parmalat and a food tourism sector represented by Parma Golosa and Food Valley.

• 

  Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, the true "parmesan"

• 

  Prosciutto di Parma (cured ham)

• 

  Tortelli d'erbetta

• 

  Anolini in brodo(broth)

International relations[link]

Twin towns — Sister cities[link]

Parma is twinned with:

• Shijiazhuang, China
• Milwaukee, United States
• Guadalajara, Mexico
• Bourg-en-Bresse, France
• Tours, France
• Guadalajara, Spain
• Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Worms, Germany
• Szeged, Hungary
• Moncton, Canada
• Stockton, United States

Sport[link]

Parma F.C. was founded in 1913. It is a Serie A football club renowned in Italy and Europe for its successes including three national cups, a European Cup Winner's Cup, two UEFA Cups, a European Supercup and an Italian Supercup. It plays in the city's stade Ennio Tardini which used to host up to 29,000 spectators but is being renovated in 2008 after the club was demoted to Serie B. In spring 2009 the team was promoted again in the top league (Serie A).

Parma is also home to two rugby union teams in the top national division, Overmach Rugby Parma and SKG Gran Rugby.

Parma Panthers is the Parma American football team for which John Grisham's book Playing for Pizza was based.

Also volleyball, women basketball and baseball have large popularity in the city and have scored relevant successes.

Transport[link]

Parma railway station is on the Milan–Bologna railway.

The Parma trolleybus system has been in operation since 1953. It replaced an earlier tramway network, and presently comprises four trolleybus routes.

Aeroporto Internazionale di Parma, Parma's airport, offers commercial flights to cities in a number of European countries.

Famous people[link]

Detail of Correggio's frescoes in the Camera di San Paolo

Painters and sculptors[link]

• Francesco Mazzola, best known as Il Parmigianino, painter
• Sisto Badalocchio, painter
• Alessandro Araldi, painter
• Michelangelo Anselmi, painter born in Tuscany
• Giovanni Maria Francesco Rondani, painter
• Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli, painter
• Filippo Mazzola, painter
• Antonio da Correggio (Antonio Allegri), painter born in Correggio (Reggio Emilia)
• Benedetto Antelami
• Giacomo (or Jacopo) Zanguidi ( Bertoia)
• Giovan Federico Bonzagni
• Amedeo Bocchi
• Bartolomeo Schedoni
• Oreste Carpi

Others[link]

• Giambattista Bodoni, typographer
• Ferdinando Paer, composer
• Giuseppe Verdi, opera composer
• Arturo Toscanini, conductor
• Bernardo Bertolucci, director
• Giovannino Guareschi, writer
• Vittorio Bottego, explorer
• Attilio Bertolucci, poet
• Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, military commander
• Cleofonte Campanini, conductor
• Vittorio Adorni, cyclist
• Adriano Malori, cyclist

See also[link]

• European College of Parma
• University of Parma

References[link]

External links[link]

Find more about Parma on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Definitions and translations from Wiktionary
	Images and media from Commons
	Learning resources from Wikiversity
	News stories from Wikinews
	Quotations from Wikiquote
	Source texts from Wikisource
	Textbooks from Wikibooks

• Parma travel guide from Wikitravel
• Parma's view from satellite (Google Earth)
• 360° photos of City of Parma
• Video Introduction to Parma and the Parmigiano Reggiano
• Video Brief History of Parma
• The European Food Safety Authority Website

State of Ohio
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): The Buckeye State; The Mother of Presidents; Birthplace of Aviation; The Heart of It All
Motto(s): With God, all things are possible
Official language(s)	None. (English, de facto)
Demonym	Ohioan; Buckeye[1] (colloq.)
Capital (and largest city)	Columbus[2][3]
Largest metro area	Greater Cleveland or Greater Cincinnati (see footnote[4])
Area	Ranked 34th in the U.S.
- Total	44,825 sq mi (116,096 km2)
- Width	220 miles (355 km)
- Length	220 miles (355 km)
- % water	8.7
- Latitude	38° 24′ N to 41° 59′ N
- Longitude	80° 31′ W to 84° 49′ W
Population	Ranked 7th in the U.S.
- Total	11,544,951 (2011 est)[5]
- Density	282/sq mi  (109/km2) Ranked 10th in the U.S.
Elevation
- Highest point	Campbell Hill[6][7] 1,549 ft (472 m)
- Mean	850 ft  (260 m)
- Lowest point	Ohio River at Indiana border[6][7] 455 ft (139 m)
Before statehood	Northwest Territory
Admission to Union	March 1, 1803[8] (17th, declared retroactively on August 7, 1953[9])
Governor	John Kasich[10] (R)[11]
Lieutenant Governor	Mary Taylor[12] (R)[13]
Legislature	General Assembly
- Upper house	Senate
- Lower house	House of Representatives
U.S. Senators	Sherrod Brown[14] (D)[14] Rob Portman (R)
U.S. House delegation	13 Republicans, 5 Democrats (list)
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Abbreviations	OH[15] US-OH
Website	www.ohio.gov

Ohio (ⁱ/oʊˈhaɪ.oʊ/) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Ohio is the 34th most extensive, the 7th most populous, and the 10th most densely populated of the 50 United States. The state's capital and largest city is Columbus.

The name "Ohio" originated from Iroquois word ohi-yo’, meaning "great river".^{[16][17][18][19][20]} The state, originally partitioned from the Northwest Territory, was admitted to the Union as the 17th state (and the first under the Northwest Ordinance) on March 1, 1803.^[8][21] Although there are conflicting narratives regarding the origin of the nickname, Ohio is historically known as the "Buckeye State" (relating to the Ohio buckeye tree) and Ohioans are also known as "Buckeyes".^[1]

The government of Ohio is composed of the executive branch, led by the Governor; the legislative branch, which comprises the Ohio General Assembly; and the judicial branch, which is led by the Supreme Court. Currently, Ohio occupies 18 seats in the United States House of Representatives.^[22] Ohio is known for its status as both a swing state^[23] and a bellwether^[23] in national elections.

Geography[link]

Ohio's geographic location has proven to be an asset for economic growth and expansion. Because Ohio links the Northeast to the Midwest, much cargo and business traffic passes through its borders along its well-developed highways. Ohio has the nation's 10th largest highway network, and is within a one-day drive of 50% of North America's population and 70% of North America's manufacturing capacity.^[24] To the north, Lake Erie gives Ohio 312 miles (502 km) of coastline,^[25] which allows for numerous seaports. Ohio's southern border is defined by the Ohio River (with the border being at the 1793 low-water mark on the north side of the river), and much of the northern border is defined by Lake Erie. Ohio's neighbors are Pennsylvania to the east, Michigan to the northwest, Ontario Canada, to the north, Indiana to the west, Kentucky on the south, and West Virginia on the southeast. Ohio's borders were defined by metes and bounds in the Enabling Act of 1802 as follows:

Bounded on the east by the Pennsylvania line, on the south by the Ohio River, to the mouth of the Great Miami River, on the west by the line drawn due north from the mouth of the Great Miami aforesaid, and on the north by an east and west line drawn through the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan, running east after intersecting the due north line aforesaid, from the mouth of the Great Miami until it shall intersect Lake Erie or the territorial line, and thence with the same through Lake Erie to the Pennsylvania line aforesaid.

The Ohio coast of Lake Erie.

Note that Ohio is bounded by the Ohio River, but nearly all of the river itself belongs to Kentucky and West Virginia. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court held that, based on the wording of the cessation of territory by Virginia (which, at that time included what is now Kentucky and West Virginia), the boundary between Ohio and Kentucky (and by implication, West Virginia) is the northern low-water mark of the river as it existed in 1792.^[26] Ohio has only that portion of the river between the river's 1792 low-water mark and the present high-water mark.

The border with Michigan has also changed, as a result of the Toledo War, to angle slightly northeast to the north shore of the mouth of the Maumee River.

Much of Ohio features glaciated plains, with an exceptionally flat area in the northwest being known as the Great Black Swamp. This glaciated region in the northwest and central state is bordered to the east and southeast first by a belt known as the glaciated Allegheny Plateau, and then by another belt known as the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. Most of Ohio is of low relief, but the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau features rugged hills and forests.

Physical geography of Ohio.

The rugged southeastern quadrant of Ohio, stretching in an outward bow-like arc along the Ohio River from the West Virginia Panhandle to the outskirts of Cincinnati, forms a distinct socio-economic unit. Geologically similar to parts of West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania, this area's coal mining legacy, dependence on small pockets of old manufacturing establishments, and distinctive regional dialect set this section off from the rest of the state. In 1965 the United States Congress passed the Appalachian Regional Development Act, at attempt to "address the persistent poverty and growing economic despair of the Appalachian Region."^[27] This act defines 29 Ohio counties as part of Appalachia.^[28] While 1/3 of Ohio's land mass is part of the federally defined Appalachian region, only 12.8% of Ohioans live there (1.476 million people.)^[29]

Map of Ohio.

Significant rivers within the state include the Cuyahoga River, Great Miami River, Maumee River, Muskingum River, and Scioto River. The rivers in the northern part of the state drain into the northern Atlantic Ocean via Lake Erie and the St. Lawrence River, and the rivers in the southern part of the state drain into the Gulf of Mexico via the Ohio River and then the Mississippi.

The worst weather disaster in Ohio history occurred along the Great Miami River in 1913. Known as the Great Dayton Flood, the entire Miami River watershed flooded, including the downtown business district of Dayton. As a result, the Miami Conservancy District was created as the first major flood plain engineering project in Ohio and the United States.^[30]

Grand Lake St. Marys in the west central part of the state was constructed as a supply of water for canals in the canal-building era of 1820–1850. For many years this body of water, over 20 square miles (52 km²), was the largest artificial lake in the world. It should be noted that Ohio's canal-building projects were not the economic fiasco that similar efforts were in other states. Some cities, such as Dayton, owe their industrial emergence to location on canals, and as late as 1910 interior canals carried much of the bulk freight of the state.

Climate[link]

The climate of Ohio is a humid continental climate (Koppen climate classification Dfa) throughout most of the state except in the extreme southern counties of Ohio's Bluegrass region section which are located on the northern periphery of the humid subtropical climate and Upland South region of the United States. Summers are typically hot and humid throughout the state, while winters generally range from cool to cold. Precipitation in Ohio is moderate year-round. Severe weather is not uncommon in the state, although there are typically fewer tornado reports in Ohio than in states located in what is known as the Tornado Alley. Severe lake effect snowstorms are also not uncommon on the southeast shore of Lake Erie, which is located in an area designated as the Snowbelt.

Although predominantly not in a subtropical climate, some warmer-climate flora and fauna does reach well into Ohio. For instance, a number of trees with more southern ranges, such as the blackjack oak, Quercus marilandica, are found at their northernmost in Ohio just north of the Ohio River. Also evidencing this climatic transition from a subtropical to continental climate, several plants such as the Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Albizia julibrissin (mimosa), Crape Myrtle, and even the occasional Needle Palm are hardy landscape materials regularly used as street, yard, and garden plantings in the Bluegrass region of Ohio; but these same plants will simply not thrive in much of the rest of the State. This interesting change may be observed while traveling through Ohio on Interstate 75 from Cincinnati to Toledo; the observant traveler of this diverse state may even catch a glimpse of Cincinnati's common wall lizard, one of the few examples of permanent "subtropical" fauna in Ohio.

Records[link]

The highest recorded temperature was 113 °F (45 °C), near Gallipolis on July 21, 1934.^[31] The lowest recorded temperature was −39 °F (−39 °C), at Milligan on February 10, 1899.^[32]

Earthquakes[link]

Although few have registered as noticeable to the average citizen, more than 30 earthquakes occurred in Ohio between 2002 and 2007, and more than 200 quakes with a magnitude of 2.0 or higher have occurred since 1776.^[33]

The most substantial known earthquake in Ohio history was the Anna (Shelby County) earthquake,^[34] which occurred on March 9, 1937. It was centered in western Ohio, and had a magnitude of 5.4, and was of intensity VIII.^[35]

Other significant earthquakes in Ohio include:^[36] one of magnitude 4.8 near Lima on September 19, 1884;^[37] one of magnitude 4.2 near Portsmouth on May 17, 1901;^[38] and one of 5.0 in LeRoy Township in Lake County on January 31, 1986, which continued to trigger 13 aftershocks of magnitude 0.5 to 2.4 for two months.^[39][40]

The most recent earthquake in Ohio of any appreciable magnitude occurred on December 31, 2011, at 3:05pm EST. It had a magnitude of 4.0, and its epicenter was located approximately 4 kilometres northwest of Youngstown (41°7′19.1994″N 80°41′2.3994″W / 41.121999833°N 80.683999833°W / 41.121999833; -80.683999833), near the Trumbull/Mahoning county border.^[41]

The Ohio Seismic Network (OhioSeis), a group of seismograph stations at several colleges, universities, and other institutions, and coordinated by the Division of Geological Survey of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources,^[42] maintains an extensive catalog of Ohio earthquakes from 1776 to the present day, as well as earthquakes located in other states whose effects were felt in Ohio.^[43]

Major cities[link]

Columbus (home of The Ohio State University, Franklin University, Capital University, and Ohio Dominican University) is the capital of Ohio, near the geographic center of the state.

Other Ohio cities functioning as centers of United States metropolitan areas include:

• Akron (home of University of Akron and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company)
• Canton (home of Pro Football Hall of Fame, Malone University, and The Timken Company)
• Cincinnati (home of University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Procter & Gamble, Kroger, Macy's Inc., Chiquita Brands International, and Fifth Third Bank)
• Cleveland (home of Cleveland State University, Playhouse Square Center, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Orchestra, Case Western Reserve University, The Cleveland Clinic, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Forest City Enterprises, and University Hospitals)
• Dayton (home of University of Dayton, Dayton Ballet, Wright State University, Premier Health Partners, and National Museum of the United States Air Force)
• Lima (home of University of Northwestern Ohio)
• Mansfield (home of North Central State College and Mansfield Motorsports Park)
• Sandusky (home of Cedar Point, and Kalahari Resort and Convention Center)
• Springfield (home of Wittenberg University)
• Steubenville (home of Franciscan University of Steubenville)
• Toledo (home of The University of Toledo, The Toledo Museum of Art, Owens Corning, and Owens-Illinois)
• Youngstown (home of Youngstown State University and Butler Institute of American Art).

Note: The Cincinnati metropolitan area extends into Kentucky and Indiana, the Steubenville metropolitan area extends into West Virginia, and the Youngstown metropolitan area extends into Pennsylvania.

Ohio cities that function as centers of United States micropolitan areas include:

• Ashland (home of Ashland University)
• Ashtabula
• Athens (home of Ohio University)
• Bellefontaine
• Bucyrus
• Cambridge
• Celina
• Chillicothe (home of Ohio University-Chillicothe)
• Coshocton
• Defiance (home of Defiance College)
• East Liverpool-Salem
• Findlay (home of The University of Findlay)
• Fremont
• Greenville
• Marion (home of Marion Popcorn Festival)
• Mount Vernon (home of Mount Vernon Nazarene University)
• New Philadelphia-Dover
• Norwalk (home of the NHRA venue Summit Motorsports Park, headquarters of the International Hot Rod Association, and pioneer automobile company Fisher Body)
• Oxford (home of Miami University)
• Portsmouth (home of Shawnee State University)
• Sidney
• Tiffin (home of Heidelberg College and Tiffin University)
• Urbana (home of Urbana University)
• Van Wert
• Wapakoneta (birthplace of Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong)
• Washington Court House
• Wilmington (home of Wilmington College)
• Wooster (home of The College of Wooster)
• Zanesville (home of Zane State College).

History[link]

Native Americans[link]

Archeological evidence suggests that the Ohio Valley was inhabited by nomadic people as early as 13,000 BC.^[46] These early nomads disappeared from Ohio by 1,000 BC, "but their material culture provided a base for those who followed them".^[46] Between 1,000 and 800 BC, the sedentary Adena culture emerged. As Ohio historian George W. Knepper notes, this sophisticated culture was "so named because evidences of their culture were excavated in 1902 on the grounds of Adena, Thomas Worthington's estate located near Chillicothe".^[47] The Adena were able to establish "semi-permanent" villages because they domesticated plants, which included squash, sunflowers, and perhaps corn. Cultivation of these in addition to hunting and gathering supported more settled, complex villages.^[47] The most spectacular remnant of the Adena culture is the Great Serpent Mound, located in Adams County, Ohio.^[47]

Around 100 BC, the Adena were joined in Ohio Country by the Hopewell people, who were named for the farm owned by Captain M. C. Hopewell, where evidence of their unique culture was discovered.^[48] Like the Adena, the Hopewell people participated in a mound-building culture. Their complex, large and technologically sophisticated earthworks can be found in modern-day Marietta, Newark, and Circleville.^[48] The Hopewell, however, disappeared from the Ohio Valley in about 600 AD. Little is known about the people who replaced them.^[49] Researchers have identified two additional, distinct prehistoric cultures: the Fort Ancient people and the Whittlesey Focus people.^[49] Both cultures apparently disappeared in the 17th century, perhaps decimated by infectious diseases spread in epidemics from early European contact. The Native Americans had no immunity to common European diseases. Some scholars believe that the Fort Ancient people "were ancestors of the historic Shawnee people, or that, at the very least, the historic Shawnees absorbed remnants of these older peoples."^[49]

American Indians in the Ohio Valley were greatly affected by the aggressive tactics of the Iroquois Confederation, based in central and western New York.^[50] After the so-called Beaver Wars in the mid-17th century, the Iroquois claimed much of the Ohio country as hunting and, more importantly, beaver-trapping ground. After the devastation of epidemics and war in the mid-17th century, which largely emptied the Ohio country of indigenous people by the mid-to-late 17th century, the land gradually became repopulated by the mostly Algonquian-speaking descendants of its ancient inhabitants, that is, descendants of the Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippian cultures. Many of these Ohio-country nations were multi-ethnic (sometimes multi-linguistic) societies born out of the earlier devastation brought about by disease, war, and subsequent social instability. They subsisted on agriculture (corn, sunflowers, beans, etc.) supplemented by seasonal hunts. By the 18th century, they were part of a larger global economy brought about by European entry into the fur trade.^[51]

The indigenous nations to inhabit Ohio in the historical period included the Miamis (a large confederation); Wyandots (made up of refugees, especially from the fractured Huron confederacy); Delawares (pushed west from their historic homeland in New Jersey); Shawnees (also pushed west, although they may have been descended from the Fort Ancient people of Ohio); Ottawas (more commonly associated with the upper Great Lakes region); Mingos (like the Wyandot, a group recently formed of refugees from Iroquois); and Eries (gradually absorbed into the new, multi-ethnic "republics," namely the Wyandot).^[52] Ohio country was also the site of Indian massacres, such as the Yellow Creek Massacre, Gnadenhutten and Pontiac's Rebellion school massacre.^[53]

Colonial and Revolutionary eras[link]

During the 18th century, the French set up a system of trading posts to control the fur trade in the region. In 1754, France and Great Britain fought a war that was known in North America as the French and Indian War and in Europe as the Seven Years War. As a result of the Treaty of Paris, the French ceded control of Ohio and the remainder of the Old Northwest to Great Britain.

Pontiac's Rebellion in the 1760s, however, posed a challenge to British military control.^[54] This came to an end with the colonists' victory in the American Revolution. In the Treaty of Paris in 1783, Britain ceded all claims to Ohio country to the United States.

Northwest Territory: 1787–1803[link]

Plaque commemorating the Northwest Ordinance outside Federal Hall in lower Manhattan

The United States created the Northwest Territory under the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.^[55] Slavery was not permitted in the new territory. Settlement began with the founding of Marietta by the Ohio Company of Associates, which had been formed by a group of American Revolutionary War veterans. Following the Ohio Company, the Miami Company (also referred to as the "Symmes Purchase") claimed the southwestern section, and the Connecticut Land Company surveyed and settled the Connecticut Western Reserve in present-day Northeast Ohio.

The old Northwest Territory originally included areas previously known as Ohio Country and Illinois Country. As Ohio prepared for statehood, the Indiana Territory was created, reducing the Northwest Territory to approximately the size of present-day Ohio plus the eastern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and the eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula.

Under the Northwest Ordinance, areas of the territory could be defined and admitted as states once their population reached 60,000. Although Ohio's population numbered only 45,000 in December 1801, Congress determined that the population was growing rapidly and Ohio could begin the path to statehood. The assumption was that it would exceed 60,000 residents by the time it was admitted as a state.

Statehood: 1803–present[link]

James A. Garfield, President of United States from Ohio.

On February 19, 1803, President Jefferson signed an act of Congress that approved Ohio's boundaries and constitution. However, Congress had never passed a resolution formally admitting Ohio as the 17th state. The current custom of Congress declaring an official date of statehood did not begin until 1812, with Louisiana's admission as the 18th state. Although no formal resolution of admission was required, when the oversight was discovered in 1953, Ohio congressman George H. Bender introduced a bill in Congress to admit Ohio to the Union retroactive to March 1, 1803. At a special session at the old state capital in Chillicothe, the Ohio state legislature approved a new petition for statehood that was delivered to Washington, D.C. on horseback. On August 7, 1953 (the year of Ohio's 150th anniversary), President Eisenhower signed an act that officially declared March 1, 1803 the date of Ohio's admittance into the Union.^[56][57]

Although many Native Americans had migrated west to evade American encroachment, others remained settled in the state, sometimes assimilating in part. In 1830 under President Andrew Jackson, the US government forced Indian Removal of most tribes to the Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

In 1835, Ohio fought with Michigan in the Toledo War, a mostly bloodless boundary war over the Toledo Strip. Congress intervened, making Michigan's admittance as a state conditional on ending the conflict. In exchange for giving up its claim to the Toledo Strip, Michigan was given the western two-thirds of the Upper Peninsula, in addition to the eastern third that was already considered part of the state.

Ohio state welcome sign, in an older (1990s) style

Ohio's central position and its population gave it an important place during the Civil War. The Ohio River was a vital artery for troop and supply movements, as were Ohio's railroads. Ohio contributed more soldiers per-capita than any other state in the Union. In 1862, the state's morale was badly shaken in the aftermath of the battle of Shiloh, a costly victory in which Ohio forces suffered 2,000 casualties.^[58] Later that year, when Confederate troops under the leadership of Stonewall Jackson threatened Washington, D.C., Ohio governor David Tod still could recruit 5,000 volunteers to provide three months of service.^[59] Ohio historian Andrew R. L. Cayton writes that almost 35,000 Ohioans died in the conflict, "and some thirty thousand carried battle scars with them for the rest of their lives."^[60] By the end of the Civil War, the Union's top three generals–Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, and Philip Sheridan–were all from Ohio.^[61][62]

In 1912 a Constitutional Convention was held with Charles B. Galbreath as secretary. The result reflected the concerns of the Progressive Era. It introduced the initiative and the referendum. In addition, it allowed the General Assembly to put questions on the ballot for the people to ratify laws and constitutional amendments originating in the Legislature. Under the Jeffersonian principle that laws should be reviewed once a generation, the constitution provided for a recurring question to appear on Ohio's general election ballots every 20 years. The question asks whether a new convention is required. Although the question has appeared in 1932, 1952, 1972, and 1992, it has never been approved. Instead constitutional amendments have been proposed by petition to the legislature hundreds of times and adopted in a majority of cases.

Eight U.S. presidents hailed from Ohio at the time of their elections, giving rise to its nickname "Mother of Presidents", a sobriquet it shares with Virginia. It is also termed "Modern Mother of Presidents,"^[63] in contrast to Virginia's status as the origin of presidents earlier in American history. Seven presidents were born in Ohio, making it second to Virginia's eight. Virginia-born William Henry Harrison lived most of his life in Ohio and is also buried there. Harrison conducted his political career while living on the family compound, founded by his father-in-law, John Cleves Symmes, in North Bend, Ohio. The seven presidents born in Ohio were Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison (grandson of William Henry Harrison), William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Warren G. Harding.

Demographics[link]

Population[link]

From just over 45,000 residents in 1800, Ohio's population grew at rates of over 10% per decade until the census of 1970, which recorded just over 10.65 million Ohioans.^[65] Growth then slowed for the next four decades.^[66] The United States Census Bureau estimates that the population of Ohio was 11,544,951 on July 1, 2011, a 0.07% increase since the 2010 United States Census.^[5] Ohio's population growth lags that of the entire United States, and Caucasians are found in a greater density than the United States average. As of 2000^[update], Ohio's center of population is located in Morrow County,^[67] in the county seat of Mount Gilead.^[68] This is approximately 6,346 feet (1,934 m) south and west of Ohio's population center in 1990.^[67]

As of 2007^[update], 6.5% of Ohio's population is under 5 years of age,^[69] compared to a national rate of 6.9%.^[70] Also, 13.4% of Ohio's population is over 65 years of age,^[69] compared to a United States rate of 12.6%.^[70] Females comprise 51.3% of Ohio's population,^[69] compared to a national rate of 50.8%.^[70]

As of 2007, 3.6% of Ohio's total population is estimated to be foreign-born,^[71] compared to an estimated 12.5% of the United States population.^[71]

Ohio's five largest ancestry groups, as of 2007, are:^[72]

1. German (28.9%);
2. Irish (14.8%);
3. English (10.1%);
4. Polish (8.4%);
5. Italian (6.4%).

Amish children on the way to school.

The American Community Survey for the U.S. Census for 2006 reported:^[73]

• 82.8% White (non-Hispanic);
• 11.8% Black (non-Hispanic);
• 2.3% Hispanic, a category that includes people of many races;
• 1.5% Asian/Pacific Islander
• 1.3% mixed race
• 0.2% Native American/Alaskan Native
• 0.1% other races.

Religion[link]

According to a Pew Forum poll, as of 2008, 76% of Ohioans identified as Christian.^[74] Specifically, 26% of Ohio's population identified as Evangelical Protestant, 22% identified as Mainline Protestant, and 21% identified as Roman Catholic.^[74] In addition, 17% of the population is unaffiliated with any religious body.^[74] There are also small minorities of Jehovah's Witnesses (1%), Jews (1%), Muslims (1%), Hindus (<0.5%), Buddhists (<0.5%), Mormons (<0.5%), and practitioners of other faiths (1-1.5%).^[74]

According to the same data, a majority of Ohioans, 55%, feel that religion is "very important," while 30% say that it is "somewhat important," and 15% responded that religion is "not too important/not important at all."^[74] Also, 36% of Ohioans indicate that they attend religious services at least once weekly, while 35% attend these services occasionally, and 27% seldom or never participate in these services.^[74]

Economy[link]

Cincinnati's Procter & Gamble is one of Ohio's largest companies in terms of revenue.

In 2010, Ohio was ranked No. 2 in the country for best business climate by Site Selection magazine, based on a business-activity database.^[75] The state has also won three consecutive Governor's Cup awards from the magazine, based on business growth and developments.^[76] As of 2010^[update], Ohio's gross domestic product (GDP) was $478 billion.^[77][78] This ranks Ohio's economy as the seventh-largest of all fifty states and the District of Columbia.^[78]

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council ranked the state No. 10 for best business-friendly tax systems in their Business Tax Index 2009, including a top corporate tax and capital gains rate that were both ranked No. 6 at 1.9%.^[79] Ohio was ranked No. 11 by the council for best friendly-policy states according to their Small Business Survival Index 2009.^[80] The Directorship's Boardroom Guide ranked the state No. 13 overall for best business climate, including No. 7 for best litigation climate.^[81] Forbes ranked the state No. 8 for best regulatory environment in 2009.^[82] Ohio has 5 of the top 115 colleges in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report's 2010 rankings,^[83] and was ranked No. 8 by the same magazine in 2008 for best high schools.^[84]

Ohio's unemployment rate stood at 10.7 in May 2010, adding 17,000 new jobs that month.^[85][86] Ohio's per capita income stands at $34,874.^[78][87] Moody's is predicting a 1.3% increase in personal income in 2009 for Ohio, compared to the 2007 rate of 4.7%.^[78] As of 2007^[update], Ohio's median household income is $46,645,^[88] and 13.1% of the population is below the poverty line,^[89] slightly above the national rate of 13%.^[89] Ohio's employment base is expected to grow 5% from 2006 to 2016, a net gain of 290,700 jobs.^[78]

The manufacturing and financial activities sectors each compose 18.3% of Ohio's GDP, making them Ohio's largest industries by percentage of GDP.^[78] Ohio has the largest bioscience sector in the Midwest, and is a national leader in the "green" economy. Ohio is the largest producer in the country of plastics, rubber, fabricated metals, electrical equipment, and appliances.^[90] 5,212,000 Ohioans are currently employed by wage or salary.^[78]

By employment, Ohio's largest sector is trade/transportation/utilities, which employs 1,010,000 Ohioans, or 19.4% of Ohio's workforce, while the health care and education sector employs 825,000 Ohioans (15.8%).^[78] Government employs 787,000 Ohioans (15.1%), manufacturing employs 669,000 Ohioans (12.9%), and professional and technical services employs 638,000 Ohioans (12.2%).^[78] Ohio's manufacturing sector is the third-largest of all fifty United States states in terms of gross domestic product.^[78] Fifty-nine of the United States' top 1,000 publicly traded companies (by revenue in 2008) are headquartered in Ohio, including Procter & Gamble, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, AK Steel, Timken, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Wendy's.^[91]

Ohio is also one of 41 states with its own lottery,^[92] the Ohio Lottery.^[93] The Ohio Lottery has contributed over $15.5 billion to public education in its 34-year history.^[94]

Transportation[link]

Ground Travel
Many major east-west transportation corridors go through Ohio. One of those pioneer routes, known in the early 20th century as "Main Market Route 3", was chosen in 1913 to become part of the historic Lincoln Highway which was the first road across America, connecting New York City to San Francisco. In Ohio, the Lincoln Highway linked many towns and cities together, including Canton, Mansfield, Wooster, Lima, and Van Wert. The arrival of the Lincoln Highway to Ohio was a major influence on the development of the state. Upon the advent of the federal numbered highway system in 1926, the Lincoln Highway through Ohio became U.S. Highway 30.

Ohio also is home to 228 miles (367 km) of the Historic National Road, now U.S. Route 40.

Ohio has a highly developed network of roads and interstate highways. Major east-west through routes include the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/I-90) in the north, I-76 through Akron to Pennsylvania, I-70 through Columbus and Dayton, and the Appalachian Highway (Ohio 32) running from West Virginia to Cincinnati. Major north-south routes include I-75 in the west through Toledo, Dayton, and Cincinnati, I-71 through the middle of the state from Cleveland through Columbus and Cincinnati into Kentucky, and I-77 in the eastern part of the state from Cleveland through Akron, Canton, New Philadelphia and Marietta down into West Virginia. Interstate 75 between Cincinnati and Dayton is one of the heaviest traveled sections of interstate in Ohio.

Air Travel

Ohio has 5 international airports, 4 commercial and 2 military. The 5 international includes Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, which is a major hub for Continental Airlines, Port Columbus International Airport, and Dayton International Airport, Ohio's third largest airport. Akron Fulton International Airport handles cargo and for private use. Rickenbacker International Airport is one of military which is also home to the 7th largest fed ex building in America. The other military airport is Wright Patterson Air Force Base which is one of the largest Air Force bases in the United States. Other major airports are located in Toledo and Akron.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is in Hebron, Kentucky and therefore is not listed above.

Transportation lists[link]

• List of Ohio state highways
• List of Ohio train stations
• List of Ohio railroads
• List of Ohio rivers
• Historic Ohio Canals

Law and government[link]

The Ohio State Capitol located in Columbus, Ohio.

The state government of Ohio consists of the executive,^[95] judicial,^[96] and legislative^[97] branches.

Executive branch[link]

The executive branch is headed by the Governor of Ohio.^[95] The current governor is John Kasich,^[10] a Republican elected in 2010. A lieutenant governor succeeds the governor in the event of any removal from office,^[98] and performs any duties assigned by the governor.^[99] The current lieutenant governor is Mary Taylor. The other elected constitutional offices in the executive branch are the secretary of state (Jon A. Husted), auditor (Dave Yost), treasurer (Josh Mandel), and attorney general (Mike DeWine).^[95]

Judicial branch[link]

There are three levels of the Ohio state judiciary. The lowest level is the court of common pleas: each county maintains its own constitutionally-mandated court of common pleas, which maintain jurisdiction over "all justiciable matters."^[100] The intermediate-level court system is the district court system.^[101] Twelve courts of appeals exist, each retaining jurisdiction over appeals from common pleas, municipal, and county courts in a set geographical area.^[100] A case heard in this system is decided by a three-judge panel, and each judge is elected.^[100]

The highest-ranking court, the Ohio Supreme Court, is Ohio's "court of last resort."^[102] A seven-justice panel composes the court, which, by its own discretion, hears appeals from the courts of appeals, and retains original jurisdiction over limited matters.^[103]

Legislative branch[link]

The police car originated in Akron, Ohio.^[104]

The Ohio General Assembly is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives.^[105] The Senate is composed of 33 districts, each of which is represented by one senator.^[106] Each senator represents approximately 330,000 constituents.^[106] The House of Representatives is composed of 99 members.^[107]

National politics[link]

Ohio, nicknamed the "Mother of Presidents," has sent seven of its native sons (Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren G. Harding) to the White House.^[109] All seven were Republicans. Virginia native William Henry Harrison, a Whig, resided in Ohio.^[109] Historian R. Douglas Hurt asserts that not since Virginia 'had a state made such a mark on national political affairs.'^[110] The Economist notes that "This slice of the mid-west contains a bit of everything American — part north-eastern and part southern, part urban and part rural, part hardscrabble poverty and part booming suburb,"^[111]

As of 2008^[update], Ohio's voter demographic leans towards the Democratic Party.^[112] An estimated 2,408,178 Ohioans are registered to vote as Democrats, while 1,471,465 Ohioans are registered to vote as Republicans.^[112] These are changes from 2004 of 72% and 32%, respectively, and Democrats have registered over 1,000,000 new Ohioans since 2004.^[112] Unaffiliated voters have an attrition of 15% since 2004, losing an estimated 718,000 of their kind.^[112] The total now rests at 4,057,518 Ohioans.^[112] In total, there are 7,937,161 Ohioans registered to vote.^[112] In the United States presidential election of 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama of Illinois won 51.50% of Ohio's popular vote, 4.59% more than his nearest rival, Senator John McCain of Arizona.^[113] However, Obama won only 22 of Ohio's 88 counties.^[114]

Following the 2000 census, Ohio lost one congressional district in the United States House of Representatives, which leaves Ohio with 18 districts, and consequently, 18 representatives. The state is expected to lose two more seats following the 2010 Census.^[115] The 2008 elections, Democrats gained three seats in Ohio's delegation to the House of Representatives.^[116] This leaves eight Republican-controlled seats in the Ohio delegation.^[117] Ohio's U.S. Senators in the 112th Congress are Republican Rob Portman and Democrat Sherrod Brown.^[118] Marcia Kaptur (D-9) is the dean, or most senior member, of the Ohio delegation to the United States House of Representatives.^[119]