Kansas City is situated where the  Missouri and Kansas rivers meet and is the  largest city in Missouri and 27th largest in the United States .  Kansas City has been recognized for having the potential to gain world city  status due to its continued growth.   Kansas City's central location has made it the the second largest railroad hub in the country and the city is famous for the Country Club Plaza.   The Plaza shopping district and neighborhood was developed in 1922 by J.C.Nichols and is often noted for its numerous European fountains and Spanish architecture.  The Plaza is home to many major stores including Tiffany's and Coach.  

Part of Kansas City's history is Union Station, which was constructed in 1914 and became the most frequented passenger terminal in the U.S.  The station received a high profile renovation in the 1990's and is currently home to a museum, shops, theater and restaurants.  The cattle industry is also a major part of Kansas City's history, thus the nickname "cowtown".  

Notable Kansas City architecture include Bartle Hall Convention Center, Liberty Memorial and the Power & Light Building.  Downtown Kansas City is currently undergoing redevelopment where many properties are being torn down so a new entertainment district, which will house the Sprint Center arena, can be built.  Kansas City hopes the Sprint Center will assist in bringing an NBA or NHL franchise to Kansas City to add to its professional football, baseball and soccer teams.  The population growth in downtown has been aided by the conversion of  vacant commercial buildings into loft style housing. 

The Kansas City area is flat with few hills.  The city is located in center of the U.S. and is known for a climate with varying degrees of hot and cold temperatures.  Kansas City transportation includes plenty of interstate highway and state highway access.   Kansas City's park system is spread out over the city and  Swope Park is one of the nation's larger city parks with more than a thousand acres.  Swope park houses the  Kansas City Zoo .   Kansas City is second only to Rome for its 160 fountains.