POPULATION: 390,000 (city), 2,064,725 (metro) | TIME ZONE: Eastern | CLIMATE: Continental (4 distinct seasons)
Cleveland is as much a city as it is a state of mind. And really, when your city has a river known for periodically catching fire, it can do something to your ego. (The river’s water quality has improved significantly since the last fire of note, back in 1969.) Cleveland is also a city with a lot of heart—which is what prompted British Rocker Ian Hunter to write what may be the 20th century’s quintessential Cleveland song. Cleveland Rocks is a fixture at sporting events across the city. Comedian Drew Carey is a dedicated Cleveland sports fan and philanthropic contributor to the community, and may be one of the best possible incarnations of the Cleveland state of mind: funny, independent, original, active, concerned and enthusiastic. Situated in northeastern Ohio, Cleveland basks on the southern shore of Lake Erie, roughly a 90-minute drive from the Pennsylvania border. The city was founded in 1796 near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River.
NICKNAME(S)
The Forest City
C-Town
Metropolis of the Western Reserve
The Rock and Roll Capital of the World
MOTTO
Progress & Prosperity
NOTABLE SONG ABOUT THE CITY
Cleveland Rocks by Ian Hunter
PRO SPORTS TEAMS
Cleveland Indians (MLB)
Cleveland Browns (NFL)
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Lake Erie Monsters (AHL)
Cleveland Gladiators (AFL)
ALSO KNOWN FOR...
Cleveland Clinic
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Case Western Reserve University (Ranked 37th in the nation for undergraduate by U.S. News & World Report)
Walkability
University Hospital Rainbow Babies
John Carroll University (notable alumni include Tim Russert and Don Shula)
Cleveland Metroparks
Pierogis
The Polish Boy kielbasa sandwich
The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame
Fish fries
Drew Carey, Michael Symon, Jim Brown, Tracy Chapman, Tim Conway, Ruby Dee, Phil Donahue, Alan Freed, Teri Garr, Arsenio Hall, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Bob Hope, Langston Hughes, Don King, Toni Morrison, John D. Rockefeller, Harvey Pekar, Joe Walsh, Jack Trice