Columbus is the capital of the US state of Ohio. It is also the seat of Franklin County and is located close to the geographical center of the state. Nicknames attributed to Columbus include 'The Arch City' and 'Discovery City'. It was named after the explorer Christopher Columbus and was founded during the early part of the 19th century.

Ohio has one of the strongest economies in the United States and one that is diverse as well. Columbus is the location of the several renowned educational institutions including the Ohio State University, Columbus State Community College, and Franklin University. Several Fortune 500 companies make Columbus their base and the most notable is the Cardinal Health company. Five insurance companies are also headquartered in Columbus; these include National Insurance, Grange Insurance, Safe Auto Insurance, State Auto Insurance, and Motorist Insurance.

Several annual festivals are held in Columbus, these festivals include the Ohio State Fair, the Columbus Art Festival, the Jazz and Ribs Festival, Doo Dah Parade, Community Festival (ComFest), and the Gay Pride Parade that reflects the size of the gay and lesbian population in the city. The state is also home to several notable landmarks including the Ohio State House and the Palace Theater.