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Topeka is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas. The name "Topeka" has been derived from a Kansas tribal name meaning "a good place to dig potatoes". Founded in 1854, the city became a chartered city in 1857. It is also the county seat of Shawnee County. It was one of the Free-State towns founded by Eastern antislavery men immediately after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill.
Area & Location:Located at 39°2'21? Latitude North and 95°41'22? Longitude West, Topeka lies in the northeast Kansas at the intersection of I-70 and U.S. Highway 75. Situated on U.S. Highway 24 and U.S. Highway 40, the city covers a total area of 147.6 sq. km. Its land area constitutes 145.1 sq. km whereas its water area is 2.5 sq. km. It has an elevation of 288m. Around 122,377 people reside in the city.
Economy: The government and services offer more than 50 % of Topeka's economy. The construction and manufacturing industries gain much revenue.
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The principal industries of the city include flourmills, printing and publishing companies, iron foundries and food processing plants. The other main items produced by the country are flour, dairy products, meats and poultry, pet foods, tyres, tents, awnings, serum, steel fixtures, culverts, tanks, boxes and baskets, medicines and steel jetties.
Tourist Attractions:The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site built to commemorate the Supreme Court decision on ending segregation in public schools is often visited by the tourists. The beautiful gardens offered by the city like Reinisch Rose Garden and Doran Rock Garden and Ward-Meade Park Botanical Gardens that feature 400 varieties of roses with over 6,500 plants entice its visitors. The Topeka Zoo, which has a wide species of animals, is an attraction to the people especially children. The Combat Air Museum, Topeka Civic Theatre- an award-winning performing arts theater, Topeka Performing Arts Center, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library and Gizmo Pictures are other points of interest in the city. The state Capitol Building is the landmark of Topeka.
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