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Introduction The second largest city of Ohio, Cleveland is the seat of Cuyahoga County, and at the center of a metropolitan statistical area that includes Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Medina counties. The city's location on Lake Erie is reason for its success as a transportation, industrial, and commercial center. Cleveland is an important business center and by the twentieth century the local political system set a standard for reform that contributed to the general welfare of its citizens. Today Cleveland's revitalized central business and commercial districts complement its cultural institutions and major professional sports teams.
Cleveland extends 31 miles along the south shore of Lake Erie. Cleveland is bisected from north to south by the Cuyahoga River.
The continental climate is influenced by west to northerly winds off Lake Erie, which lower summer temperatures and raise winter temperatures. Summers are moderately warm and humid, winters relatively cold and cloudy. Snowfall ranges from 45 inches in west Cuyahoga County to 90 inches in the east. Thunderstorms often bring damaging winds of 50 miles per hour or greater. Tornadoes are not uncommon either.
Area: 82.42 square miles (2000)
Elevation: most of the city is on a level plain 60 to 80 feet above Lake Erie
Latitude: 41.48 N, Longitude: 81.67 W
Average Temperatures: January, 25.7° F; July, 71.9° F; annual average, 49.6° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 38.71 inches of rain; 55.8 inches of snow
Population: 452,208 as on 2005 census
Attractions * Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
* Great Lakes Science Center
* Cleveland Museum of Art
* Health-Space Cleveland
* Cleveland Botanical Garden
* NASA John H. Glenn Research Center
* Western Reserve Historical Society
Festivals * Martin Luther King Jr. celebration
* Cleveland International Film Festival
* Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
* EarthFest
* Parade the Circle Celebration
* Cuyoga County Fair
* Johnny Appleseed Festival