The capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin, Madison is surrounded by four lakes and, therefore, is nicknamed the City of Four Lakes. It lies partly on a narrow strip of land between Lakes Monona and Mendota, while Lakes Wingra and Waubesa are to the city's southwest and southeast. Madison is in the south-central part of Wisconsin and is an important center for education, culture, and government.

Places of interest

The State Capitol Building, completed in 1917, stands in the center of the city. Its white granite dome is 286 feet (87 meters) high and can be seen from a long distance. A bronze statue called Forward, by sculptor Daniel Chester French, is on the top of the dome.

The Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, a five-story structure on Lake Monona, was completed in 1997. In addition to providing hotel and public event facilities, Monona Terrace features a bicycle and pedestrian path along the lake, a rooftop garden, and a memorial to soul singer Otis Redding, who died near the site in 1967.

The Olbrich Botanical Gardens are spread over 14 acres (6 hectares) of land and have various plants and trees. The Lake Kegonsa State Park is a 343-acre (139-hectare) park. It offers hiking, nature trails, swimming, and waterskiing. The Henry Vilas Zoo is famous for the successful breeding of animals, including the orangutan, Siberian tiger, spectacle bear, penguin, and camel.

The architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed a number of buildings in the city. They include the Unitarian Meeting House, the Jacobs Residence, and several private homes.

Culture

The Madison Art Center has a collection of art by local, national, and world artists. The city's Elvehjem Museum of Art has works that date as far back as 2300 BC as well as recent items. The Madison Children's Museum allows visitors to touch exhibits and offers special craft and activity programs for children. The State Historical Museum has exhibits on the history of American Indian life in Wisconsin.

Madison hosts an annual event called the Art Fair on the Square that shows the works of hundreds of artists and craftspersons. Madison is also the home of the Dane County Fair. Each spring the Capital City Jazz Fest attracts lovers of music.

The main campus of the University of Wisconsin is located in the city. It is a very large university, and many students live in Madison. Madison is also the home of Madison Area Technical College, established in 1912, and Edgewood College, established in 1927.

Economy

Many people in Madison work for the government or the university. Trade and manufacturing have added to Madison's economy. Madison's industries include food processing, printing and publishing, and production of machines for industry.

The city is also home to the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory. It was set up in 1910 and tests and develops new items made of wood. Areas for recreation such as the nearby Wisconsin Dells also attract tourists.

History

North American Indians lived in the area that is now Madison at the time that white settlers first arrived in the area. In 1836, the site was chosen for the capital of the territory of Wisconsin. It was named for President James Madison, who had died that year.

By 1837, the first white settlers had come to the area, and construction began on the capitol building. In 1838, the legislature of the territory of Wisconsin held its first session in Madison while the original capitol was still being constructed. Madison was incorporated as a village in 1846. It became the capital of Wisconsin when the state was admitted to the Union two years later. The village developed quickly once the railroads arrived in 1854. In 1856, Madison became a city. Population (2000 census), 208,054.