Indianapolis is the capital of the state of Indiana and the third most populated city in the Midwest. The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association Web site describes the Midwestern city as "the perfect balance of cosmopolitan style and small-town charm that makes it a successful destination for leisure travel, conventions and group tours, catering to nearly 22 million visitors a year."

Native Americans who resided in the area included the Miami and Lenape (or Delaware) tribes, who were removed from the area by the early 1820s.

In 1820 Indianapolis was chosen as the site of the new state capital. The city was founded on the White River under the wrong assumption that the river would serve as a major transportation artery; however, the waterway was too sandy for trade.

The first railroad to service Indianapolis was the Madison & Indianapolis. It began operation on October 1, 1847, and subsequent railroad connections made expansive growth possible. Indianapolis was the home of the first Union Station, or common rail passenger terminal, in the United States. By the turn of the century, Indianapolis had become a large automobile manufacturer, even rivaling Detroit. With roads leading out of the city in all directions, Indianapolis became a major center of regional transport connecting to Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Cleveland and St. Louis, befitting the capital of a state whose nickname is "The Crossroads of America."

Indianapolis is commonly referred to as the "Racing Capital of the World," because it hosts the two largest single-day sporting events in the world: the Indianapolis 500 and the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard , according the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association Web site.