Boston is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

History
See also: Neighborhoods in Boston, Massachusetts
Owing to its early founding, Boston is very compact. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 89.6 square miles (232.1 km²)— 48.4 square miles (125.4 km²) of it is land and 41.2 square miles (106.7 km²) (46.0%) of it is water. This compares with cities of comparable population such as Denver at 154.9 square miles (401 km²) and Charlotte, North Carolina at 280.5 square miles (726 km²). Of United States cities over 500,000, only San Francisco and Washington, D.C. were smaller in size. Boston's official elevation, as measured at Logan International Airport, is 19 feet (5.8 m) above sea level.

Geography
Boston experiences a continental climate that is very common in New England, but with distinct maritime influences due to its position on the Atlantic Ocean. Summers are typically hot and humid, while winters are cold, windy and snowy. It has been known to snow in May or October but these events are rare. Fog is prevalent, particularly in spring and early summer and the occasional tropical storm or hurricane can threaten the region, especially in early autumn.

Climate
According to the census

Demographics
See also: List of Mayors of Boston, Massachusetts, Boston Fire Department, and Boston Emergency Medical Services
Boston has a strong mayor system in which the mayor is vested with extensive executive powers. The mayor is elected to a four-year term by plurality voting. The city council is elected every two years. There are nine district seats, each elected by the residents of that district through plurality voting, and four at-large seats. Each voter casts up to four votes for at-large councilors, with no more than one vote per candidate. The candidates with the four highest vote totals are elected. The president of the city council is elected by the councilors from within themselves. The school committee is appointed by the mayor.

Crime
See also: Major companies in Greater Boston, List of foreign consulates in Boston
Boston's colleges and universities have a major impact on the city and region's economy. Not only are they major employers, but they also attract high-tech industries to the city and surrounding region, including computer hardware and software companies as well as biotechnology companies like Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Millipore, Genzyme, and Biogen Idec. According to a 2003 report by the Boston Redevelopment Authority, students enrolled in Boston's colleges and universities contribute $4.8 billion annually to the city's economy.

Economy
See also: List of colleges and universities in metropolitan Boston
Boston's reputation as the Athens of America derives in large part from the teaching and research activities of more than 100 colleges and universities located in the Greater Boston Area,

Education

Main article: Culture in Boston, Massachusetts Culture

Main article: Media in Boston, Massachusetts Media

Main article: Boston sports Sports
The Longwood Medical Area is a region of Boston with a concentration of medical and research facilities, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Children's Hospital Boston, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Healthcare and utilities

Main article: Boston transportation See also