The capital of Minnesota, Saint Paul is the seat of Ramsey County. Along with Minneapolis, it occupies the center of the fifteen-county Twin Cities metropolitan statistical area. Like Minneapolis, Saint Paul is also rated as the country’s best places for growing business and economy. The city has been developed in the late nineteenth century through the efforts of railroad baron James Hill and religious leader Archbishop John Ireland. Initially, Saint Paul was a primary transportation and distribution hub but today it has gained a national reputation for its effective local government, attractive architecture, rich cultural environment, and quality of life.
Saint Paul is located with Minneapolis at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers over the heart of an artesian water basin. The surrounding topography is flat or rolling and scattered with lakes. The climate is similar to that of Minneapolis and is primarily continental with vast seasonal temperature variations, ranging from minus 30 degrees to 100 degrees and above.

Area: 53 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 834 feet above sea level

Latitude: 44.95 N

Longitude: 93.11 W

Average Temperatures: January, 11.2° F; July, 70.6° F; annual average, 44.7° F

Annual Average Precipitation: 26.36 inches

Population: 275,150 as on 2005

Festivals:

• Minnesota State Fair - Aug. 24-Sept. 4, 2006
• Scottish Ramble - Feb. 10-11, 2007
• Skandia Festival - Dec. 10, 2006
• Sommerfest - June 9-11, 2006
• Wild River Music, Comedy & Film Festival - Sept. 6-10, 2006
• Winter Carnival - Jan. 27-Feb. 5, 2006
• Blues Festival - June 17, 2006
• Czech & Slovak Festival - Oct. 8, 2006
• Dragon Festival - July 8-9, 2006
• Irish Fair of Minnesota - Aug. 11-13, 2006

Attractions:

• Minnesota History Center
• Minnesota Transportation Museum
• Gibbs Farm Museum
• Minnesota Museum of American Art
• James J. Hill House