About Grand Rapids

As the second largest city in Michigan, Grand Rapids is an interesting place to visit or live in. The city is situated in central-west Michigan, and has the Grand River flowing through the center of the city, hence the name. Overall, the population of the city is large, with almost 200,000 residents, but with a metro-population of over 1 million people.

The first people to live in the area were the Hopewell Native Americans, who were replaced with Ottawa Indians when they moved into the area several hundred years ago. The Ottawa Indians had contact with Europeans, and traded furs for other goods such as gunpowder and textile. The area remained sparsely until a European village was incorporated in the early 1800s as Grand Rapids. As the population quickly grew, the village reorganized itself into a city-style of government with world-famous furniture being the cornerstone of the local economy. Though the city has moved from its furniture-dominated economy, it still provides jobs and office furniture products for many people. Today, it also hosts a large auto-industry, with many spin-off businesses such as auto repair and mechanic shops, most of which can be found in the Grand Rapids, Michigan business directory.

As a place to visit, Grand Rapids offers many entertainment options that will not break the budget. Auto factory tours are available, along with tours in museums, and theaters. The downtown area is spotted with high-quality restaurants and nightclubs, and many different types of hotels are available, from motel to 5-star. Crime overall is low when compared with other Midwest cities such as St. Louis or Chicago. Almost all of the businesses in the city appear in the Grand Rapids, Michigan yellow pages. For those who choose to make this city home, the local economy offers a variety of potential jobs. Several colleges and universities offer degrees in diverse fields such as technical fields and medical degrees. Everyone will find an enjoyable hobby in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a world-known city in furniture and automobiles, visiting or living in Grand Rapids is a source of pride for many people. From historical parks and museums to party clubs, Grand Rapids offers something for everyone.

Written by Lyndsey Morgan