Worcester ma
Worcester the heart of commonwealth
The city of Worcester: Worcester also known as The Heart of the Commonwealth is a city in the Worcester County in the state of Massachusetts. It is situated on the Blackstone River. It is the second largest city in Massachusetts. It is just 45 miles from Boston. The geographical location are 42°15'45 N & 71°48'10 W. It covers an area of 99.9 square kilometer out of which only 2.6 square kilometer area is covered with water. It is 475 feet above the ground.
History: The Nipmuc were the first settlers in city. They called it as Quinsigamond Plantation. But very soon this settlement was abandoned. Later in 1713 the first permanent colonization came in. The city received its name on the name of historical city of Worcester, UK. The Blackstone Canal was opened in 1828.It led to industrial development in city. The city was officially incorporated in 1848. The people of Worcester actively took part in American Revolution and Shays' Rebellion. The first national women's rights convention was held in 1850.In 1953 a tornado hit Worcester killing 94 people and damaged a large part of the city. It is the deadliest tornado ever recorded till date, faced by New England.
City Government: City has a Council manager city type government. Michael V. O Brien is the present city manager. The city councilor appoints managers to handle day to day activities. City councilors are elected members and one of the city councilors acts like mayor. He does not have any extra authority he is just the ceremonial head of the city.
Population: The different races residing in the city are whites followed by blacks, Asians, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and native Hawaiians .Present population is 175,706. The average household income is $35,623. The per capita income is $18,614.
Economy: Worcester is an important manufacturing, insurance and transportation center of US. City has Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park. It is the research center for many companies. City also has University of Massachusetts Medical School. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is soon starting a new center for Bioengineering. Morgan Construction leaders in the design and manufacture of steel rolling mills and Saint-Gobain have their headquarters in Worcester
Transportation: Worcester is an inland port. The main interstate highways in Worcester are Turnpike, I-90, I-290/I-190. Rail lines traverse the city. There is also a commuter rail between Boston and Worcester. City also has a Worcester Regional Airport.
Education: Worcester is known for its fine educational institutes. Some of the major institutes are:
• Worcester State College, Worcester • Assumption College • Clark University • the College of the Holy Cross, • the University of Massachusetts Medical Center • Becker College • Quinsigamond Community College • Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Worchester have a Worcester's Public School System. More than 25,000 students study in these schools. There are 4 middle schools, 5 high schools, 35 elementary schools and few other learning centers such as magnet schools, alternative schools and special education schools. The city also has a system of Night Life an adult education component. City also have private and parochial schools .
Museums:
City has many museums. Some of them are: • The Worcester Art Museum having wide-ranging collection of Western and Asian art. • The Worcester Historical Museum have wide collection emphasizing on the city's industrial achievements. • The Higgins Armory is a museum of arms and armor. • The EcoTarium have collections on the biological and physical sciences.
Crime:
The violent crime rate of city is approximately 9 /1000 people. As per the FBI 2003 data there are 1,536 recorded crimes with 7 murders and homicides.
Weather:
City have continental climate. The temperature changes very fast. Summers are warm and humid; winters are cold, windy and snowy. It snows in October. In summers the temperature varies from 61 to 90 degree Fahrenheit. Winters have temperature ranging from 16 to 31 degree Fahrenheit.
Health & Hospitals:
The Department of Public Health takes care of health issues in general. It also helps in prevention of disease in the community. It takes care of the health of its people by providing health promotional and health surveillance activities. The University of Massachusetts Medical School is ranked fourth in primary care education. St. Vincent Hospital takes care of Worchesters primary care facilities. The largest Health Maintenance Organizations Fallon Community Health Plan is also located in Worchester.
Shopping:
City is the shoppers paradise. It have big malls as well as pedestrian-oriented shopping areas. Some of the major places include:
Greendale Mall : The main stores include TJ Maxx 'N More, Best Buy, Marshalls and Old Navy
Perkins Farm Marketplace: The main stores include Building 19, A.J. Wright, Super Stop & Shop
Webster Square: The main shops include Blockbuster, Shaw's and CVS
Lincoln Plaza: The main shop includes Anchor Stores, Dick's Sporting Goods, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, Stop & Shop, Target and Bally's Fitness Center
Facts about Worchester:
• It is popularly called as The City of the Seven Hills and Worm town. • It is 126th ranking city of US. • It is 64th most populous city in US. • People of Worcester are called Worcesterites. • The birth control pills were developed in Worcester in the 1950s • The father of modern rocketry Robert H. Goddard did his first experiments in Worcester in 1920s .He was professor at Clark University. • Holy cross college is the oldest college in city. It was established in 1843. • American Antiquarian Society was founded in 1812 and since than Worcester is the headquarter for American Antiquarian Society. • The annual Worcester Music Festival was started in 1858 in Worcester. • The city is the home for industrial innovation. City gave new methods of making wire, textiles, grinding wheels, envelopes and rocketry pioneer. • City has been a filming location for the movie School Ties. • Pet Rock Festival is local festival celebrated every year. • The smiley face a yellow button with a smile and two dots representing eyes and a half circle representing a mouth was invented by Harvey Ball in 1963. It made this smiley for a State Mutual Life Assurance.
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