Louisville, Kentucky
58592
226133244
2008-07-16T23:34:03Z
Rividian
6396870
rv spam link yet again
{{featured article}}
{{Redirect|Louisville}}
{{Infobox Settlement
|official_name = Louisville, Kentucky
|settlement_type = [[City]]
|nickname = Derby City, River City, Gateway to the South, Falls City, The 'Ville<ref>The term "The 'Ville" has been used in print in The Courier-Journal 60+ times since 1999 and appears to have been popularized by a 2003 billboard campaign promoting Louisville as "The best college sports town in America." See {{cite news |title=UofL's bogus billboards don't impress experts |date=2003-09-10 |last=Forde |first=Pat |publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]''}}</ref>
|website = [http://www.louisvilleky.gov/ www.louisvilleky.gov]
|image_skyline = LouisvilleDowntownSkyline2.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_caption =
|image_flag =
|image_seal = 100px-Louisville Kentucky seal.gif
|image_map = Map of Kentucky highlighting Jefferson County.svg
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location in the Commonwealth of [[Kentucky]]
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =
|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Kentucky|County]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Kentucky]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson]]
|government_type =
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|established_date =
|area_footnotes = <ref>[http://www.uky.edu/KentuckyAtlas/21111.html Jefferson County, Kentucky Atlas & Gazetteer]</ref>
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|area_total_sq_mi = 399
|area_land_sq_mi = 385.09
|area_water_sq_mi = 13
|area_total_km2 = 1,032
|area_land_km2 = 997.38
|area_water_km2 = 35
|population_as_of = 2008
|population_total = 713,460 <small>(consolidated)</small><br>558,541 <small>(balance)</small>
|population_metro = 1,245,941
|population_density_km2 = 720.6
|population_footnotes = <ref>See [[#Nomenclature, population, and ranking|Nomenclature, population, and ranking]] for explanation of consolidated vs. balance figures</ref>
|timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|EST]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|postal_code_type =
|postal_code =
|area_code = [[Area code 502|502]]
|elevation_m = 142
|elevation_ft = 466
|latd = 38 |latm = 15 |lats = 15 |latNS = N
|longd = 85 |longm = 45 |longs = 37 |longEW = W
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 21-48000
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0509453
|footnotes =
}}
'''Louisville''' (usually [[help:pronunciation|pronounced]] {{Audio-IPA|Loouhvull.ogg|/ˈluːǝvǝl/}}; see ''[[#Pronunciation|Pronunciation]]'' below) is [[Kentucky]]'s largest [[city]]. It is ranked as either the 17th or 27th largest city in the [[United States]] depending on how the population is calculated (see [[#Nomenclature, population and ranking|''Nomenclature, population and ranking'']] below). The [[colonization|settlement]] that became the City of Louisville was founded in 1778 by [[George Rogers Clark]] and is named after [[Louis XVI of France|King Louis XVI]] of [[France]]. Louisville is famous as the home of "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports": the [[Kentucky Derby]], the widely watched first [[horse racing|race]] of the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing]].
Louisville is situated in north-central Kentucky on the Kentucky-[[Indiana]] border at the only natural obstacle in the [[Ohio River]], the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Louisville is the [[county seat]] of [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], and since 2003, the city's borders are [[Wiktionary:coterminous|coterminous]] with those of the county due to [[consolidated city-county|merger]]. Because it includes counties in [[Southern Indiana]], the ''[[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]'' is regularly referred to as ''Kentuckiana''. A resident of Louisville is referred to as a '''Louisvillian'''. Although situated in a [[Southern United States|Southern state]], Louisville is influenced by both [[Midwestern United States|Midwestern]] and [[Culture of the Southern United States|Southern culture]], and is commonly referred to as either the northernmost Southern city or the southernmost Northern city in the United States.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Meyer |first=David R. |year=1989 |month=December |title=Midwestern Industrialization and the American Manufacturing Belt in the Nineteenth Century |journal=The Journal of Economic History |volume=49 |issue=4 |pages=921–937 |id= |url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-0507%28198912%2949%3A4%3C921%3AMIATAM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-J |accessdate=2007-02-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/?id=louisville-ky-usa | title=Emporis:Louisville, KY| accessmonthday=6 February | accessyear=2007}}</ref>
Louisville has been the site of many important innovations through history. Notable residents have included inventor [[Thomas Edison]], the first [[Jew]]ish [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] Justice [[Louis Brandeis]], [[boxing]] legend [[Muhammad Ali]], newscaster [[Diane Sawyer]], and writers [[Hunter S. Thompson]] and [[Sue Grafton]]. Notable events occurring in the city include the [[Southern Exposition|first public viewing place]] of Edison's [[incandescent light bulb|light bulb]], the first library open to [[African American]]s in the South,<ref>[http://www.uky.edu/Subject/lama.html African Americans in Library Professions : The Kentucky Connection]</ref><ref>[http://www.lfpl.org/western/htms/archives.htm Louisville Free Public Library - African-American Archives]</ref> and medical advances including the first human [[hand transplantation|hand transplant]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9E07E6DE1239F935A15752C0A96F958260 |title=Doctors in Louisville Perform Nation's First Hand Transplant |last=Altman |first=Lawrence K. |publisher=''[[The New York Times]]'' |date=1999-01-26 |accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref> the first self-contained [[artificial heart]] transplant,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/07/03/artificial.heart/index.html |title=Patient gets first totally implanted artificial heart |last=Rowland |first=Rhonda |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=2001-07-03 |accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref> and the development site of the first [[Gardasil|cervical cancer vaccine]].<ref>[http://www.browncancercenter.org/news/news_ind.aspx?id=185 Brown Cancer Center News - Inventors Praise FDA Approval of Cervical Cancer Vaccine]</ref>
==Nomenclature, population, and ranking==<!-- This section is linked to (from infobox, at least) -->
{| width="20%" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;" class="wikitable"
|-
! align=center | City of Louisville <br />Population by year<br />(Pre-merger)<ref>Gibson, Campbell. "[http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990]." ''[[United States Census Bureau]].'' June, 1998. Retrieved on [[July 10]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |ency=The Encyclopedia of Louisville |edition=1 |year=2001 |article=Population}}</ref>
|-
| align=center |
2000 - 256,231 <br />
1990 - 269,063 <br />
1980 - 298,451 <br />
1970 - 361,472 <br />
1960 - 390,639 <br />
1950 - 369,129 <br />
1940 - 319,077 <br />
1930 - 307,745 <br />
1920 - 234,891 <br />
1910 - 223,928 <br />
1900 - 204,731 <br />
1890 - 161,129 <br />
1880 - 123,758 <br />
1870 - 100,753 <br />
1860 - 68,033 <br />
1850 - 43,194 <br />
1840 - 21,210 <br />
1830 - 10,341 <br />
1820 - 4,012 <br />
1810 - 1,357<br />
1800 - 359<br />
1790 - 200<br />
|}
As of the [[United States Census, 2000|2000 Census]], Louisville had a [[population]] of 256,231; which for the first time since 1820 was less than the population of [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]], a city with a [[consolidated city-county]] [[government]]. However, on [[November 7]], [[2000]] voters in Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]] approved their own [[referendum|ballot measure]] to merge into a consolidated city-county government named '''Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government''' (official long form) and '''Louisville Metro''' (official short form), which took effect [[January 1]], [[2003]]. The Jefferson County-Louisville merger has a population more than twice as large as Lexington-Fayette.
The U.S. Census Bureau gives two different population figures for Louisville: for the consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County it lists the 2006 estimated population as 701,500 (17th largest in the nation and equal to that of Jefferson County);<ref name="census1">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2006-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2006] (line 25213)</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Phoenix 5th largest city as Philly falls; Louisville is 17th if all are counted |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070628/NEWS01/706280464 |publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]'' |date=2007-06-28 |accessdate=2007-06-28}}</ref> for the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|Louisville-Jefferson County balance]] it lists the population as 554,496 (27th largest).<ref name="census2">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2006-01.csv Census Population Estimates for 2006 - Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places Over 100,000] (line 31)</ref> The "balance" is a designation created by the Census Bureau to describe the portion of Louisville-Jefferson County that does not include any of the semi-independent separately incorporated places located within Louisville Metro (such as [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], [[Middletown, Kentucky|Middletown]] or [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]]).<ref name="census3">[http://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/ For what geographic areas does the Census Bureau produce estimates?]</ref>
[[Image:Picture 2098.jpg|thumb|left|Crescent Centre, a residential complex in [[Downtown Louisville|Downtown]]]]
Census methodology uses balance values in comparing consolidated cities to other cities for ranking purposes, so the lower ranking is the figure officially reported by the Census Bureau. Nevertheless, the higher ranking continues to be claimed by Louisville Metro government and business leaders, widely reported in the local media, and it has even been posted on [[Traffic sign|road signs]] at the [[city limits]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Marcus |last=Green |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/NEWS01/606230370 |title=Argh! City still No. 26; Census Bureau again clips Louisville's claim to No. 16 |publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]'' |date=2006-06-23 |accessdate=2006-06-23}}</ref>
The ''[[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]'' (MSA) (not to be confused with ''Louisville Metro''), has a population of 1,233,735 [[List of United States metropolitan areas|ranking 42nd nationally]]. The metro area includes Louisville-Jefferson County and 12 surrounding [[County (United States)|counties]], eight in Kentucky and four in [[Southern Indiana]] (see [[#Geography|''Geography'']] below). The [[Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area|Louisville Combined Statistical Area]] includes the MSA and three additional counties. It has a total population of 1,369,049, which ranks [[Table of United States primary census statistical areas|31st]] in the U.S.
{{-}}
===Pronunciation===<!-- This section is linked to -->
[[Image:Louisville pronunciationguide.jpg|right|thumb|The Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau displays many of the common pronunciations of the city's name on its logo.]]
Most native residents pronounce the city's name {{Audio-IPA-nohelp|Loouhvull.ogg|/ˈluːǝvǝl/}} ([[help:Pronunciation]]) — often this degrades further to {{Audio-IPA-nohelp|Luhvull.ogg|/ˈlǝvǝl/}}. The name is often pronounced far back in the mouth, in the top of the throat. The standard [[English language|English]] pronunciation, however, is {{Audio-IPA-nohelp|Looeevil.ogg|/ˈluːiːvɪl/}} (referring to King Louis XVI, for whom the city is named), which is often utilized by political leaders and the media. No matter how ''Louisville'' is pronounced, the 's' is always silent. (This contrasts with the name of the following cities: [[Louisville, Colorado]]; [[Louisville, Georgia]]; [[Louisville, Mississippi]]; [[Louisville, Tennessee]]; and [[Louisville, Ohio]], all of which are spelled the same, but are pronounced {{Audio-IPA-nohelp|Looisvil.ogg|/ˈluːɪsvɪl/}}.)
The variability of the local pronunciation of the city's name can perhaps be laid at the feet of the city's location on the border between the Northern and Southern [[List of regions of the United States|regions of the United States]]. Louisville's diverse population has traditionally represented elements of both Northern and Southern culture.
Regional [[human migration|migration]] patterns and the homogenization of [[dialect]] due to [[electronic media]] also may be responsible for the incidence of native-born Louisvillians adopting or affecting the standard [[English phonology|English pronunciation]]. Nevertheless, the {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} pronunciation is most popular among residents and is, with few exceptions, used by news and sports reporters.
==History==
{{main|History of Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{seealso|History of Kentucky|Louisville in the American Civil War|The Filson Historical Society}}
[[Image:George Rogers Clark.jpg|thumb|left|120px|Louisville's founder, [[George Rogers Clark]]]]
The first European settlement made in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville was on [[Corn Island (Kentucky)|Corn Island]] in 1778 by Col. [[George Rogers Clark]]. Today, Clark is recognized as the founder of Louisville, and several landmarks are named after him.<ref>{{cite web|title=George Rogers Clark: Kentucky Frontiersman, Hero, and Founder of Louisville|publisher=Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives|url=http://www.kdla.ky.gov/resources/kygrclark.htm|accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref>
Two years later, in 1780, the [[Virginia General Assembly]] approved the town charter of Louisville. The city was named in honor of King [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] of [[France]], whose soldiers at the time were aiding Americans in the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. Early residents lived in forts due to Indian raids, but were moving out by the late 1780s.<ref>{{cite book |title=Two Hundred Years at the Fall of the Ohio: A History of Louisville and Jefferson County |last=Yater |first=George H. |year=1987 |publisher=[[The Filson Historical Society|Filson Club, Incorporated]] |location=[[Louisville, KY]] |edition=2nd edition |pages=9–10 |id = ISBN 0-9601072-3-1}}</ref> In 1803, explorers [[Meriwether Lewis]] and [[William Clark (explorer)|William Clark]] organized their [[Lewis and Clark Expedition|expedition across America]] at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]] in Louisville.
[[Image:louisville 1846.jpg|thumb|right|View of Main Street, Louisville, in 1846.]]
The city attributes its early growth to the fact that river boats had to be unloaded and moved downriver before reaching the falls. By 1828, the population had swelled to 7,000 and Louisville became an incorporated city. The city grew rapidly in its formative years.<ref>Yater, pp. 46–48</ref>
Louisville had one of the largest [[Slavery in the United States|slave]] trades in the United States before the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and much of the city's initial growth is attributed to that trade. Louisville was the turning point for many enslaved [[African American|black]]s since Kentucky, although it was to be a [[Border states (Civil War)|border state]] in the Civil War, was nevertheless a [[slave state]] and crossing the [[Ohio River]] could lead to freedom in the North.
[[Image:1890TornadoMemorial.jpg|thumb|left|140px|Memorial to the [[Mid-Mississippi Valley Tornado Outbreak of March 1890|1890 tornado]], on Main Street in [[Downtown Louisville|Downtown]]]]
During the Civil War Louisville was a major stronghold of [[Union Army|Union forces]], which kept Kentucky firmly in the Union. It was the center of planning, supplies, recruiting and transportation for numerous campaigns. By the end of the war, Louisville itself had not been attacked even once, even though surrounded by skirmishes and battles. After 1865 returning [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] veterans largely took control of the city, leading to the jibe that it joined the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] after the war was over.
[[Image:Churchill Downs 1901.jpg|thumb|right|[[Churchill Downs]] in 1901.]]
The first [[Kentucky Derby]] was held on [[May 17]], [[1875]], at the Louisville Jockey Club track (later renamed to [[Churchill Downs]]). The Derby was originally shepherded by [[Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr.]], the grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. 10,000 spectators were present at the first Derby to watch [[Aristides (horse)|Aristides]] win the race.
On [[March 27]], [[1890]] the city was devastated and downtown nearly destroyed when an [[Fujita scale|F4]] [[tornado]] tore through the city at 8:30pm as part of the [[Mid-Mississippi Valley Tornado Outbreak of March 1890]]. An estimated 74 to 120 people were killed. The city quickly recovered and signs of the tornado were nearly totally absent within a year.
[[Image:1937 Ohio River flood - Louisville, Kentucky.jpg|thumb|right|Louisville during the [[Ohio River flood of 1937|"Great Flood of '37"]]]]
In late January and February of 1937, a month of heavy rain in which 19" fell prompted what became remembered as the [[Ohio River flood of 1937|"Great Flood of '37"]]. The [[flood]] submerged about 70% of the city, power was lost, and it forced the evacuation of 175,000 residents, and also led to fundamental changes in where residents bought houses. Today, the city is protected by numerous [[flood wall]]s. After the flood, the areas of high elevation in the eastern part of the city saw decades of growth.
Similar to many other older American cities, Louisville began to experience a flight of people and businesses to the suburbs in the 1960s and 1970s. Newly built freeways and interstates helped facilitate this shift. The West End and older areas of the South End in particular began to decline economically as many local factories closed. In 1974 a major ([[Fujita scale|F4]]) tornado hit Louisville as part of the [[Super Outbreak]] of tornadoes that struck 13 states. It covered 21 miles (34 km) and destroyed several hundred homes in the Louisville area but was only responsible for two deaths.<ref>{{cite book|title=Tornado: A Look Back at Louisville's Dark Day, April 3, 1974|year=2004|editor=Butler, William S.|publisher=Butler Books}}</ref>
[[Image:Louisville Fourthstreetlive.jpg|thumb|left|[[Fourth Street Live!]] opened in [[Downtown Louisville|Downtown]] in 2004]]
Jefferson County had a population loss of 31,000 from 1970 to 1990, but has since gained 45,000. The population within the old city limits dropped by 134,000 from its peak in 1970, falling from 33rd nationally to 58th, although its population is now stabilizing.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |ency=The Encyclopedia of Louisville |edition=1 |year=2001 |article=Population}}</ref>
Since the 1980s, many of the city's urban neighborhoods have been [[gentrification|revitalized]] into areas popular with young professionals and college students. The greatest change has occurred along the [[The Highlands (Louisville)|Bardstown Road corridor]], [[Clifton, Louisville|Frankfort Avenue]], and the [[Old Louisville]] neighborhood. Downtown has also experienced a large amount of growth, including the tripling of its population since 1990, the conversion of waterfront industrial sites into [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]], and the refurbishing of the former Galleria into the bustling entertainment complex [[Fourth Street Live!]].
==Geography==<!-- This section is linked to -->
{{mainarticle|Geography of Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[Image:Beargrass creek preserve.jpg|thumb|right|The 41 acre [[Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve]] is located in the heart of the city]]
Louisville is located at {{coor dms|38|13|44|N|85|44|58|W|region:US}} (38.228870, -85.749534){{GR|1}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Louisville Metro (in 2000 measurements for [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]]) has a total area of 399 square miles (1,032 km²), of which, 385 square miles (997 km²) of it is land and 13 square miles (35 km²) of it (3.38%) is water.
Louisville is located in the [[Bluegrass region]], but the city has a greater affinity for its location on the [[Ohio River]], which spurred Louisville's growth from an isolated camp site into a major shipping port. Much of the city is located on a very wide and flat [[floodplain|flood plain]] surrounded by hill country on all sides. Much of the area was swampland and had to be drained as the city grew. In the 1840s most creeks were rerouted or placed in canals to prevent flooding and subsequent disease outbreaks.
[[Image:Louemaindev.jpg|thumb|left|200px|New condominium construction along East Main Street]]
Areas generally east of I-65 are above the flood plain, and are composed of gently rolling hills. The Southernmost parts of Jefferson County are in the scenic and largely undeveloped [[Knobs region]] home to [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]].
The [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]] (MSA), the [[List of United States metropolitan areas|42nd largest]] in the United States, includes the Kentucky county of Jefferson ([[Wiktionary:coterminous|coterminous]] with Louisville Metro), plus twelve outlying
counties — eight in Kentucky and four in [[Southern Indiana]]. Between the [[United States Census, 1990|1990 Census]] and 2000 Census, the Louisville MSA's population outgrew [[Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area|Lexington]]'s by 149,415 and [[Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area|Cincinnati]]'s by 23,278. This MSA is included in the [[Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA), which also includes the [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky|Elizabethtown, KY]] MSA as well as the [[Scottsburg, Indiana|Scottsburg, IN]] [[United States micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Louisville CSA ranks [[Table of United States primary census statistical areas|39th]] in the U.S. in population.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab06.xls Population in Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) in Alphabetical Order and Numerical and Percent Change for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000]</ref>
===Climate===
[[Image:LVLKYHILO.gif|thumb|left|Graph constructed from data located on the NOAA Website.<ref>Climate information from [http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=C00095-PUB-A0001#TABLES NOAA]</ref>]]
Louisville is located on the northern limit of the [[humid subtropical climate]]. Summers are typically hot and humid with mildly warm evenings. The mean annual temperature is 56 [[Fahrenheit|°F]] (13 [[Celsius|°C]]), with an average annual snowfall of 16.4 [[inch]]es (41 cm) and an average annual rainfall of 44.53 inches (1131 mm). The wettest seasons are the spring and summer, although rainfall is fairly constant all year round. During the winter, particularly in January and February, several days of [[snow]] can be expected, allowing for [[winter sport]]s. January is the coldest month with average highs of {{convert|41|°F|°C|abbr=on}} and average lows of 25 °F (5 to −4 °C) and July the hottest month with average high and low temperatures from 87 to 69.8 °F (31 and 21 °C).<ref>Climate information from [http://ols.nndc.noaa.gov/plolstore/plsql/olstore.prodspecific?prodnum=C00095-PUB-A0001#TABLES NOAA]</ref> The highest recorded temperature was 105 °F (41 °C) on [[July 14]], [[1954]], and the lowest recorded temperature was −22 °F (−30 °C) on [[January 19]], [[1994]].<ref>Maximum and minimum temperatures from [http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/USKY1096_c.html Yahoo! Weather]</ref> However, in any season, temperatures can vary widely day by day, because of Louisville's location where many fronts often converge. [[Severe weather]] is not uncommon; the area is prone to almost all types of non-tropical weather extremes, including [[tornado]]es, [[thunderstorm|severe thunderstorms]], [[ice storm]]s and extreme heat and cold.
Much like the [[San Fernando Valley]] in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], Louisville's [[Ohio River]] Valley location traps [[air pollution]]. The city is ranked by [[Environmental Defense]] as America's 38th worst city for air quality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environmentaldefense.org/cleanairforlife.cfm?subnav=aiyc_city&cityID=38|publisher=Environmental Defense|title=Clean Air in your city|accessdate=2007-07-24}}</ref> Louisville also often exemplifies the [[urban heat island|heat island effect]]. Temperatures in commercial areas and in the industrialized areas along interstates are often higher than in the suburbs, particularly the shaded areas, like [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], where temperatures are often five degrees Fahrenheit (3 °C) cooler.
==Cityscape==
{{main|Cityscape of Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{seealso|Downtown Louisville|Louisville neighborhoods|List of parks in Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[Image:LouisvilleNightSkyline2-small.jpg|thumb|right|[[Downtown Louisville]] at night]]
[[Image:Highlands.jpg|thumb|left|East Louisville's Highlands district]]
The [[Downtown Louisville|downtown business district]] of Louisville is located immediately [[south]] of the [[Ohio River]], and [[cardinal direction|southeast]] of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Major roads extend outwards from the downtown area to all directions, like the spokes of a wheel. The [[Louisville International Airport|airport]] is located approximately 6.75 miles (10 km) south of the downtown area. The [[industry|industrial]] sections of town are located to the south and west of the airport, while most of the [[residential area]]s of the city are located to the southwest, south and east of downtown. The Louisville skyline is slated to be changed with the proposed 62-story [[Louisville Museum Plaza|Museum Plaza]] as well as a 22,000-seat [[Louisville waterfront arena|waterfront arena]].
Another primary business and [[industrial district]] is located in the suburban area east of the city on Hurstbourne Parkway.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]'' |title=Office space goes begging |date=2006-02-26 |last=Berzof |first=Ken}}</ref> Louisville's late 19th and early 20th century development was spurred by three large suburban parks built at the edges of the city in 1890.
The city's [[architecture]] contains a blend of old and new. The [[Old Louisville]] neighborhood is the largest [[historic preservation]] district solely featuring [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] homes and buildings in the [[United States]], it is also the third largest such district overall. There are many modern skyscrapers downtown, as well as older preserved structures. The buildings of West Main Street in downtown Louisville boast the largest collection of [[cast iron]] facades of anywhere outside of [[New York City|New York]]'s [[SoHo]] district.<ref>[http://www.louisvilleky.gov/DowntownDevelopment/News/2006/DowntownActivity.htm Louisville's Downtown Alive with Development]</ref>
[[Image:4th and hill.jpg|thumb|left|[[Werne's Row]] in [[Old Louisville]]]]
[[Image:EMain2075.jpg|thumb|right|New construction in [[Downtown Louisville]]]]
Since the mid-20th century, Louisville has in some ways been divided up into three sides of town: the West End, the South End, and the East End. In 2003, Bill Dakan, a University of Louisville geography professor, said that the West End, west of 7th Street and north of Algonquin Parkway, is "a [[euphemism]] for the African-American part of town" although he points out that this belief is not entirely true, and most Africans Americans no longer live in areas where more than 80% of residents are black.
Nevertheless, he says the perception is still strong.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]'' |title=Will old names work in 'new' city? |last=Pike |first=Bill |page=1N |date=2003-01-23}}</ref> The South End has long had a reputation as a white, [[Working class|working-class]] part of town, while the East End has been seen as middle and [[upper class]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Read all about it: Valley has city united|author=Forde, Pat|date=2002-08-26|publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]''}}</ref>
According to the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors, the area with the lowest median home sales price is west of Interstate 65, in the West and South Ends, the middle range of home sales prices are between Interstates 64 and 65 in the South and East Ends, and the highest median home sales price are north of Interstate 64 in the East End.<ref>[http://www.courier-journal.com/kyguide/2006/housing_resources.html ''The Courier-Journal'' 2006–07 Kentuckiana Guide]</ref> Immigrants from [[Southeast Asia]] tend to settle in the South End, while immigrants from [[Eastern Europe]] settle in the East End.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=[[Jefferson Community College]] |title=Continuity and Change in Louisville's Ethnic Communities |last=Cummins |first=Peggy}}</ref>
==Government and politics==
{{main|Government of Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{seealso|List of mayors of Louisville, Kentucky}}
Louisville Metro is governed by an executive dubbed the [[Mayor of Louisville Metro|Metro Mayor]] as well as a [[city council|city legislature]] dubbed the [[Louisville Metro Council|Metro Council]]. The first and current Metro Mayor is [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]), who was also the longest serving [[List of mayors of Louisville, Kentucky|Mayor of the former City of Louisville]]'s history, serving from 1985 to 1998. This has earned him the nickname "Mayor for Life"<ref>{{cite news |title=Abramson files to seek re-election |date=2006-01-25 |publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]'' |last=Gerth |first=Joseph |page=1B}}</ref>
[[Image:572144cv.jpg|thumb|right|[[Louisville City Hall]] in [[Downtown Louisville|downtown]].]]
The Metro Council consists of 26 seats corresponding to 26 districts apportioned by population throughout the city and county. The residents of the semi-independent municipalities within Louisville Metro are apportioned to districts along with all other county residents. Half (13) of the seats come up for reelection every two years. The council is chaired by a [[Louisville Metro Council#Council President|Council President]], currently Jim King (D), who is elected by the council members annually.
The Official Seal of the City of Louisville, no longer used following the formation of a [[consolidated city-county]] government in 2003, reflected its history and heritage in the [[fleur-de-lis]] representing [[France|French]] aid given during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], and the thirteen stars signify the original colonies. The new seal of the consolidated government retains the fleur-de-lis, but has only two stars, one representing the city and the other the county.
[[Kentucky's 3rd congressional district]] is roughly [[Wiktionary:coterminous|coterminous]] with Louisville Metro, which is represented by [[United States House of Representatives|Rep.]] [[John Yarmuth]] (D), though some of the southern areas of the city are in the [[Kentucky's 2nd congressional district|2nd congressional district]], which is represented by [[Ron Lewis]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ksdc.louisville.edu/sdc/congress.htm|title=Kentucky Congressional District Data and Maps|accessdate=2007-05-09|publisher=Kentucky State Data Center}}</ref>
===Crime and public safety===
{{seealso|Louisville Metro Police Department}}
[[Image:LouMetPolice.jpg|thumb|left|220px|A [[Louisville Metro Police Department|Louisville Metro Police]] car]]
Louisville is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the country and has been ranked in the Top 10 safest large cities by [[Morgan Quitno]] in the past 4 years. In the 2005 Morgan Quitno survey, Louisville was rated as the seventh safest large city in the [[United States]].<ref>"[http://morganquitno.com/cit06pop.htm#CITIES America's Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities]." ''[[Morgan Quitno|Morgan Quitno Press]].'' [[November 21]], [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[July 8]], [[2006]].</ref> The 2006 edition of the survey ranked Louisville eighth.<ref>{{cite news |title=Louisville among nation's safest cities |date=2006-10-31 |publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]''}}</ref>
{| width="20%" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;" class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Year !! Murders
|-
| 2005
| 55
|-
| 2006
| 50
|-
| 2007
| 79
|-
| 2008
| 17 (as of 4-21)
|}
In 2006, Louisville-Jefferson County recorded only 50 murders, compared to over 100 murders in the similarly sized cities of [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]], [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], [[Indianapolis, Indiana|Indianapolis]], [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]], and [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]]. Louisville's total [[crime rate]] was less than half of most surrounding cities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theurbanlouisvillian.blogspot.com/2007/06/fbi-crime-statistics-from-2006-released.html |title=The Urban Louisvillian - FBI Crime Statistics from 2006 Released}}</ref>
The Louisville Metro Area's overall [[violent crime]] rate was 412.6 per 100,000 residents in 2005, compared with a rate of 894.1 for Nashville, 575.4 for Indianapolis, and 544.4 for [[St. Louis, Missouri|St Louis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.morganquitno.com/met05a.pdf |title=Morgan Quitno - Violent Crime Rate in 2005 (ordered by metro area)}}</ref> The Elizabethtown, Kentucky Metro Area, which is part of Louisville's Combined Statistical Area, was the 17th safest Metro in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#METRO |title=Morgan Quitno - Safest 25 Metropolitan Areas}}</ref> Kentucky has the 5th lowest violent crime rate out of the 50 States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004912.html |title=Infoplease - Crime Rate by State, 2004 (rate per 100,000 inhabitants)}}</ref>
Violent crime is most concentrated West of Downtown, especially in the [[Russell, Louisville|Russell]] neighborhood. The West End, located north of Algonquin Parkway and West of 9th Street, had 32 of the city's 79 murders in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=courier-journal.com - Jefferson County homicide victims, 2007 |url=http://datacenter.courier-journal.com/police/homicides/victims.php?year=2007 }}</ref>
==Demographics==
:''Note:'' All demographics are the same as that of [[Jefferson County, Kentucky]], which merged with the former City of Louisville on [[January 6]], [[2003]].
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the city/county. The [[population density]] was 1,801 people per square mile (695/km²). There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of 794/sq mi (307/km²). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of the city/county is 77.38% [[white American|White]], 18.88% Black or [[African American]], 0.22% [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]], 1.39% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander American|Pacific Islander]], 0.68% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|other races]], and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population was [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Latino]] of any race.
As of 2007, the demographics of the actual "city" of Louisville (which does not include the population of the county) puts Louisville at 245,315 people and 3,995 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city is 60.05% white, 35.22% black, 1.86% Asian, 0.24% Native American, and 2.95% 'Other'. 2.42% of the people in Louisville, KY, claim hispanic ethnicity (meaning 97.58% are non-hispanic).
There were 287,012 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.
The age distribution is 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.
The [[Median household income|median income]] for a household is $39,457, and the median income for a family was $49,161. Males had a median income of $36,484 versus $26,255 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $22,352. About 9.50% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the [[poverty threshold|poverty line]], including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those ages 65 or over.
17% of the state's population lives in Jefferson County and 25% live in counties in the Louisville CSA, and also Jefferson County has 2.5 times more people than Kentucky's second most populous county, Fayette County. 12 of the 15 buildings in Kentucky over {{convert|300|ft|m}} are located in [[downtown Louisville]]. Over one-third of the population growth in Kentucky is in Louisville's CSA counties.
===Religion===
[[Image:Cathedral Assumption Louisville.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Louisville's [[Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville|Cathedral of the Assumption]]]]
Religion is very prominent in Louisville which hosts several religious institutions of various faiths. There are 135,421 Catholic Louisvillians who are part of the Archdiocese of Louisville covering 24 counties in central Kentucky (consisting of 121 parishes and missions spread over 8,124 square miles).<ref>Data on Catholic residents from the Archdiocese of Louisville [http://www.archlou.org/Statistics]</ref> The [[Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville|Cathedral of the Assumption]] located in downtown Louisville is the seat of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville|Archdiocese of Louisville]]. [[Abbey of Gethsemani|Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey]], the monastic home of Catholic writer [[Thomas Merton]], is in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky]] and also located in the archdiocese. Louisville is also the home of [[Our Lady's Rosary Makers]], the largest [[Catholic]] [[Rosary]] making group in the United States with 17,000 active members worldwide.
A sizable number of Louisvillians belong to a [[Protestantism|Protestant]] faith. One in three Louisvillians is Southern Baptist belonging to one of 147 local Southern Baptist Congregations.<ref>Data on Baptist Population from LRA website[http://www.lrba.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=20083&PID=430832 Long Run Baptist Association]</ref> [[Southeast Christian Church]], a [[megachurch]] and one of the largest [[Christian Church|Christian churches]] in the United States, is located in Louisville. The city is home to [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary|The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]], [[Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary]] and the headquarters of the [[Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]]. Additionally, Louisville is home to the oldest African American Seventh-day Adventist congregation, Magazine Street [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]]. The historic [[Christ Church Cathedral, Louisville|Christ Church Cathedral]] is the seat of the [[Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky]].
Louisville is home to three [[Eastern Orthodox]] parishes. Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, as well as two Antiochian parishes, St. George and St. Michael the Archangel serve the Orthodox of the area.
The [[Louisville Kentucky Temple]], the 76th temple of the [[Latter Day Saints]] ([[Mormon]]) faith, is located in nearby [[Crestwood, Kentucky|Crestwood]].
There is a [[Jew]]ish population of around 8,500 in the city and five synagogues. Most Jewish families originally came from [[Eastern Europe]] at the turn of the 20th century, and around 800 [[History of the Jews in Russia and the Soviet Union|Soviet Jews]] have moved to Louisville since 1991.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]''|title=Some synagogues eye broader styles of worship|date=2003-09-28|author=Smith, Peter}}</ref> Jewish immigrants founded [[Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare|Jewish Hospital]], which was once the center of the city's Jewish district. Jewish hospital recently merged with the Catholic [[Health care systems|healthcare system]] CARITAS.
Kentucky's only [[Hindu temple]] opened in suburban Louisville in 1999, and had about 125 members and two full-time priests in 2000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hindu temple greets visitors |publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]'' |date=2000-12-03 |author=Haukebo, Kirsten}}</ref> In 2001, there were an estimated four to ten thousand practicing Muslims in Louisville attending six local mosques.<ref>{{cite news|title=ISLAM IN AMERICA; Muslims a diverse presence in Kentucky|date=2001-11-18|publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]''|author=Smith, Peter}}</ref>
==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{seealso|Greater Louisville Inc.}}
[[Image:Bourbon-bottle from Gettysburg.jpeg|right|thumb|Bourbon bottle, 19th century. One-third of all [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville.]]
Louisville's early economy first developed through the shipping and cargo industries. Its strategic location at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]], as well as its unique position in the central [[United States]] (within one day's road travel to 60% of the cities in the continental U.S.) make it an ideal location for the transfer of cargo along its route to other destinations.<ref>{{cite book|title=Louisville Survey: Central Report|year=1978|last=Kramer|first=Carl|pages=32}}</ref> The [[McAlpine Locks and Dam|Louisville and Portland Canal]] and the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] were important links in water and rail transportation. Louisville's importance to the [[Shipping|shipping industry]] continues today with the presence of the [[Worldport (UPS air hub)|Worldport]] global air hub for [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] at Louisville International Airport. Louisville's location at the crossroads of three major [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate highways]] ([[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]]) also contributes to its modern-day strategic importance to the shipping and cargo industry. As of 2003, Louisville ranks as the 7th largest [[inland port]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite paper|url=http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/ndc/wcsc/pdf/inlandport03f.pdf|title=Top 20 Inland U.S. Ports for 2003|publisher=US Army Corps of Engineers}}</ref>
Recently, Louisville has emerged as a major center for the [[health care]] and [[medicine|medical sciences]] industries. Louisville has been central to advancements in [[cardiac surgery|heart]] and [[hand surgery]] as well as [[cancer|cancer treatment]]. Some of the earliest [[artificial heart]] transplants were conducted in Louisville. Louisville's thriving downtown medical research campus includes a new $88 million [[Rehabilitation|rehabilitation center]], and a [[health science]]s research and commercialization park that, in partnership with the University of Louisville, has lured nearly 70 top scientists and researchers. Louisville is also home to [[Humana]], one of the nation's largest [[health insurance]] companies.
Louisville is home to several major [[corporation]]s and organizations:
*[[Brown-Forman Corporation]] ([[Fortune 1000]])
*[[Hillerich & Bradsby]] (known for ''Louisville Slugger'' [[baseball]] bats)
*[[PNC Financial Services|Hilliard Lyons]] (investment firm)
*[[Republic Bank]]
*[[Stock Yards Bank]]
*[[Humana]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Kindred Healthcare|Kindred Healthcare Incorporated]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Norton Healthcare]]
*[[Papa John's Pizza]]
*[[PharMerica]] ([[Fortune 1000]])
*[[Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]]
*[[Yum! Brands, Inc.]] (owners of [[KFC]], [[Pizza Hut]], and [[Taco Bell]] which were formerly ''Tricon Global Restaurants'' (a spin-off of [[PepsiCo]]) as well as [[Long John Silver's]] and [[A & W Restaurants]] which were formerly ''Yorkshire Global Restaurants'') ([[Fortune 500]])
[[Image:Humana.jpg|thumb|left|[[Humana]] headquarters in [[Downtown Louisville]]]]
Louisville for a long time was also home to [[Brown & Williamson]], the third largest company in the [[tobacco industry]] before merging with [[R. J. Reynolds]] in 2004 to form the [[Reynolds American]] Company. Brown & Williamson, one of the subjects of the tobacco industry [[corporate scandal|scandal]]s of the 1990s, was the focus of [[The Insider (film)|''The Insider'']], a [[1999 in film|1999 film]] shot around the Louisville area. Also located in Louisville are two major [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] plants, and a major [[General Electric]] appliance factory.
Additionally, one third of all of the [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville. The [[Brown-Forman Corporation]] is one of the major makers of bourbon, which is headquartered in Louisville. Other major distilleries of bourbon can be found both in the city of Louisville, and in neighboring cities in [[Kentucky]].
Louisville also prides itself in its large assortment of small, independent businesses and restaurants, some of which have become known for their ingenuity and creativity. In 1926 the [[Brown Hotel]] became the home of the [[Hot Brown]] "sandwich". A few blocks away, the [[Seelbach Hotel]], which [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] references in ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'', is also famous for a secret back room where [[Al Capone]] would regularly meet with associates during the [[Prohibition]] era.
Several major motion pictures have also been filmed in or near Louisville, including ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'', ''[[Stripes (film)|Stripes]]'', ''The Insider'', ''[[Lawn Dogs]]'', ''Nice Guys Sleep Alone'', ''Keep Your Distance'' and ''[[Elizabethtown (film)|Elizabethtown]]''.
==Culture==
===Annual festivals and other events===
{{seealso|List of attractions and events in Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[Image:Thunder over louisville 2006.jpg|thumb|right|2006 [[Kentucky Derby Festival]] [[Thunder Over Louisville]] fireworks display as seen from the Kentucky side of the [[Ohio River]]]]
Louisville is home to a number of annual cultural events. Perhaps most well-known is the [[Kentucky Derby]], held annually during the first Saturday of May. The Derby is preceded by a two-week long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]], which starts with the annual [[Thunder Over Louisville]], the largest annual [[Fireworks|fireworks display]] in the nation. The Kentucky Derby Festival also features notable events such as the Pegasus Parade, The Great Steamboat Race, Great [[Balloon flight contest|Balloon Race]], a [[marathon (sport)|marathon]], and about seventy events in total. Esquire magazine has called the Kentucky Derby "the biggest party in the south."
Usually beginning in late February or early March is the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] at [[Actors Theatre of Louisville]], an internationally acclaimed new-play festival that lasts approximately six weeks.
On [[Memorial Day]] Weekend, Louisville hosts the largest annual [[The Beatles|Beatles]] Festival in the world, [http://www.abbeyroadontheriver.com Abbey Road on the River]. The festival lasts five days and is located on the [[Riverfront Plaza/Belvedere|Belvedere]] in downtown Louisville.
The summer season in Louisville also features a series of cultural events such as the [[Kentucky Shakespeare Festival]] (commonly called [[Shakespeare in the Park]]), held in July of every year and features free [[Shakespeare]] plays in [[Central Park, Louisville|Central Park]] in [[Old Louisville]]. The [[Kentucky State Fair]] is held every August at the [[Kentucky Exposition Center]] in Louisville as well, featuring an array of culture from all areas of [[Kentucky]].
[[Image:BalloonRace AdamMatthews 09232005.jpg|thumb|left|The annual [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]]]]
In September is the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]], the fifth largest [[hot air balloon]] festival in the nation. The festival features early morning balloon races, as well as balloon glows in the evening. Also in September, in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]], is the annual Kentucky [[bourbon whiskey|Bourbon]] Festival, which features some of the finest bourbon in the world. The suburb of [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]] is also the home of the annual Gaslight Festival, a series of events spread over a week. Attendance is approximately 200,000 for the week.
The month of October features the [[St. James Court Art Show]] in Old Louisville. Thousands of artists gather on the streets and in the courtyard to exhibit and sell their wares, and the event is attended by many art collectors and enthusiasts. The show is the second most attended event next to the Derby. Another art-related event that occurs every month is the [http://www.firstfridaytrolleyhop.com/ First Friday Trolley Hop]. A [[Transit Authority of River City|TARC]] trolley takes art lovers to many downtown area art galleries on the first Friday of every month.
===Museums, galleries, and interpretive centers===
[[Image:LouisvilleSluggerMusem.jpg|right|thumb|A giant [[baseball]] bat adorns the outside of [[Louisville Slugger Museum]] in [[downtown Louisville]].]]
{{seealso|Museums of Louisville, Kentucky|List of attractions and events in Louisville, Kentucky}}
The [[West Main District (Louisville)|West Main District]] in [[downtown Louisville]] features what is locally known as "Museum Row". In this area, the [[Frazier International History Museum]], which opened in 2004, features a collection of arms, armor and related historical artifacts spanning 1,000 years, concentrating on [[United States|U.S.]] and [[United Kingdom|UK]] arms. The building features three stories of exhibits, two reenactment arenas, a 120-seat auditorium, and a 48-seat [[movie theater]]. Also nearby is the [[Louisville Science Center]], which is [[Kentucky]]'s largest hands-on science center and features interactive exhibits, [[IMAX]] films, educational programs and technology networks. The [[Muhammad Ali Center]] opened November 2005 in "Museum Row" and features Louisville native [[Muhammad Ali]]'s [[boxing]] memorabilia, as well as information on the core themes that he has taken to heart: peace, [[social responsibility]], respect and [[Personal development|personal growth]].
[[Image:AliCenter.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Muhammad Ali]] Center, alongside [[Interstate 64]] on Louisville's riverfront]]
The [[Speed Art Museum]] opened in 1927 and is the oldest and largest [[art gallery|art museum]] in the state of [[Kentucky]]. Located adjacent to the [[University of Louisville]], the museum features over 12,000 pieces of art in its permanent collection and hosts regular temporary exhibitions. Multiple art galleries are located in the city, but they are especially concentrated in the East Market Street area of downtown. This row of galleries, plus others in the West Main District, are prominently featured in the monthly First Friday Trolley Hop.
[[Image:LocustGroveMansion.jpg|thumb|right|[[Historic Locust Grove]], the final residence of Louisville founder [[George Rogers Clark]]]]
Several [[local history]] museums can be found in the Louisville area. The most prominent among them is [[The Filson Historical Society]], founded in 1884, which has holdings exceeding 1.5 million manuscript items and over 50,000 volumes in the library. The Filson's extensive collections focus on [[Kentucky]], the [[Upper South]], and the [[Ohio River Valley]], and contain a large collection of portraiture and over ten thousand museum artifacts. Other local history museums include the [[Portland Museum (Louisville)|Portland Museum]], [[Historic Locust Grove]], [[St. James-Belgravia Historic District#Conrad-Caldwell House|Conrad-Caldwell House Museum]], the [[Falls of the Ohio State Park]] [[interpretive center]] ([[Clarksville, Indiana]]), [[Howard Steamboat Museum]] ([[Jeffersonville, Indiana]]) and the [[Carnegie Center for Art and History]] ([[New Albany, Indiana]]). The Falls interpretive center, part of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]], also functions as a [[natural history]] museum, covering findings in the nearby exposed [[Devonian]] [[fossil]] bed.
[[Image:Belle of Louisville 2.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Belle of Louisville]]]]
There are also several historical properties and items of interest in the area, including the [[Belle of Louisville]], the oldest [[Mississippi]]-style [[steamboat]] in operation in the [[United States]]. The [[United States Marine Hospital of Louisville]] is considered the best remaining [[antebellum]] hospital in the United States. It was designed by [[Robert Mills (architect)|Robert Mills]], who is best known as the designer of the [[Washington Monument]]. [[Fort Knox]], spread out among [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]], [[Hardin County, Kentucky|Hardin]] and [[Meade County, Kentucky|Meade]] Counties (two of which are in the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]), is home to the [[United States Bullion Depository|U.S. Bullion Depository]] and the [[General George Patton Museum]]. The previously mentioned Locust Grove, former home of Louisville Founder [[George Rogers Clark]], portrays life in the early days of the city. Other notable properties include the [[Farmington Historic Home]] (home of the famous Speed family), [[Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing]], and the restored [[Union Station (Louisville)|Union Station]], which was opened in [[September 7]], [[1891]]. The Louisville area is also home to the [[Waverly Hills Sanatorium]], a [[Fin de siècle|turn-of-the-century]] (20th) [[hospital]] that was originally built to accommodate [[tuberculosis]] patients, and is now listed as one of the nation's most [[haunted house]]s.{{who}}
===Media===
{{main|Media of Louisville, Kentucky}}
Louisville's [[newspaper]] of record is ''[[The Courier-Journal]]'', and the alternative paper is the progressive [[alternative weekly|alt-weekly]] [[Louisville Eccentric Observer]] (commonly called 'LEO'), which was founded by [[Kentucky's 3rd congressional district|3rd district]] [[U.S. House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] [[John Yarmuth]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]). [[WAVE (TV)|WAVE 3]], an [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]] affiliate, was Kentucky's first TV station. Another prominent TV station is [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[WHAS-TV|WHAS 11]], formerly owned by the famous [[Barry Bingham, Jr.|Bingham]] family (who also owned ''The Courier-Journal''), which hosts the regionally notable annual fundraiser, the [[WHAS Crusade for Children]]. [[WDRB|WDRB-FOX41]]/[[WMYO]] and [[Columbia Broadcasting Service|CBS]] affiliate [[WLKY-TV|WLKY 32]] round out the major television stations in the city. The most popular [[radio station]] is [[WHAS (AM)|84 WHAS]] 840 AM, designated by the FCC as a [[clear channel]]. This station was also formerly owned by the Binghams (now [[Clear Channel Communications]]), and is a [[talk radio]] station which also broadcasts regional sports.
===Parks and outdoor attractions===
[[Image:WaterfrontPkDwnt.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Louisville Waterfront Park]] exhibits rolling hills, spacious lawns and walking paths on Louisville's waterfront in the [[Downtown Louisville|downtown area]].]]
{{seealso|List of parks in Louisville, Kentucky|List of attractions and events in Louisville, Kentucky}}
Louisville Metro has 122 city [[park]]s covering more than 14,000 acres (57 km²). Several of these parks were designed by [[Frederick Law Olmsted]], who also designed [[New York City]]'s [[Central Park]] as well as parks, parkways, college campuses and public facilities in many U.S. locations. The [[Louisville Waterfront Park]] is prominently located on the banks of the [[Ohio River]] near downtown, and features large open areas, which often feature free [[concert]]s and other [[festival]]s. [[Cherokee Park]], one of the most visited parks in the nation,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tpl.org/content_documents/ccpe_MostVisitedParks.pdf |title=America's Most Visited City Parks |accessdate=2007-04-02}}</ref> features a {{convert|2.6|mi|km|1|sing=on}} mixed-use loop and many well-known landscaping features. Other notable parks in the system include [[Iroquois Park]], [[Shawnee Park]] and [[Central Park, Louisville|Central Park]].
Going a bit further out from the downtown area is the [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] which, at 6,057 acres (24.52 km²), is the largest municipal [[urban forest]] in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Jefferson Memorial Forest grows by {{convert|400|acre|km2|1}} |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2005/12/26/daily4.html |publisher=''[[Business First]]'' |date=2005-12-27 |accessdate=2007-04-03}}</ref> The forest is designated as a [[National Audubon Society]] [[wildlife refuge]], and offers over 30 miles (50 km) of various hiking trails.
[[Otter Creek Park]] is another large park nearby. While actually in [[Brandenburg, Kentucky]], Otter Creek Park is owned and operated by Louisville Metro government. The park's namesake, Otter Creek, winds along the eastern side of the park. A scenic bend in the [[Ohio River]], which divides [[Kentucky]] from [[Indiana]], can be seen from northern overlooks within the park. The park is a popular [[mountain biking]] destination, with trails maintained by a local [[mountain bike]] organization.
[[Image:MetroLoopLBT.jpg|thumb|left|170px|A new section of the [[Louisville Loop]] Bike Trail]]
Other outdoor points of interest in the Louisville area include [[Cave Hill Cemetery]] (the burial location of [[Colonel Sanders|Col. Harland Sanders]]), [[Zachary Taylor National Cemetery]] (the burial location of [[President of the United States|President]] [[Zachary Taylor]]), the [[Louisville Zoo]], [[Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom]] and the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]].
In development is the [[City of Parks]], a project to create a continuous paved pedestrian and biking trail around Louisville Metro while also adding a large amount of park land. Current plans call for making basically the entire {{convert|1600|acre|km2|0|sing=on}} Floyds Fork flood plain in eastern [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]] into park space, expanding area in the Jefferson Memorial Forest, and adding riverfront land and wharfs along the [[Riverwalk Trail]] and [[Levee Trail]].
===Performing arts===
[[Image:The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.jpg|thumb|The [[Kentucky Center]] in [[Downtown Louisville]]]]
{{main|Performing arts in Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{seealso|Theater in Kentucky|List of attractions and events in Louisville, Kentucky}}
The [[Kentucky Center]], dedicated in 1983, located in the downtown hotel and entertainment district, features a variety of plays and concerts. This is also the home of the [[Louisville Ballet]], [[Louisville Orchestra]], Stage One, and the [[Kentucky Opera]], which is the twelfth oldest [[opera]] in the [[United States]].
[[Actors Theatre of Louisville]], the centerpiece of the city's urban cultural district, has significant economic impact on a vital downtown life. Highly acclaimed for its artistic programming and business acumen, Actors Theatre hosts the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] each Spring. It also presents approximately six hundred performances of about thirty productions during its year-round season, composed of a diverse array of contemporary and classical fare.
[[The Louisville Palace]], the official venue for the Louisville Orchestra, is an elegant, ornate theatre in [[downtown Louisville]]'s so-called theatre district. In addition to orchestra performances, the theatre also features an array of popular [[film|movie]]s, old and new, as well as concerts by popular artists.
[[Iroquois Park]] is the home of the renovated [[Iroquois Amphitheater]] which hosts the productions of [[Music Theatre Louisville]] as well as a variety of musical concerts in a partially covered outdoor setting.
===Sports===
[[Image:Louisville slugger field evening 2002.jpg|thumb|right|[[Louisville Slugger Field]], where the [[Louisville Bats]] play.]]
{{main|Sports in Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[College sports]] are very popular in the Louisville area, especially [[college basketball]]. The Louisville market has ranked first in ratings for the NCAA men's basketball tournament every year since 1999.<ref>{{cite news |title=Louisville No. 1 in basketball TV ratings |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080408/SPORTS/80408025 |publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]'' |date=2008-04-08 |accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref> The [[Louisville Cardinals men's basketball|University of Louisville men's basketball]] team, which won two national titles under coach [[Denny Crum]], is the most profitable [[college basketball]] program in the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=NCAA's bottom line winners|url=http://money.cnn.com/2004/03/18/news/companies/ncaa_profits/|author=Isidore, Chris|date=2004-03-18|publisher=CNN/Money}}</ref> In 2001, Crum retired and was succeeded by [[Rick Pitino]], former coach of the [[Boston Celtics]] and the [[Kentucky Wildcats]]. Pitino's hiring became a key event in the [[Kentucky-Louisville rivalry]], which was renewed in 1983 and is considered one of the fiercest non-conference rivalries in college basketball.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://espn.go.com/ncb/columns/katz_andy/1502933.html|title=Best teams make today's best rivalries|author=Katz, Andy|date=2007-02-02|publisher=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref>
The [[Louisville Cardinals football]] team, which had produced talent like [[Johnny Unitas]], [[Deion Branch]], [[Sam Madison]] and [[Ray Buchanan]], achieved national respect in the 1990s under coach [[Howard Schnellenberger]] when the team overwhelmingly defeated Alabama in the [[Fiesta Bowl]]. The program's stock continued to rise as it joined the [[Big East Conference]] and won the [[Orange Bowl (game)|FedEx Orange Bowl]] in 2007 under [[Bobby Petrino]]. The University of Louisville baseball team advanced to the [[College World Series]] in Omaha in 2007, as one of the final eight teams to compete for the national championship.
[[Image:Derby.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Kentucky Derby]] in progress at [[Churchill Downs]].]]
Horse racing is also a major attraction. [[Churchill Downs]] is home to the [[Kentucky Derby]], the largest [[Sport|sporting event]] in the state, as well as the [[Kentucky Oaks]] which together cap the two-week-long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]]. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned [[Breeders' Cup]] on six occasions, most recently in 2006.
Louisville is also the home of [[Valhalla Golf Club]] which hosted the 1996 and 2000 [[PGA Championship]]s and the 2004 [[Senior PGA Championship]], and will host the 2008 [[Ryder Cup]]. It is also home to [[Louisville Extreme Park]], open since 2002, and which skateboarder [[Tony Hawk]] has called one of his top five skate parks.<ref>[http://skateboardermag.com/Google-Earth/louisville-extreme-park/ Skateboarder Magazine: Louisville Extreme Park]</ref>
Louisville has six professional and [[semi-professional]] sports teams. The [[Louisville Bats]] are a [[baseball]] team playing in the [[International League]] as the Class AAA affiliate of the nearby [[Cincinnati Reds]]. The team plays at [[Louisville Slugger Field]] at the edge of the city's downtown. The [[Louisville Fire]] play in [[af2]], the [[minor league]] of the [[Arena Football League]]. The [[Louisville Chill]] are a minor league hockey team and play in the [[Midwest Hockey League]].
[[Image:Louisville Skatepark-night-2002.jpg|thumb|right|[[Louisville Extreme Park]]]]
The city of Louisville has made several unsuccessful bids in recent years to draw [[Major professional sports league|major league sports]] teams to the city, most notably when the [[Vancouver Grizzlies]] franchise was considering a move several years ago, as well as the [[New Orleans Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]] franchise, which ultimately ended up in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]].
High school sports are also popular. Louisville area high schools have been dominant in [[American football|football]] for decades. Schools such as [[Butler Traditional High School|Butler]], [[St. Xavier High School, Louisville, Kentucky|St. Xavier]], [[Trinity High School (Louisville, Kentucky)|Trinity]] and [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] have won every state 4A football title except one since 1992 and have been 13 of the 15 finalists since 1997. Some fierce rivalries have developed over the years. The annual game between St. Xavier and Trinity draws over 35,000 fans and is the second largest attended high school sporting event in the country. The 2002 KY State 4A Football Championship between Male and Trinity, a showdown between future UofL teammates [[Brian Brohm]] (Trinity) and [[Michael Bush]] (Male) that ended with a 59-56 Trinity win, is listed as one of the top 50 sporting events of all time by many critics. The "Old Rivalry" between [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] and [[DuPont Manual Magnet High School|Manual]] high schools is one of the nation's oldest, dating back to 1893, and was played on [[Thanksgiving|Thanksgiving Day]] through 1980, with Manual winning the final T-Day game by a score of 6-0 in overtime.
====Current professional teams====
:''See also: [[Sports in Louisville, Kentucky#Historical teams|Historical professional sports teams in Louisville]]''
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Club !! Sport !! Founded !! League !! Venue
|-
| [[Louisville Bulls]]
| [[American football|Football]]
| 1988
| [[Mid Continental Football League]]
| Various
|-
| Louisville Kings
| [[Australian rules football]]
| 1996
| [[United States Australian Football League|USAFL]] (USFOOTY)
| Hays-Kennedy Park
|-
| [[Louisville Fire]]
| [[Arena football]]
| 2001
| [[af2]]
| [[Freedom Hall]]
|-
| [[Louisville Bats]]
| [[Baseball]]
| 2002
| [[International League]]
| [[Louisville Slugger Field]]
|-
| [[Louisville Chill]]
| [[Hockey]]
| 2008
| [[Midwest Hockey League]]
| [[Alpine Ice Arena]]
|}
==Infrastructure==
===Education===
[[Image:Bellarmine University Brown Library.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Bellarmine University]]'s Brown Library]]
{{seealso|List of schools in Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville Free Public Library}}
Louisville is home to several institutions of higher learning, including the [[University of Louisville]], [[Bellarmine University]], [[Spalding University]], [[Sullivan University]] and several other [[Higher education|post-secondary]] schools. [[Indiana University Southeast]] is located across the [[Ohio River]] in [[New Albany, Indiana]].
According to the [[United States Census|U.S. Census]], of Louisville's population over twenty-five, 21.3% (the national average is 24%) hold a [[bachelor's degree]] or higher, and 76.1% (80% nationally) have a [[high school diploma]] or equivalent.
The public school system, [[Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky)|Jefferson County Public Schools]], consists of more than 98,000 students in 89 [[elementary school]]s, 24 [[middle school]]s, 22 [[high school]]s and 22 other learning centers.<ref>{{cite web|title=JCPS at a Glance|url=http://www.jefferson.k12.ky.us/AboutUs/About.html|accessdate=2007-07-22}}</ref> Due to Louisville's large [[Catholic]] population, there are 27 [[Catholic school]]s in the city. The [[Kentucky School for the Blind]] for all of Kentucky's blind and [[Visual impairment|visually impaired]] students is located in Louisville.
===Transportation===
{{mainarticle|Transportation in Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[Image:Louisville 4thStreet trolley.jpg|right|thumb|The Toonerville II Trolleys provide transportation in [[downtown Louisville]].]]
Louisville's main airport is the centrally located [[Louisville International Airport]], whose [[IATA Airport Code]] (SDF) reflects its former name of Standiford Field. The airport is also home to [[United Parcel Service|UPS]]'s [[Worldport (UPS air hub)|Worldport]] global air hub. UPS operates its largest package-handling hub at Louisville International Airport and bases its UPS Airlines division there. Over 3.5 million passengers and over 3 billion pounds (1,400,000 t) of cargo pass through the airport each year. [[Louisville International Airport]] is also the 4th busiest airport in the United States when in cargo passage, and it is the 11th busiest in cargo passage in the world. The historic but smaller [[Bowman Field (airport)|Bowman Field]] is used mainly for [[general aviation]].
The [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is located on the [[Kentucky]] side of the Ohio River, near the downtown area. The locks were constructed to allow shipping past the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. In 2001 over 55 million tons of commodities passed through the locks. A new lock is currently being constructed to replace two of the auxiliary locks, with a projected completion date of 2008.
[[Public transportation]] consists mainly of buses run by the [[Transit Authority of River City]] (TARC). The city buses serve all parts of downtown Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], as well as Kentucky suburbs in [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham County]], [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt County]], and the [[Indiana]] suburbs of [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]]. A [[light rail]] system has been studied and proposed for the city, but no plan was in development as of 2007.<ref>{{cite news |first=Marcus |last=Green |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS01/611290562 |title=Mass transit plan still possible; Officials will look for financing options |publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]'' |date=2006-11-29 |accessdate=2007-01-23}}</ref>
[[Image:Kennedy Interchange Photo Diagram.JPG|thumb|left|Overhead view of the [[Kennedy Interchange]] ("Spaghetti Junction").]]
Louisville has inner and outer interstate beltways, [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]] and [[Interstate 265|I-265]] respectively. [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]]s [[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] pass through Louisville, and [[Interstate 71|I-71]] has its southern terminus in Louisville. Since all three of these highways intersect at virtually the same location on the east side of downtown, this spot has become known as "[[Kennedy Interchange|Spaghetti Junction]]". Two bridges carry I-64 and I-65 over the Ohio River, and a [[Clark Memorial Bridge|third automobile bridge]] carries non-interstate traffic. [[Ohio River Bridges Project|Plans for two more bridges]] to connect Louisville to Indiana, along with a reconfiguration of Spaghetti Junction, have been under consideration for years and some exploratory construction began in 2007. One bridge would be located downtown for relief of I-65 traffic. The other would connect the Indiana and Kentucky I-265's (via KY-841).<ref>{{cite news|author=Green, Marcus|title=Bridge project tunnels' cost rises; Exploratory shaft will plot path for two others|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070716/ZONE04/707160405/1008/NEWS01|publisher=''[[The Courier-Journal]]'' |date=2007-07-16 |accessdate=2007-07-16}}</ref> As with any major project, there are detractors and possible alternatives; one grassroots organization, [[8664.org]], has proposed options for downtown revitalization improvements, and a simpler and less expensive roadway design.
[[Image:I264KYEB.jpg|thumb|right|Louisville's [[Watterson Expressway]]]]
Louisville has historically been a major center for [[railway]] traffic. The [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] was once headquartered here, before it was purchased by [[CSX Transportation]]. Today the city is served by two major freight railroads, [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] (with a major [[classification yard]] in the southern part of the metro area) and [[Norfolk Southern]]. Five major main lines connect Louisville to the rest of the region. Two regional railroads, the [[Paducah and Louisville Railway]] and the [[Louisville and Indiana Railroad]], also serve the city. With the discontinuance of the short-lived ''Kentucky Cardinal'' in 2003, [[Amtrak]] [[Train|passenger trains]] no longer serve Louisville; it is thus the fifth-largest city in the country with no passenger rail service.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.trainweb.org/moksrail/documents/pop/msa.htm|title=Metropolitan Areas Served by Amtrak|date=[[2006-11-23]]}}</ref>
===Utilities===
[[Image:Louisville water tower.jpg|thumb|left|120px|Completed in 1860, the [[Louisville Water Tower]] is the oldest water tower in the U.S.]]
[[Electric power|Electricity]] is provided to the Louisville Metro area by LG&E, a subsidiary of [[E.ON]] U.S. and traces its roots back to 1838 as Louisville Gas. Louisville Gas and Electric was formed in 1913 by the merger of Louisville Gas, Louisville Lighting (founded in 1903) and Kentucky Heating. In 1998, LG&E merged with Kentucky Utilities (KU) to form LG&E Energy. In 2000, LG&E Energy was bought by British [[Public utility|utility company]] [[Powergen]]. In 2002,
Powergen was bought by the German company E.ON. Finally, on [[December 1]], [[2005]], LG&E Energy changed its name to E.ON U.S. Today, ''LG&E'' serves over 350,000 electric and over 300,000 natural gas customers, covers an area of 700 square miles (1800 km²), and has a total regulated electric generation capacity of 3,514 [[megawatts]].<ref>Data from [http://www.eon-us.com/ E.ON U.S. (formerly LG&E Energy)]</ref>
The current electric generating stations serving the city include three [[coal]]-fired plants (Trimble County, Mill Creek and Cane Run Stations), one [[natural gas]]/[[fuel oil]] [[Gas turbine|combustion turbine]], one [[hydroelectric]] plant ([[McAlpine Locks and Dam|Ohio Falls Station]]), and two [[natural gas]] facilities (Muldraugh and Magnolia Compressor Stations).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eon-us.com/lge/lge_plant_info.asp|title=LG&E Power Plant Information|accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref>
[[Water]] is provided by the [[Louisville Water Company]], which provides water to more than 800,000 residents in Louisville as well as parts of [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham]] and [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]] counties. Additionally, they provide wholesale water to the outlying counties of [[Shelby County, Kentucky|Shelby]], [[Spencer County, Kentucky|Spencer]] and [[Nelson County, Kentucky|Nelson]].<ref>Data from [http://www.lwcky.com/ Louisville Water]</ref>
The [[Ohio River]] provides for most of the city's source of [[drinking water]]. Water is drawn from the river at two points: the [[raw water]] [[Pumping station|pump station]] at Zorn and River Road, and the B.E. Payne Pump Station northeast of Harrods Creek. Water is also obtained from a riverbank infiltration well at the Payne Plant. There are also two [[water purification|water treatment plants]] serving the Louisville Metro area: The Crescent Hill Treatment Plant and the B.E. Payne Treatment Plant. In June 2008, the Louisville Water Company received the "Best of the Best" award from the American Water Works Association, citing it the best-tasting drinking water in the country.<ref name="AWWA">{{cite news|url=http://www.awwa.org/publications/MainStreamArticle.cfm?itemnumber=36618|title=Louisville wins best water taste test|date=[[June 10]], [[2008]]|publisher=American Water Works Association|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref>
==Sister cities==
[[Image:louisville sistercities.jpg|right|thumb|The distances to each of Louisville's sister cities are represented on this [[Downtown Louisville|downtown]] light post.]]
Louisville has seven [[town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref>Sister cities designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/KY Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)]. Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jiujiang]], [[People's Republic of China|China]]
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[La Plata]], [[Argentina]]
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Mainz]], [[Germany]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier]], [[France]]
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Perm]], [[Russia]]
*{{flagicon|ECU}} [[Quito]], [[Ecuador]]
*{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]], [[Ghana]]
In addition, {{flagicon|UK}} [[Leeds, West Yorkshire|Leeds]], [[United Kingdom]] is considered a "[[Friendship City]]". The two cities have engaged in many cultural exchange programs, particularly in the fields of [[nursing]] and [[law]], and cooperated in several private business developments, including the [[Frazier International History Museum]].<ref>"[http://www.sclou.org/index.php?id=114 Friendship City Status]." ''[http://www.sclou.org/ Sister Cities of Louisville].'' 2006. Retrieved on [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>
On [[April 15]], [[2008]], it was announced that Louisville would be twinned with the town of [[Bushmills]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. The two places share a tradition for the brewing of [[whisky]]. The choice of Louisville came after a search of U.S. cities, followed by an [[online poll]] conducted for the public to decide between three finalists, which also included [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] and [[Portland, Maine]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Louisville tastes victory in twin search |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7347994.stm |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=2008-04-15 |accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref>
==See also==
{{portal|Louisville|Fleur-de-lis-3d.png}}
*[[List of cities and towns along the Ohio River]]
*[[List of Louisvillians]]
*''[[Louisville Magazine]]''
==References==
<!-- This article uses [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]]. Please use this format when making edits to references in the article. Any external links directly added to this section will be summarily and swiftly deleted. -->
{{reflist|2}}
==Further reading==
*{{cite book
| first = Greater Louisville Inc.
| year = 2006
| url = http://www.butlerbooks.com/books/louisvillethenandnow.html
| title = Louisville Then and Now
| publisher = Butler Books
| id = ISBN 1-884532-68-3
}}
*{{cite book
| first = Dennis
| last = Domer
| coauthors = Gregory A. Luhan, and David Mohney
| year = 2004
| title = The Louisville Guide
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = John E., et al. (editor)
| last = Kleber
| year = 2000
| title = The Encyclopedia of Louisville
| publisher = University Press of Kentucky
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite news
| first = Gary
| last = Lee
| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/18/AR2006081800300.html
| title = Louisville Old and New: Either Way, It's a Knockout
| publisher = ''[[The Washington Post]]''
| date = 2006-08-20
| accessdate = 2006-10-01
}}
*{{cite book
| first = Chip
| last = Nold
| coauthors = and Bob Bahr
| year = 1997
| title = Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana
| publisher = Globe Pequot
| id = ISBN 1-57380-043-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = David
| last = Sanders
| coauthors = and Glen Conner
| year = 2000
| title = Fact Sheet: Ohio River Floods
| publisher = Kentucky Climate Center
| url = http://kyclim.wku.edu/factsheets/ohio_river_floods/
}}
*{{cite book
| first = George H.
| last = Yater
| year = 1987
| title = Two Hundred Years at the Fall of the Ohio: A History of Louisville and Jefferson County
| publisher = [[The Filson Historical Society|Filson Club, Incorporated]]
| location = [[Louisville, KY]]
| edition = 2nd edition
| id = ISBN 0-9601072-3-1
}}
==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Louisville, Kentucky}}
*[http://www.louisvilleky.gov/ Official Website of Louisville, Kentucky]
*[http://www.gotolouisville.com/ Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau]
*[http://www.possibilitycity.com/ Possibility City] — Louisville's branding campaign
{{geolinks-US-cityscale|38.254|-85.760}}
*[http://www.lojic.org/ Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium]
**[http://www.lojic.org/apps/ LOJIC interactive maps]
*[http://www.metromapper.org/ Metro Mapper - Interactive Maps for the Louisville Metro Area]
*[http://www.citymayors.com/government/louisville.html City Mayors feature: "Louisville Metro has shown other regions how mergers can change balance of power"]
*{{wikitravel|Louisville}}
*[http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080620/NEWS01/806200445/ '''Louisville designated most livable large city in America''']
*''[http://www.ket.org/cgi-bin/fw_louisvillelife.exe/db/ket/dmps/programs?id=LOUL Louisville Life]'' — weekly broadcast on [[Kentucky Educational Television]]
*''[http://www.wfpl.org/soa.htm State of Affairs]'' — daily radio broadcast on [[WFPL]] that provides a public forum for discussion of the issues, people and events that impact the Louisville community
{{Louisville}}
{{Jefferson County, Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky}}
{{USLargestCities}}
[[Category:Louisville, Kentucky| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:County seats in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Jefferson County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Settlements established in 1778]]
[[ar:لويفيل، كنتاكي]]
[[bg:Луисвил]]
[[ca:Louisville]]
[[cs:Louisville]]
[[da:Louisville]]
[[de:Louisville (Kentucky)]]
[[es:Louisville]]
[[eo:Louisville]]
[[fa:لویی ویل]]
[[fr:Louisville (Kentucky)]]{{Link FA|fr}}
[[gl:Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[ko:루이빌]]
[[io:Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[id:Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[ia:Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[it:Louisville (Kentucky)]]
[[he:לואיוויל]]
[[pam:Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky]]
[[la:Ludovicopolis]]
[[lt:Luizvilis]]
[[nl:Louisville (Kentucky)]]
[[ja:ルイビル]]
[[ka:ლუიზვილი]]
[[no:Louisville]]
[[pl:Louisville (Kentucky)]]
[[pt:Louisville]]
[[ro:Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[ru:Луисвилл]]
[[simple:Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[sk:Louisville (Kentucky)]]
[[sr:Луивил]]
[[sh:Louisville (Kentucky)]]
[[fi:Louisville]]
[[sv:Louisville]]
[[ta:லூயிவில் (கென்டக்கி)]]
[[tr:Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[vo:Louisville (Kentucky)]]
[[zh:路易斯維爾 (肯塔基州)]]