The largest city in a metropolitian area of 1.8 million people, Kansas City actually began as a trading post in 1821, which is why it is no surprise the city is home to some of the nation's largest companies including Hallmark and Sprint. Kansas City, Mo., is the nation's 36th largest city in population (441,500) and the 13th largest in land area (317 square miles). It's convenient location near the geographic and populations centers of the nation, it truly is the "Heart of America." Kansas City offers more fountains than any other city except Rome and more boulevards than any except Paris. Its 1,769-acre Swope Park is one of the largest urban parks in America. However, Kansas City is perhaps best known for its steaks, barbecue and jazz. With more than 60 barbecue restaurants and numerous cookoff competitions, it is arguably the nation's barbecue capital. Kansas City became a hotbed of jazz shortly after World War I in the now-famous area around 18th & Vine. Jazz is undergoing a renaissance here, a factor in the new Kansas City Jazz Museum, a complex that also includes a new Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. With more to offer than could possible fit on this page, Kansas City has long featured prime real estate and homes for sale.