Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States, and in many ways, it still retains its old world charm. Its universities, cultural institutions, scenic attractions, historical sites, and unique character attract students and visitors from around the globe. Over a half a million people live here; they represent almost every major national and ethnic heritage.

Here are some interesting facts about our home:

• Settled 1630 by John Winthrop
• Largest city in Massachusetts and New England
• The capital of Massachusetts
• Tallest building is the sixty-one story John Hancock Tower (1976), which stands at 788 feet, or 240 meters.
• The Boston public school system is the oldest in the United States
• USS Constitution, built at Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, was launched in 1797. Now the oldest ship in the United States Navy, she is restored and berthed at Charlestown Navy Yard, one of the first naval shipyards in the nation
• The Boston Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1881 and ranks as one of the most esteemed orchestras of the world.
• Boston features an active community of performing artists, including one of the country's premier ballet companies, the Boston Ballet.
• The Museum of Fine Arts, the Gardner Museum, the New England Aquarium, the Boston Science Museum, and the Children's Museum are among the more than three dozen museums located within the Boston area.
• Average temperature January through June is 45 and July through December is 58

Boston's compact size makes it the perfect "walking city," but it also features the nation's oldest subway system , which connects the city with its neighborhoods and inner suburbs. The city has one major airport and it offers a convenient rail link to both New York and Washington, D.C. through Amtrak .  

For the latest news and happenings in the Boston area, you'll want to visit Boston.com. This resource is an extension of one of Boston's finest newspapers, The Boston Globe. You'll find comprehensive information on entertainment, dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Additional sections include up-to-date news and weather, health and travel news, and a Yellow Pages directory.

Please Note: External links are listed for your convenience. Partners HealthCare System, Inc. is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or content of these outside sites, nor does it endorse them.