Indianapolis is the capital of the state of Indiana, in the United States of America.

Located in the geographical center of the state, it is also the seat of Marion County, with which it consolidated in 1970.

Historically a leading center of manufacturing and commerce in the MidWest, Indianapolis also is an important transportation hub. Known as the Crossroads of America, four interstate freeways and four federal highways meet in Indianapolis, putting the city within a day’s drive of one-half the nation’s population.

The development of Indianapolis began in 1820 when a committee from the state’s legislature chose the site for a new state capital because of its central location. The legislature named the city Indianapolis, which literally means the City of Indiana (from the Greek polis, meaning "city").

With boundaries coextensive with Marion County, Indianapolis has a land area of 1,026.7 sq km (396.4 sq mi).

Included within that area are the enclaves of Lawrence, Beech Grove, Speedway, and Southport. These small communities retained local autonomy when Marion County and Indianapolis merged.

But because the Indianapolis mayor’s power extends to the entire county in many matters, residents of the four communities can vote for the mayor of Indianapolis and some of its council members.

Indianapolis is at the core of a metropolitan region covering nine counties: Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Morgan, and Shelby.

Encompassing 9,125.3 sq km (3,523.3 sq mi), the region contains a number of smaller established cities, including Anderson, Carmel, and Greenwood.

With few natural barriers to restrict its growth, Indianapolis has spread outward rather than upward, and the city has a relatively low population density.