Wichita (Kansas)
Sedgwick County
20-79000
Wichita is with 382 368 inhabitants ( 2010), the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.
Wichita is named after the original here ansässigem Indian people, the Wichita. The city dates back to an Indian settlement that was located in 1863 at this point. 1870 Wichita was arrived at a railway station to the livestock export from Texas. The discovery of oil in 1914 ushered in the rise of Wichita to a prosperous city.
The Wichita State University, which boasts the first Pizza Hut - hut stands, was founded in 1895. Wichita is the seat of the Diocese of Wichita.
Geography
Wichita is located in Sedgwick County in southern Kansas. The city center lies southeast of the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas River. A purpose-built in the 1950s around 30 km long discharge channel extends to the west of Wichita. It protects the city from floods both rivers and smaller feeder.
Economy
In the major industrial city of several companies in the aircraft industry are located: A branch factory of Boeing ( until 1934: Stearman Aircraft Corporation ), the Headquarters of Cessna, Learjet, and Hawker Beechcraft (until 1994: Raytheon ), Spirit and other mechanical engineering companies. The meat industry in Wichita also plays an important role.
In January 2012 it was announced that Boeing until the end of the year 2013 will close the plant in Wichita. Reason, cuts in U.S. defense budget and, consequently, fewer orders. From the closure of the main employer of the town in 2160 employees would be affected, which would be released from the 3rd quarter of 2012.
The Wichita Mid -Continent Airport is located in the southwest of Wichita and is the largest airport in Kansas.
Policy
Wichita is divided into six electoral districts, each of which elects a representative for four years in the city council. Together with the Mayor also elected by the entire city for four years, they form the seven-member City Council. Until 1989, the mayor's office representative was kind and was one year each practiced by the members of the City Council alternately. The maximum term of office of the City Council members is limited to eight years ( two terms ). Current mayor is Democrat Carl Brewer.
In Wichita is also located the county seat of Sedgwick County.
See also: List of mayors of Wichita ( Kansas)
Sons and daughters of the town
- Kirstie Alley, Actress
- Robert Ballard, author and deep-sea scientists
- Robert Gates, politician and former Secretary of Defense
- Stan Kenton, jazz musician and band leader
- Jeffrey L. Kimball, cameraman
- Hattie McDaniel, Actress
- William McGonagle, Captain of the Navy, was awarded the Medal of Honor
- Kirke Mechem, composer
- Tom Otterness, a sculptor
- Mark Parkinson, politicians
- Jim Ryun, politician and former athlete
- Barry Sanders, American football player
- Gale Sayers, American football player
- Kendall Schmidt, actor and singer
- Vernon L. Smith, regarded as the most important representative of the experimental capital market research
- W. Eugene Smith, Photographer
- Mark Shelton, heavy metal musicians
- Arlen Specter, Senator for Pennsylvania
- George Tiller, medical
- Joe Walsh ( The Eagles ), rock musician and guitarist
- Robert Whittaker, botanist, climatologist and University Professor
- Lindsey Wixson, Model
- Colton Haynes, Model, Actor