12 Facts About Omaha

1. Today, the primary mode of transportation in Omaha is by automobile, with I-80, I-480, I-680, I-29, and US Route 75 providing freeway service across the metropolitan area.

2. The City of Omaha maintains two modern sewage treatment plants.

3. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha maintains numerous private Catholic schools with 21,500 students in 32 elementary schools and nine high schools.

4. Education in Omaha is provided by many private and public institutions.

5. The City of Omaha is currently considering consolidating with Douglas County government.

6. The Old Market in Downtown Omaha is another major attraction and is important to the city's retail economy.

7. The German community in Omaha was largely responsible for founding its once-thriving beer industry, including the Metz, Krug, Falstaff and the Storz breweries.

8. The city of Omaha was established by European Americans from neighboring Council Bluffs who arrived from the Northeast United States a few years earlier.

9. From its first annexation in 1857 to its recent and controversial annexation of Elkhorn, Omaha has continually had an eye towards growth.

10. Culture of North Omaha thrived throughout the 1920s through 1950s, with several creative figures, including Tillie Olsen, Wallace Thurman, Lloyd Hunter, and Anna Mae Winburn emerging from the vibrant Near North Side.

11. Economy of Omaha boomed and busted through its early years.

12. Tourism in Omaha benefits the city's economy greatly, with the annual College World Series and Triple Crown SlumpBuster providing important revenue and the city's Henry Doorly Zoo serving as the top attraction in Nebraska as well as being named the best zoo in the world by Trip Advisor in 2014.