Columbus is the capital of the U.S. state of Ohio. Founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, it assumed the functions of state capital in 1816.

According to the 2000 census, Columbus has a population of 711,470 residents, making it the largest city in Ohio and the 15th largest in the United States. The population increased to an estimated 730,008 in 2004. The greater Columbus metropolitan area has a population of 1,708,625 as of 2005 , ranking it third in Ohio (behind Cleveland and Cincinnati) and 31st in the United States. With regard to the Combined Statistical Area (which includes Chillicothe and Marion), Columbus ranks 24th in the country with approximately 1.84 million residents.

Located near the geographic center of the state, Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County, though parts of the city also extend into Delaware and Fairfield counties.