The city of Tulsa is the second-largest city in Oklahoma State and 46th-biggest city within the nation. With a population of 391,906 according to the 2010 census, it is the main metropolis of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, an area with 937,478 (2010) inhabitants in the MSA and 988,454 (2010) within the CSA. The CSA of Tulsa is projected to reach one million between the years 2010 to 2012. The city serves as the county seat of Tulsa County, the most densely populated county within the state of Oklahoma, and extends into Rogers, Wagoner and Osage counties.
Tulsa was initially inhabited between the years of 1828 and 1836 following the attack by the Lochapoka Band of Creek Native American tribe. During the year 1921, it was the location of the well-known Tulsa Race Riot, amongst the biggest and most destructive acts of racial cruelty in the history of the United States. For most of the 20th century, the city was called the "Oil Capital of the World" and played a major part as among the most important centers for the oil industry within the US. Tulsa, together with several other cities, claims to be the origin of U.S. Route 66 and is also famous for its Western Swing music.
The Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa features a great collection of American art from the colonial times to the present. There is an emphasis on art from the west. The collection housed here was once owned by Thomas Gilcrease, a Tulsa oil magnate, but was later purchased by Tulsa during the year 1955. Included in the art is around 10,000 drawings, paintings, sculptures and prints by 400 artists. Of the 22 bronzes of Frederic Remington, 18 can be seen here. Other museums and cultural attractions within the city of Tulsa comprise the Philbrook Museum of Art, the Tulsa Air and Space Center and the Fenster Museum of Jewish Art. The city is home to the Tulsa Zoo and the Oklahoma Aquarium. Mayfest is a 4-day outdoor music and arts festival that draws 250,000 individuals every year.
Tulsa's economy has traditionally been dominated by the oil industry, although much effort has been made over the last few decades to change the economic base by building up the sectors of aerospace, finance, telecommunications, technology, high tech, and manufacturing. The Tulsa International Airport (TUL) and the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, the nation's most inland seaport, connect the area with global trade and transportation. An American Airlines maintenance base at Tulsa International Airport is the biggest employer of Tulsa and the largest maintenance facility within the world, serving as the airline's international maintenance and engineering head office, whilst the Tulsa International Airport and the Tulsa Port Catoosa house extensive industrial parks.
Within Tulsa, there are company headquarters for several large financial firms like for example the BOK Financial Corporation. Other companies call Tulsa home, including the semi-national convenience store chain QuikTrip, the international car rental company of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Hilti, and Mazzio's semi-national pizza chain. Lots of worldwide businesses related to oil and gas have head office in the city, like for instance Williams Companies, SemGroup, Syntroleum, ONEOK, Samson and Excel Energy. Meanwhile, there are 30 companies in Tulsa which employ more than 1,000 individuals, though small businesses make up over 80% of the city's companies.