Fireworks over downtown Boston landmark Postcard

AssetID: 92573303 / {Thinkstock} / Fireworks over downtown Boston landmark Boston (pronounced /ˈbɒstən/  ( listen ) ) is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts , and is one of the oldest cities in the United States . The largest city in New England , Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper , covering just 48.43 square miles, had a population of 617,594 according to the 2010 U.S. Census . Boston is also the anchor of a substantially larger metropolitan area called Greater Boston , home to 4.5 million people and the tenth-largest metropolitan area in the country. Greater Boston as a commuting region is home to 7.6 million people, making it the fifth-largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States. In 1630, Puritan colonists from England founded the city on the Shawmut Peninsula . During the late 18th century, Boston was the location of several major events during the American Revolution , including the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party . Several early battles of the American Revolution, such as the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston , occurred within the city and surrounding areas. Through land reclamation and municipal annexation , Boston has expanded beyond the peninsula. After American independence was attained Boston became a major shipping port and manufacturing centre, and its rich history now helps attract many tourists, with Faneuil Hall alone attracting over 20 million every year. The city was the site of several firsts, including America's first public school, Boston Latin School (1635), and the first subway system in the United States (1897). With many colleges and universities within the city and surrounding area, Boston is an international centre of higher education and a centre for medicine. The city's economic base includes research, manufacturing, finance, and biotechnology . As a result, the city is a leading finance centre, ranking 12th in the Z/Yen top 20 Global Financial Centres. The city was also ranked number one for innovation, both globally and in North America, for a variety of reasons. Boston has one of the highest costs of living in the United States, though it remains high on world livability rankings , ranking third in the US and 36th globally. This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.