With 400 years of history, an excellent location and a thriving business community, Richmond has opened a new chapter as economic powerhouse, prime tourist destination and a great place to live.

The region’s written history began in 1607 when British captains Christopher Newman and John Smith attempted to settle near the James River, which runs through the modern-day city. The area flourished during the 18th century as it developed economically and politically, making its first splashes onto the world stage. In 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech at Richmond’s St. John’s Church. The state capital was moved from Williamsburg to Richmond in 1780, one year before the city was burned by British troops under the command of Benedict Arnold.

Richmond’s population swelled during the Civil War when the city was named the capital of the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, resided in the Confederate “White House” in Richmond, which today houses the Museum of the Confederacy.

In the years following the Civil War, Richmond focused on rebuilding its economy and establishing itself as a city of innovation. It was home to the world’s first cigarette-rolling machine, the first successful electric street car system and the South’s first telephone service. Freed slaves took an active role in the city’s recovering economy, creating a successful African-American business community — the Jackson Ward area with its thriving financial institutions became better known as the “Wall Street of Black America.” Big business arrived in the region during the 1900s, laying the foundation for Richmond’s flourishing modern-day economy.

Since Richmond is the capital of Virginia, government is naturally one of the area’s largest employers. But the region is also home to 10 Fortune 1000 companies, seven of which are Fortune 500. The list includes Dominion Resources, Circuit City, Genworth Financial, MeadWestvaco, CarMax, Performance Food Group, and Owens & Minor. Besides the city’s convenient location and easy access to transportation, corporations are attracted to Richmond’s low cost of living, diverse workforce, real estate incentives and low real estate taxes. Operating costs are 5.2 percent below the national average, and Virginia has the fifth-lowest average state taxes in the country.

Richmond’s economic advantages haven’t gone unnoticed as the city continues to collect accolades for its economic opportunities. Forbes magazine named the Greater Richmond area among the top 20 “Best Places for Businesses and Careers” in 2005. BestJobsUSA.com named the region one of the top five “Best Places to Live and Work.” Money magazine named Richmond the “Best Place to Live in the South” in the medium-sized city category.

A focus on revitalizing downtown historic buildings is bringing residents back to live in the city and attracting retail and entertainment venues. With its repurposed tobacco warehouses, the Shockoe Slip neighborhood is a testament to the city’s successful renovation efforts and a blueprint for the rest of downtown.

LODGING

THE BERKELEY HOTEL

This elegant property is a gem in its Shockoe Slip neighborhood of downtown with views of the city’s renovated tobacco warehouses. The Berkeley has stylishly appointed its 55 guestrooms with traditional cherry furnishings, high-quality linens and calming neutral hues to create an inviting atmosphere for its guests.$$$
THE BERKELEY HOTEL
1200 E. Cary St.
tel 804 780 1300
http://www.berkeleyhotel.com

THE JEFFERSON

Touted as the grandest hotel in Richmond, the Jefferson has specialized in luxury accommodations since opening in 1895. Its stunning architecture, attentive service and plush amenities combine to create a truly unique experience for its guests. Though it can’t be p roven, many believe that the hotel’s signature marble staircase was the model for Scarlett O’Hara’s sweeping staircase in her Atlanta mansion in Gone with the Wind. Visitors flock to this historic landmark for more than just the lavish accommodations and historic significance. The Jefferson afternoon tea is a favorite among guests and residents. The tea service is held Thursday through Sunday with seatings from 3 p.m.- 4:15 p.m.$$$$
THE JEFFERSON
101 W. Franklin St.
tel 804 788 8000
http://www.jeffersonhotel.com

OMNI RICHMOND HOTEL

Located in the heart of downtown, the Omni Richmond Hotel delivers convenience, scenic views, deluxe accommodations and first-class business amenities. The property overlooks the James River and is just steps from the city’s best dining and entertainment, as well as historic sites. Its 361 guestrooms and suites feature feather pillows, sumptuous linens, oversized bathrooms, executive work desks, high-speed wireless Internet and speakerphones. A complimentary shuttle takes guests to downtown locations within five miles of the hotel.$$$$
OMNI RICHMOND HOTEL
100 S. 12th St., tel 804 344 7000
http://www.omnihotels.com

DINING

JULEP’S NEW SOUTHERN CUISINE

Opened in 2003, this charming restaurant quickly rose to the top of Richmond’s culinary ranks thanks to its innovative cuisine, friendly service and beautiful historic setting. Chef Eric Cohen, who is a Richmond native, focuses on simple Southern flavors and fresh ingredients to create Julep’s delightful menu. A perennial favorite is the fried green tomato appetizer with a house-made pimiento cheese. The restaurant is housed in the oldest commercial building in the city, which was built around 1817 as a lumber house before being used as a candle and soap factory, brewery and locksmith. $$$
JULEP’S NEW SOUTHERN CUISINE
1719-21 E. Franklin St.
tel 804 377 3968
http://www.juleps.net

KUBA KUBA

For a taste of authentic Cuban cuisine, make Kuba Kuba a stop on the itinerary. This cozy restaurant serves up a traditional menu with Cuban music floating in the background. Favorite dishes include the paella, Cuban sandwich and roast pork. Don’t forget to end the meal with a cup of Cuban coffee and a slice of delicious tres leches cake. $$-$$$
KUBA KUBA
1601 Park Ave.
tel 804 355 8817
http://www.kubakuba.info

THE TOBACCO COMPANY RESTAURANT

This Richmond landmark serves classic American fare with an emphasis on steaks and seafood dishes. Once a neglected and abandoned tobacco warehouse, the property has been gloriously restored and filled with antique fixtures, evoking the era when tobacco was king in Virginia. $$$
THE TOBACCO COMPANY RESTAURANT
1201 E. Cary St.
tel 804 782 9555
http://www.thetobaccocompany.com

DIVERSIONS

Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the Virginia State capitol (entrance at 10th and Bank streets, tel 804 698 1788, http://www.virginiacapitol.gov) has recently been restored, preserving the history and architecture of the nation’s second-oldest working Capitol. Stroll around the surrounding grounds of Capitol Square, whose 12 acres of historic monuments and buildings are enclosed by an original 1818 cast iron fence, one of the earliest of its kind in the country.

The Museum of the Confederacy (1201 E. Clay St., tel 804 649 1861, http://www.moc.org) features a rich collection of civilian and Civil War artifacts from the Confederacy and hosts several lectures and educational programs throughout the year. Travelers can delve further into the history of the War Between the States at the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar (500 Tredegar St., tel 804 780 1865, http://www.tredegar.org). This comprehensive museum explores all three perspectives of the Civil War — Union, Confederacy and African-American — and how their roles in the conflict shaped the future of the country.

See an original copy of the United States Bill of Rights at the ong>Library of Virginia (800 E. Broad St., tel 804 692 3500, http://www.lva.virginia.gov), along with detailed exhibits of the history of the state. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (200 N. Blvd., tel 804 340 1400, http://www.vmfa.museum) houses an extensive permanent collection of more than 20,000 pieces of art from every major world culture, along with several special exhibits

At Home with L. Douglas Wilder
Mayor of Richmond

Global Traveler: Describe the spirit of Richmond.

L. Douglas Wilder: Richmond is one of the most historic cities in our entire country. This is where Patrick Henry made his famous “Give me liberty” speech. Benedict Arnold burned this city in the Revolutionary War. Thomas Jefferson built the Capitol, which serves as a model for almost all government buildings in the country. John Marshall lived here, and he molded the Supreme Court. Civil rights lawyers led the fight for civil rights right here in our capital city. We have dozens of distinct and beautiful neighborhoods with many striking and differing architectural styles. And we have several universities — Virginia Commonwealth University, with its medical facility and biotech research center, the University of Richmond and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College — that also attract people to the region.

GT: Tell us about economic development in Richmond.

LDW: Our downtown had been neglected and our city had one of the highest crime rates in the country. We have reduced crime 67 percent, and it is now the lowest it’s been in 26 years. People and businesses are moving back into the city. Phillip Morris USA located its research center downtown. MeadWestvaco followed suit with its national headquarters. Hilton Hotel is building here. The newly renovated National Theater and the new federal court building are both downtown. The first Friday of each month we have events on Broad Street — people are walking around and it’s exciting. We have been listed as one of the best cities to live in and one of the best places for business and careers.

GT: How did the city accomplish the decrease in crime?

LDW: We brought in the best police chief in America. He initiated sector policing — police are assigned to various sections of the city. The same officers are on patrol in the same areas all the time, not just when there is a crime, so people get to know them and the officers get to know the people, sometimes on a first-name basis. We have 40 new vehicles that officers take home with them so there is a police presence. We now have a crime clearance rate — the percentage of crimes committed that are solved — in the high 80s. The national average is 62 percent.

GT: What are some advantages for those doing business in the city?

LDW: We offer low real estate taxes, which we’ve reduced several times in the last several years, and economic development incentive packages we put together with the state. Being on I-95 and close to Washington, D.C. and the Hampton Roads area for shipping, we have an excellent transportation network for the transfer of goods. We realize that if we have a competitive business community, people will want to live and work here — and in a recent city survey, 81 percent said they approved of the direction the city is taking.

INFO TO GO

Richmond is easily accessed by plane, car or train. The newly renovated Richmond International Airport (RIC) is seven miles from the Central Business District. Travelers can catch a taxi curbside on the lower level of the terminal. Shared shuttle and limousine service is available from the airport to points throughout the city. Bus service is available at the airport through the Greater Richmond Transit Company. Richmond is also easy to reach by car via Interstate 95 and Interstate 64, and the city has two Amtrak stations. For more information, visit http://www.visit.richmond.com .