Cedar Rapids is located in Linn County where it is the county seat. It lies between Iowa City and Waterloo along Interstate 380, on the banks of the Cedar River near Lake Macbride State Park.

Cedar Rapids was first settled as Rapids City in 1841, and was incorporated under the present name in 1849. The rapids in the river inspired both names.

Cedar Rapids, population 130,000, is Iowa's second largest city. The average summer temperature is 72.7 degrees; in winter it is 23.7 degrees. The average annual rainfall is 33.7 inches and the snowfall is 30.2 inches.

Quaker Oats is the largest cereal mill under one roof in the world. Collins Division of Rockwell designs and constructs avionics and telecommunications equipment. Attractions include the Amana Colonies, seven German villages 19 miles southwest of Cedar Rapids; and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, containing the largest collection of Grant Wood originals.