Around every Richmond corner are snapshots of yesterday. Elaborate mansions andmagnificent monuments stand near turn-of-the-century mercantile districts thatline cobblestone, gaslit streets.

Richmond, capital of Virginia since 1779, offers a wealth of opportunities inculture, business and recreation. The city’s population is roughly 203,000.Including the three surrounding counties, the population of the metropolitanarea is approximately 820,000. The city is home to several major financial institutions, as well as many Fortune 500 corporations.

On the north bank of the James River is Maymont Park with hiking trails, wild animal habitats, arboretum, formal gardens and a splendid Victorian mansion - all with free admission. Also overlooking the James from the north are Hollywood

Cemetery, where two U.S. presidents and many civil war heroes are buried, and the Canal Walk, a riverfront park with access to the concerts and special events on Brown’s Island. Within a mile west of the Academic Campus are two major museums. The Science Museum offers hands-on exhibitions, planetarium, shows and Omnimax films. The collections of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts include a gallery of Faberge’ objects from Imperial Russia and a wing full of post-modern works. Richmond also offers a variety of sporting events. The city boasts the Richmond Braves baseball club, the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and the Richmond Renegades of the East Coast Hockey League. Motor sports fans also enjoy two Winston Cup NASCAR races a year and the NHRA Drag Racing Virginia Nationals. Other sports events include the Nike Dominion Open golf tournament, the CAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments and, in 2000, Virginia Commonwealth will host the NCAA women’s volleyball national championship.