Missouri's capital, Jefferson City, serves as the state's political hub, while its major cities form the backbone of its economic and cultural landscape. Kansas City, straddling the Missouri-Kansas border, is known for its barbecue, jazz heritage, and burgeoning tech scene. St. Louis, with its iconic Gateway Arch, is a center for healthcare, biotechnology, and manufacturing. Springfield, the third-largest city, is often called the "Queen City of the Ozarks" and is a hub for education and healthcare in southwest Missouri.