Long known as the center of the US (and the world's) automotive industry, Detroit lies on the US-Canada border, with Windsor, Ontario across the Detroit River to the southeast.

After the fiscal challenges of both the automotive industry decline and the recent recession, Detroit's new focus on reestablishing the historic downtown area is bearing fruit, with new industries taking advantage of the city's excellent business incentives. Young professionals are flocking to Detroit's highrise residential buildings, and retail in the city is expanding.

Detroit's other claim to fame is its musical legacy. "Motown" has been an inspiration to blues, soul, and funk since the 1940s--a history that has given the world artists such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, the Jackson 5, and Marvin Gaye.