Davenport IA (Iowa, Quad Cities)

Davenport IA is a Mississippi River cruise port and city in the USA's Iowa State (Quad Cities Metro Area / Northwest Illinois and Southeast Iowa). The region consists of 4 counties - Iowa's Davenport and Bettendorf, and Illinois' Moline and Rock Island. Quad Cities' metropolis has population around 400,000 and total area approx 170 mi2 (400 km2).

Davenport has population around 105,000 (metro around 185,000). The city is located halfway between Chicago (175 mi / 280 km to the east via HIghway I-88E) and Des Moines (167 mi / 270 km to the west via Highway I-80W). The city is also on the Iowa-Illinois state border (crossing over the Centennial Bridge) and prone to seasonal flooding. Davenport is popular with its annual music festivals and large sports events, the largest of which are the Mississippi Valley Blues- and Fair festivals, the Bix Fest (Beiderbecke Jazz Festival), River Roots Live, Beaux Arts Fair, Bix 7 (road race). The city is a great destination for biking, having 20+ mi (30+ km) of recreational paths.

The city's economy is heavily based on manufacturing, with Davenport Works (plant of John Deere/machinery manufacturer) being the city's largest and Quad Cities' second-largest employer (after Rock Island Arsenal / on Arsenal Island/Rock Island Illinois). Other well-developed industries are healthcare and tourism.

In 2021, the city repaired the seawall and started works to extend the riverwalk and the esplanade that runs the River Heritage Park's entire waterfront length. The extended promenade now features a decorative walkway, benches, new lighting.

For 2022 were scheduled visits by large boats operated by 3 cruise companies (ACL-American Cruise Lines, AQSC/AQV-American Queen Voyages and Viking), in some days anchoring simultaneously along the seawall.