Boston is the capital and largest city in Massachusetts. Boston is also the largest city in all of the New England states, and is widely viewed as the economic epicenter of the whole New England region. The metropolitian area surrounding Boston is known as the Cambridge-Boston-Quincy area. This is the 11th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Boston was foundind in 1630 by English colonists and is rich with history. Many battles and major turning points during the American Revolution took place in and around Boston. Boston today is a major center for manufacturing and is a major shipping port along the Eastern Seabord. Boston boasts the first public school in the U.S., along with the first subway system in America.