Columbus, the capital of Ohio and the state's largest city, is the seat of Franklin County. The focus of an urban complex comprised of Grandview Heights, Upper Arlington, Worthington, Bexley, and Whitehall, Columbus is the center of the metropolitan statistical area that includes Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union counties. Chosen by the Ohio General Assembly as the state capital because of its central location, Columbus developed in the nineteenth century as an important stop on the National Highway and as a link in the nation's canal system. Today, the city is a leader in research, education, technology, and insurance. Inc. magazine describes Columbus as "clean, with good schools, reasonably priced housing, and a college-town atmosphere that helps attract and retain young people."