At the center of Metropolitan Fresno lies Fresno city, which is an essential hub connecting both the San Joaquin Valley and the larger Central Valley region. The neighboring unincorporated areas and rural municipalities are mostly characterized by extensive agricultural operations.

Fresno owes its name to the abundant ash trees that once lined the San Joaquin River. The city was founded as a railway station for the Central Pacific Railroad in 1872 and then incorporated in 1885.

Trivia