Annapolis is a cosmopolitan American city with a small-town atmosphere. For more than 350 years it has played an integral part in national affairs. The city has long been the site of the U.S. Naval Academy, and marine activities remain a vital part of community life. Despite being home to high-tech industries and modern businesses, the city has managed to maintain its seventeenth-century charm. Visitors can enjoy the more than three centuries of American architecture on display there.