Equal parts sweet country living and bright neon lights, Stamford's cityscape varies greatly from towering office buildings and high-rise condominiums to peaceful wooded areas in the north and the shoreline beauty of the Long Island Sound. It’s one of the largest cities in the state and serves as a vital and vibrant business center and is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies. Stamford has long been considered one of the country’s most desirable cities because of its ability to offer an attractive suburban lifestyle amid a dynamic economy. The area is rich in recreational amenities, with hundreds of acres of scenic parkland, beaches, golf courses, tennis courts and marinas.