Where does The Simpsons take place?

Springfiеld, thе primary sеtting of Thе Simpsons, was dеsignеd to bе a typical American city, еmbodying thе concеpt of Anytown, USA. Thе show's crеator, Matt Groеning, drеw inspiration from several rеal-lifе locations, including his homеtown of Portland, Orеgon, and Springfiеld, Massachusеtts, whеrе one of the show's writers, Mikе Scully, grеw up.

Interestingly, Groening had initially believed that Springfield, Oregon, was the fictitious Springfield from the 1950s sitcom Father Knows Best. He chose the name Springfield to make the show relatable, hoping that viewers from different places would feel a connection to the city. While some have speculated that the show's Springfield is located in Oregon, Groening intended it to remain intentionally vague, symbolizing Anytown, USA.

Where is Springfield in The Simpsons?

In the world of The Simpsons, the true location of Springfield remains a humorous mystery. The show contains many contradictory clues about its whereabouts. In The Simpsons Movie, Ned Flanders mentions that Springfield's state is bordered by Ohio, Nevada, Maine, and Kentucky. However, in reality, only Ohio and Kentucky share borders.

The show's writers playfully exploit this ambiguity throughout the series. Springfield's state is intentionally unidentifiable, with contradictory descriptions, obscured map representations, and humorous references in various episodes.

To add to the confusion, some fans have speculated that Springfield is located in a fictional state known as North Takoma, supported by the state abbreviations NT and TA used within the show. Additionally, the show's telephone area codes are given as 636 and 939 in different episodes, further obscuring its location.

What is the History of Springfield?

The history of Springfield, as revealed in various episodes, has a mix of humor and absurdity. The city was founded by a group led by Jebediah Springfield (actually a cover identity for a notorious pirate, Hans Sprungfeld), who left Maryland after a misinterpretation of a Bible passage led them to seek New Sodom. This led to the founding of both Springfield and its rival city, Shelbyville.

Springfield reached its peak during the mid-20th century when it housed the world's first Aqua car factory, with streets literally paved with gold. However, its prosperity was short-lived, and it eventually earned unflattering titles like America's Worst City and America's Crud Bucket.

The Geography of Springfield

Springfield's geography is comically diverse, encompassing everything from forests and meadows to deserts and badlands. Notable landmarks include the Springfield Gorge, Mt. Springfield, and the Springfield Badlands. The town's climate is usually depicted as sunny, but the show frequently subjects it to various natural disasters like blizzards, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

One running gag in the series is Springfield's polluted environment. The town's nuclear power plant is a significant source of pollution, leading to mutated fish and contaminated rivers. The atmosphere is so polluted that, in one episode, it reduces a comet to a tiny rock.

The Many Businesses of Springfield

Springfield features a wide array of fictional businesses, each with its unique quirks. The Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, owned by Mr. Burns, supplies the city's energy but is notorious for its carelessness. The Kwik-E-Mart, run by Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, is a quirky convenience store featured in the show. Additionally, The Android's Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop is Comic Book Guy's domain, known for its rare and obscure collectibles. Other notable businesses include Barney's Bowl-A-Rama, the Leftorium, and various comical stores within the Springfield Mall.

Education in Springfield

Springfield Elementary School is a local school attended by Bart and Lisa Simpson. The show humorously portrays it as an underfunded institution plagued by ineptitude at all levels. Edna Krabappel and later Ned Flanders serve as teachers, and the school is often the site of town meetings that result in chaotic outcomes.

Springfield also features higher education institutions, like Springfield University and Springfield A&M University, which have their unique rivalries and mascots. Springfield Heights Institute of Technology focuses on engineering sciences and is home to characters like Professor Frink.

Residential Life in Springfield

Residential areas in Springfield include Spinster City Apartments, where Patty and Selma Bouvier reside with Selma's daughter, Ling. The Springfield Retirement Castle caters to the elderly, including Grampa Simpson and Jasper Beardley, and often portrays a bleak outlook on life in old age.

Government and Landmarks

Springfield City Hall serves as the workplace for Mayor Quimby and the City Government. It's the setting for various town meetings that lead to amusing decisions. The building's design was inspired by the Chelmsford, Massachusetts public library.

Five Corners, a fictional location where five states theoretically meet, is a humorous parody of the real Four Corners. This spot is featured in episodes where the characters stand in five different states simultaneously.

The Real-Life Contest to Find Springfield

In a marketing stunt for The Simpsons Movie, real towns and cities across the United States competed to host the film's premiere. The town of Springfield, Vermont, emerged as the winner, symbolically becoming the official hometown of The Simpsons. However, it's important to note that this was a promotional campaign and not an official designation of the show's location.

A 2016 study of Facebook likes for The Simpsons found that the show was most popular in Springfields located in Virginia, Minnesota, and New Jersey. It was least popular in Springfields in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Georgia.