Quad Cities: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Quad Cities are four cities which straddle the Mississippi River in the midwestern United States. They are as follows:

• Davenport, Iowa
• Bettendorf, Iowa
• Moline, Illinois
• Rock Island, Illinois

Davenport, Moline, and Rock Island were originally called the Tri-Cities, becoming the Quad Cities with the addition of East Moline, which is an official part of the Quad Cities. As Bettendorf grew its population passed East Moline but the name "Quint Cities" never caught on, though there are a few local businesses that bear the name. Today Bettendorf has for all purposes replaced East Moline as one of the Quad Cities. Adjoining smaller cities such as Silvis, Milan, Coal Valley, and Colona, all in Illinois, are also considered part of the Quad Cities area.