Council Bluffs is a city in southwestern Iowa, United States, located along the eastern bank of the Missouri River directly across from Omaha, Nebraska. As part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the city occupies an important position along the Missouri River and at the intersection of major transportation routes connecting the Great Plains with the central United States. Its landscape combines established urban neighborhoods with riverfront areas, rolling hills, parks and open spaces characteristic of western Iowa.

The Missouri River forms the western boundary of Council Bluffs and has played an important role in the city's development. The riverfront provides views across the water toward Omaha and includes parks, trails, wetlands and recreational areas. The nearby Loess Hills create distinctive rolling terrain across parts of the region, with some of the most prominent examples of wind-deposited hills found along western Iowa. These natural features give Council Bluffs and its surroundings a more varied landscape than the broad, relatively flat plains found farther west.

Council Bluffs has a long history connected with westward migration and transportation across the American frontier. The area was associated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and later became an important starting point for travelers heading west along major overland routes. The arrival of the railroad in the nineteenth century further established Council Bluffs as a significant transportation center, and its connection with Omaha helped strengthen the economic relationship between the two cities. Historic sites and landmarks throughout the area reflect this role in the development of the American West.

The city contains a variety of parks and outdoor spaces, including areas along the Missouri River and within the surrounding hills. Recreation includes walking and cycling trails, boating, fishing, golf and access to regional nature areas. The nearby Hitchcock Nature Center provides trails and overlooks within the Loess Hills, offering views across the Missouri River valley and surrounding countryside. These landscapes provide a contrast to the more developed commercial and residential parts of the metropolitan area.

Council Bluffs remains an important regional center for transportation, commerce and industry. Major highways, rail lines and bridges connect the city with Omaha and communities throughout Iowa and Nebraska, continuing the transportation role that has shaped its development for more than a century. Its position beside the Missouri River and opposite Omaha gives Council Bluffs a distinctive place within the broader Great Plains region, combining a significant historical legacy with modern metropolitan growth.