The largest City
in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States, Houston has a
population of over 1,500,000. This Texas city has much to offer
both visitor and resident including more than twenty universities
and colleges such as the distinguished University of Houston, the
University of Texas-Houston Health and Science Center, Texas
Southern University and Rice University.
Houston’s international cuisine,
moderate weather, and superb arts offerings are just a few of the
reasons for the city’s popularity. Outdoor recreation in Houston
all year and find quality entertainment day or night in local theme
parks, major-league sports arenas, and in Houston’s highly
acclaimed museums. Restaurants and entertainment are a short walk
or trolley ride away in the downtown area. The METRO light rail
whisks riders through the world-renowned Texas Medical Center, to
the state-of-the-art Reliant Park sports and event facilities.
Houston was named
for Samuel Houston (1793-1863), the politician and general who was
at the forefront of Texas' fight for independence from Mexico. He
later became President of the Republic of Texas; when Texas became
part of the Union, serving as a Senator and later as Governor of
Texas.
In 1914 the
Houston Ship Channel was created, beginning a whole new life for
Houston. The 50-mile long channel linked Houston to Galveston Bay
and the Gulf of Mexico. This deep-water port became a major shipping
link and an important junction for the U.S. grain market.
The following year
oil was discovered and the boom began. Oil companies flooded the
area and by the end of the decade there were forty companies located
in the city. World War II found Houston a major supplier of many
commodities. In 1958 the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration made its home in Houston assuring the city its place
in space age technologies.
Houstonians are
proud of their city’s diversity. The Houston Livestock Show and
Rodeo, the Art Car Parade, the International Festival, Fiesta
Patrias, the Westheimer Street Festival, the Children's Festival,
and a variety of holiday celebrations bring the City together
throughout the seasons of the year and are a source of great
enjoyment for visitors..
Houston is
renowned as a world center of oil, natural gas, iron and steel,
paper products, electrical and electronic machinery. Above all,
however, Houston is a city of great neighborhoods that welcome the
visitor to a rich cultural environment and an enjoyable and
memorable vacation. |
