Named after Sam Houston, general of Texas army that won independence from Mexico, and president of Republic of Texas. The city, largest in Texas and fourth largest in nation, has experienced phenomenal growth since a small riverboat landing was established on Buffalo Bayou by Allen brothers in August 1836. Today metropolis is industrial and financial hub for much of the state, It is one of the nation's largest seaports, and headquarters of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

Houston lies on I-10, a segment of the Ports to Plains Highways connecting the state's heartland to coastal  ports.

Institutions of higher learning include Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Baptist Univ., Rice Univ. (very near downtown, great atmosphere), South Texas College of Law, South Texas Junior College, Texas Southern Univ., Univ. of Houston, Univ. of St. Thomas and Univ. of Texas Health Science Center.

Major annual events include the Texaco Grand Prix of Houston (action takes place right in the heart of downtown, cool) in the fall;and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in late Feb. and early Mar., largest exposition in state with championship cowboys and popular entertainers. Houston International Festival each April celebrates the performing and visual arts with a 10-day outdoor festival (which happens also in the downtown atmosphere) of multicultural music, dance, arts and crafts, and food.

The City of Houston has one of the largest theater districts with 12,000 seats in downtown (second largest after New York City) not counting outside the downtown area. The theaters inside the district are: Alley Theater, Bayou Place (a one of a kind, exciting place), Jesse H. Jones Hall of Performing Arts, Sam Houston Historical Park, Museum of Texas History, Sesquicentennial Park, Tranquility Park (this park it's truly a beauty), Wortham Theater.

Facts

Location:
State of Texas, southwest US, 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico on the upper Gulf Coast.

Population & Size:
1.9 million/city; 6 million/county metropolitan statistical area; 617 area miles.

History:
Founded in August 1836 by brothers Augustus and John Allen. Houston is named after General Sam Houston, who led the Texas army in its victory over General Santa Anna's Mexican forces at the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto. In 1836, Houston was incorporated in the Republic of Texas and served as its capital until 1836.

Arts:
Houston, one of the few US cities with permanent ballet, opera, symphony and theater companies, and is also home to more than 30 museums. With 10,000 theater seats in downtown. Houston ranks second to New York City.

Professional Sports Teams:
Houston Rockets, National Basketball Association; Houston Comets, Women's National Basketball Association; Houston Astros, Major League Baseball; Houston Aeros, International Hockey League. Soon Houston will have a football league by the year 2002 !!!

Weather (mild year-round climate):
66° F average high winter temperature
91° F average high summer temperature
79° F average high spring/autumn temperature