Houston

Houston covers approximately 596 square miles and is ranked the fourth largest city in America. The city is located in southeast Texas and is the provincial seat of Harris County. The southwest part of the city spreads into Fort Bend County and small area in the north spreads into Montgomery County. The city’s population is about three million. The city is globally identified as far its cultural diversity is concerned. The ethnicity of the city comprises of Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American and Asian populations. Houston came in existence in 1836, when brothers Augustus and John Allen established a trading post on the river Buffalo Bayou that travels through the center of the city. The Allens called their new asset Houston to honor General Sam Houston, who bested the Mexican Army at San Jacinto. The economy gradually started improving with the introduction of railroad in the 1860s and 1870s, but the real success was still awaited. In 1901, the wait came to an end with the detection of oil at nearby Spindletop.

The discovery put the city on the road of success. But the prosperity was hindered by the scorching summer heat. The civilians prevailed over this problem also with the extensive availability of air conditioners in 1930s. The upgradation of downtown finally materialized. In the decade of 1950s, the construction of skyscrapers became a boom. Dozens of older commercial and residential buildings were bulldozed and changed into parking lots owing to the growing army of office workers. In 1963, NASA's Mission Control Center was inaugurated a few miles from Houston, which brought lot of recognition for the city. Six years later the city's name was the first word spoken by astronauts on the surface of the moon. All the way through 1970s the good fortunes favored the city. The trade oil made the Texans rich overnight. After a quartet of years the drop in prices to single digits made the civilians poorer even faster. Extravagant economy and expensive stood like giants hampering the city’s progress. But in 1990s somehow the economy diversified. In 1998 the city of Houston was drenched by a heavy downpour and was excessively threatened by cyclones. The houses were uprooted by the floodwaters. In recent years the city’s economy has diversified due to improved medical services and high-tech industries. This diversity is also visible in the local restaurant industry. The city has over 9,000 restaurants offering every cuisine that you can think of. The city’s combined metropolitan area covers over 7,500 square miles.

Houston's bright sunny climate and plentiful entertaining resources sustain the variety of life-styles. The place is a real-fun all the year-round. The city has all a coastal area to pine forests. Sun-lit dome of the world famous Galleria offers golf to ice skating. Theater productions to world class performing arts all the features of the city. Houston is one of only four cities in the country that offers permanent companies in four performance oriented fine arts viz. opera, theater, symphony and dance. Public and private funds have changed historical sites into fashionable urban attics and solitary streets into busy ones. More than 200 restaurants and clubs are a hub of the nightlife. Houston has become one of the most intercontinental, contemporary, and multi-ethnic cities in the United States of America. Houston is an abode of two airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) that serves major domestic and international airlines; William P Hobby Airport (HOU) that serves discount carrier Southwest Airlines. Though the city has prospered a lot but has still retained the zeal to follow the customs of Texas like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The civilians very fondly cheer up for their favorite professional and college sports teams. Houston houses major league sports teams in baseball, football and basketball.