|  Founded
in 1836, Houston is now the fourth largest city in the
nation. Nearly two million people live within its city
limits. Almost four million people populate the seven
counties of its metropolitan area. Long known for its
energy industry, Houston continues to diversify into
the rapidly growing areas of science, technology, space,
and medicine, fields well-suited to complement the city's
petrochemical, finance, retailing, engineering, and
construction industries.
Houston is also a thriving center
for the performing arts. The
Houston Grand Opera is among the nation's largest
opera companies. Classical and contemporary works are
performed by the
Houston Ballet, a company of international stature.
The Houston
Symphony Orchestra, the first arts organization
in the city, performs throughout the year. These events
enliven Houston's downtown area in the Gus S. Wortham
Theater Center and the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing
Arts. Also downtown are the nationally-recognized Alley
Theater, as well as the
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
Art patrons can enjoy exhibits at
The Museum
of Fine Arts, the Contemporary
Arts Museum, and the Menil
Collection. More art, music, and dramatic events
are staged at other museums and theaters, including
the Miller
Outdoor Theater near the Texas
Medical Center. Events are also featured at the
city's colleges and universities, which include the
University
of Houston, Rice
University, and
Texas Southern University among the 25 colleges,
universities, and institutes in Harris County.
Individuals interested in science
and astronomy can visit the
Museum of Natural Science, the Burke Baker Planetarium,
and the IMAX Theater, which are located a few blocks
north of the Medical Center. The
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration is just 30
minutes south of Houston.
Visitors and residents alike enjoy
weekend outings at Hermann Park's 50-acre zoo and the
265-acre Aline McAshan Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
in Memorial Park. Houston offers more than 37,000 acres
of park land within its nearly 500 parks. Houstonians
also look forward to seasonal events such as the Houston
Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Houston
International Festival, a springtime celebration
of the visual and performing arts.
Houston is home to
the Houston Astros baseball team, which plays home
games in downtown's new MinuteMaid
Park, the Houston
Rockets basketball team, which will move into its
new downtown arena in 2003, and the Houston
Texans professional football team, which plays home
games in the new Reliant
Staduim, just south of downtown.. Next to the Astrodome
is AstroWorld,
a 75-acre amusement park. A light rail system, which
will run from downtown Houston, through the Texas Medical
Center, to Reliant Stadium and the Astrodome is currently
under construction.
Suitable for outdoor activities year-round,
Houston is located 50 miles from Gulf of Mexico beaches
to the south. The city is about three hours from the
hill country around Austin to the northwest. Lakes Conroe
and Livingston
to the north feature water sports of all kinds.
Other Houston Attractions
Space
Center Houston
Houston
Museum of Natural Science
Moody
Gardens at Galveston
Galveston
Island
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