History and Description of the Metropolitan Houston Regional Area

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In 1836, Augustus and John Allen established a trading post on the Buffalo Bayou, a river that winds through the heart of Houston. The brothers named the area "Houston" in honor of General Sam Houston, who defeated the Mexican Army at San Jacinto. Today, the San Jacinto battle ground, San Jacinto Monument and Museum of History, and the Battleship Texas are popular tourist attractions just 20 miles east of the city. While the railroad helped boost Houston's economy, it was the discovery of oil in 1901 that sent it through the roof. Nearly as important, given the tropical Houston climate, was the invention of air conditioning that made a massive downtown development possible.

After a downsizing of the oil industry, Houston was quick to diversify. Known as the "Energy Capital of the World," Houston is home to 18 Fortune 500 companies and more than 5,000 energy related firms. For three consecutive years, Houston ranked first in the US in new business growth, according to American Business Information. A few of the area's well-known employers are NASA's Mission Control Center, the Port of Houston and the Houston Independent School District (HISD).

Educational opportunities are plentiful in the Houston area. Serving more than 210,000 students, the Houston Independent School District is the nation's seventh largest and one of Houston's largest employers. Approximately 185 elementary schools, 36 middle schools and 24 high schools serve this dynamic, highly diversified community. There are also more than 40 colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning. The most well known include Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Southern University and Texas A & M.

In addition to popular college sports teams, Houston has professional teams representing every major sport. The Houston Rockets, two-time NBA champions, the Houston Comets, four-time WNBA champions, and the Houston Aeros hockey team compete at Compaq Center. The Houston Astros baseball team plays to a packed house in its new stadium. In 2002, Houston's NFL expansion team, the Houston Texans, will play at new Reliant Stadium. Houston has also been awarded Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.

For mere armchair athletes, Hermann Park is a cultural and recreational Mecca surrounded by the Texas Medical Center, Rice University, the Museum District and various residential neighborhoods, just minutes from downtown Houston. The Houston Zoo is also located at Hermann Park. Located midway between Reliant Stadium and downtown, the Museum District offers a range of museums, art galleries and cultural institutions, such as The Children's Museum of Houston, the Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Arts Museum, Holocaust Museum and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Houston's 17-block Theater District is home to eight performing arts organizations and more than 12,000 seats.