Houston, Texas offers its residents an exceptional quality of life, uncommon for such a massive metropolitan area. The Census 2000 recorded Houston’s population at more than 1.9 million people. Citizens here enjoy an affordable cost of living and a wealth of academic and career opportunities.  The area’s humid subtropical climate features balmy summers and moderate winters, suitable for taking in all the sites unique to Houston.

Houston, TX lies at the center of the massive Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metro area, which covers ten counties and holds a total population of 5.3 million residents.  This dynamic metro area is the nation’s seventh largest and is the largest economic and cultural region on the Texas Gulf Coast.  Claiming more than 600 square miles, Houston is the largest city in Texas.  The Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network ranked Houston as one of eleven U.S. global cities.

As a regional hub of commerce and the seat of Harris County, Houston supports a massive business community that is a valuable resource for the region.  Renowned for its waterways, Houston, TX is home to an important deep-water port found in the Houston Ship Channel, which is the world’s sixth largest port. Aeronautics, biomedical research and oil play a leading role in the prosperous economy and Houston is second only to New York City in its number of Fortune 500 company headquarters.  These Houston based companies include ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, Marathon Oil and Reliant Energy.  Houston also lies in the heart of the prestigious Texas Medical Center, which encompasses the largest concentration of healthcare and research facilities worldwide.

Houston’s booming job market and variety of academic institutions attract an international citizenry to the area.  This diverse population contributes to a wide range of cultural facilities and experiences.  Houston caters to 45 different religions and a wealth of public and private schools that serve students who speak many different languages. Local higher learning facilities also provide a myriad of opportunities that benefit Houston’s international residents.  Choices include Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, Texas Southern University, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and several campuses affiliated with the University of Houston.

Houston abounds with potential activities for entertainment and recreation.  Also known as “Space City”, Houston is the site of NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, where Mission Control operates, and is home to the largest IMAX Theater in Texas.  The Reliant Center hosts the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo each spring, while the downtown Theater District provides a vibrant scene for visual and performing arts year round.  Houston, Texas is home to several professional sports teams such as the Astros and the Texans. Additional popular destinations in Houston include the Galleria, Galveston Island, Hermann Park, Sam Houston Historical Park and the Port of Houston, where the public may take free 90-minute cruises.  Houston, TX is also a short drive from the beautiful beaches found on the Gulf of Mexico.

Houston, Texas projects a cosmopolitan atmosphere, with numerous smaller, close-knit communities spread throughout the area.  Houstonians lived up to their friendly reputation when, in 2005, the city warmly accepted thousands of Louisiana’s Hurricane Katrina victims into their homes and communities.  This lovely city captures the spirit of the melting pot.

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