Houston data:

Founded: August 30, 1836

Population: 2,208,180Urban Pop: 3,822,509Metro Pop: 5,628,101Density: 3,828/sq mi

600 square miles in city limits

Largest international port based on tonnage of exports

Historical Industry

The city was founded and grew to be a center for railways and a port city.

The railroad soon was taken over by automobile traffic but the port still remained, and grew.

Tourism and Recreation

The Space Center in Houston is an important part of the cities more recent history. From here NASA controls its space missions.

337 parks are located in Houston. At 19,600 acres, it has the most green space of any large city.

Several concert halls and a symphony hall are key parts of Houston night life.

Sports

These sports teams are a huge part of Houston culture. They bring in millions of visitors and their dollars each year.

Houston Astros (MLB)Houston Texans (NFL)Houston Rockets (NBA)Houston Dynamo (MLS)Houston Aeros (AHL)Houston Wranglers (WTT)Houston Takers (ABA)Houston Energy (IWFL)

Transportation: Air

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

9th busiest in the US. and 17th busiest worldwide.

Transportation: Road

575 miles of Freeway system

Houston Tunnel and Skywalk System

7 miles of tunnels and skywalks connect downtown to avoid the heat and rain Houston is famous for.

The only unconnected section is for the Harris County Jail and related government buildings.

Healthcare

Houston is home of the Texas Medical Center. This is the largest concentration of medical facilities in the world. It contains 13 hospitals and 2 specialty institutions. It also has two medical schools and four nursing schools.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston,_Texas

http://www.texasfreeway.com/houston/historic/road_maps/houston_road_maps.shtml

http://houstorian.wordpress.com/old-houston-maps/

urban forcessite

industrygrowth

1890

1890

1890

1942

1942

1942

2007

2007

2007