Country | United States |
Population | 2301572 |
Area | 671.67 sq mi (1,740 km2) |
Time Zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
Coordinates | 29.76328, -95.36327 |
Highest elevation | 80 ft (32 m) |
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City Description
Houston, the most populous city in Texas and the Southern United States, is a bustling metropolis with a population of 2,314,157 as of 2023. It is the fourth-most populous city in the United States and the sixth-most populous in North America. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Houston serves as the principal city of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, the fifth-most populous metropolitan area in the United States.
Covering a land area of 640.4 square miles, Houston is the ninth-most expansive city in the country. It is primarily located in Harris County, with small portions extending into Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, bordering communities like Sugar Land and The Woodlands.
Founded on August 30, 1836, by land investors at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou, Houston was named after General Sam Houston, a key figure in Texas’s independence from Mexico. The city was incorporated on June 5, 1837. Initially, Houston served briefly as the capital of the Republic of Texas and grew steadily into a regional trading center throughout the 19th century.
Houston’s rapid growth in the 20th century was fueled by its burgeoning port and railroad industry, the decline of Galveston as Texas’s primary port after the devastating 1900 hurricane, the construction of the Houston Ship Channel, and the Texas oil boom. The city’s economy diversified further in the mid-20th century with the establishment of the Texas Medical Center and NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Today, Houston boasts a broad industrial base, including energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. The city leads in healthcare sectors and oilfield equipment manufacturing, housing the second-most Fortune 500 headquarters of any U.S. municipality, after New York City. The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States for international waterborne tonnage and second in total cargo tonnage handled.
Nicknamed the “Bayou City,” “Space City,” “H-Town,” and “the 713,” Houston is a global city with strengths in culture, medicine, and research. Its population comprises various ethnic and religious backgrounds, making it the most diverse metropolitan area in Texas and one of the most racially and ethnically diverse major cities in the U.S.
Houston is home to numerous cultural institutions and exhibits, including the Houston Museum District and the Houston Theater District, contributing to its reputation as a vibrant cultural hub. The city’s dynamic economy, rich history, and diverse population make it a unique and thriving urban center.
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