Houston

Houston is the most populous city in the state of Texas and the fourth-largest city in the United States by population. It serves as the cultural and economic hub of the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area, one of the largest urban regions in the country.

Located in Southeast Texas near the Gulf of Mexico, Houston sits on the Gulf Coastal Plain. The city covers about 637 square miles. It has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers, mild winters, and substantial humidity influenced by the nearby Gulf.

Founded in 1836 by Augustus C. Allen and John Kirby Allen and named after Sam Houston, Houston was incorporated in 1837. Its economy centers on energy, healthcare, and aerospace; the Port of Houston is a major trade hub. The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world, and the Johnson Space Center is nearby.

Culturally diverse, Houston hosts a large international population and a range of museums, theaters, and culinary scenes. The city contains the Museum District and the Theater District, and is home to universities such as the University of Houston, Rice University, and Texas Southern University.

Governed by a mayor-council system, Houston relies on an extensive transportation network that includes Interstates 45, 10, and 69, two commercial airports, George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby, and the Port of Houston Authority. METRO provides bus and light-rail services.