Driving Downtown Streets - Fannin Street - Houston Texas USA\r
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Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the fourth-most populous city in the United States, located in Southeast Texas near the Gulf of Mexico. With a census-estimated new population of 2.239 million[5] within a land area of 599.6 square miles (1,553 km2),[6] it also is the largest city in the Southern United States,[7] as well as the seat of Harris County. It is the principal city of Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land, which is the fifth-most populated metropolitan area in the United States.\r
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Houston was founded on August 28, 1836 near the banks of Buffalo Bayou (now known as Allens Landing)[8][9] and incorporated as a city on June 5, 1837. The city was named after former General Sam Houston, who was president of the Republic of Texas and had commanded and won at the Battle of San Jacinto 25 miles (40 km) east of where the city was established. The burgeoning port and railroad industry, combined with oil discovery in 1901, has induced continual surges in the citys population. In the mid-20th century, Houston became the home of the Texas Medical Center—the worlds largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions—and NASAs Johnson Space Center, where the Mission Control Center is located.[10]\r
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Houstons economy has a broad industrial base in energy, manufuring, aeronautics, and transportation. It is also leading in health care sectors and building oilfield equipment; only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters within its city limits.[11][12] The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled.[13] Nicknamed the Space City, Houston is a global city, with strengths in business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, sports, technology, education, medicine, and research. The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. Houston is the most diverse city in Texas and has been described as the most diverse in the United States.[14] It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits, which attr more than 7 million visitors a year to the Museum District. Houston has an ive visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District and offers year-round resident companies in all major performing arts.
