If Texas is the Lone Star State, Houston is the supernova, the largest city in the state and the fourth-largest city in U.S., trailing only Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. A major port and hub for industry, finance, and commerce, its fortunes still rise and fall on the oil trade, and with the price of oil stratospheric, things are very good right now, sparking an influx of newcomers that's likely keeping Houston moving companies very busy.
But Houston is not just oil anymore: it is home to wide array of industries in manufacturing, aeronautics and more recently technology and finance. Its ability to attract other industries, in fact, has helped cushion it when oil prices have dipped. Companies that call Houston home include most of the major oil firms (and all have operations in the city), Continental Airlines, FMC Technologies, Oceaneering International Services, Minute Maid, Waste Management Inc, Sysco and BMC Software. Healthcare is also big: The Texas Medical Center is the world's largest hospital and medical research facility.
Leisure: Houston can be reached via two international airports that are located close to the city. Popular attractions include Hermann Park and the Space Center Houston Museum. Performance halls include the Wortham Theater Center and the Alley Theatre. The city's convention center houses some of the largest halls in the country. Major professional sports teams include the baseball Astros, basketball Rockets, and football Texans, as well as other smaller professional and collegiate teams. Additional attractions include the Galleria, Old Market Square, and Sam Houston Historical Park.
Some History for You: Houston was founded in 1836 by J.K. and A.C. Allen and was named after Sam Houston. The city quickly grew from a small town to a major center as railroads came in. Between 1912 and 1914, a channel was dug out connecting the city to the Gulf of Mexico and creating a deepwater port for the city. Oil was discovered around this time in Texas which provided a quick economic boost to the area. Additionally, deposits of gas, sulfur and limestone, helped the economy prosper. The city also began to produce ships at a fast rate during World War II. Furthermore, the Johnson Space Center was built in 1961, which developed an aerospace industry in Houston. Kathryn Whitmire became the first woman mayor in 1981 and Lee Brown the first black mayor in 1997.
Yes, It's Hot: During the summer, the temperature often rises over 90 degrees, with an average of 99 days per year above 90. The humidity makes things even more miserable: it results in a heat index higher than the temperature. Summer mornings average over 90 percent relative humidity and about 60 percent in the afternoon.