Interviews Archive/June 2011
Updated May 31, 2011
Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Where the South Meets the West!
 By Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
HISTORY
In 1836, just a few months after General Sam Houston won Texas’ independence from Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto, two brothers set out to create “a great center of government and commerce” on the banks of Buffalo Bayou. Businessmen J.K. and A.C. Allen named their new settlement Houston after the hero of the recently-formed Republic and began promoting it to the mass of Americans moving west.
The hamlet founded by the Allen brothers would eventually become a metropolis. As the decades rolled by, the development of a port and numerous rail lines made Houston a major center of business and trade. The discovery of oil in the region in the early 1900s transformed the city into a petroleum boomtown nearly overnight. Energy would later be joined by the aerospace and medical industries, forming the backbone of the Houston we know today.
As the nation’s fourth-largest city, Houston at the dawn of the 21st Century is a melting pot of peoples and cultures, a dynamic community of world-class art, entertainment, food and attractions. The city’s geographic location on the Gulf Coast and superb airport system make it a gateway to Latin America and the world beyond.
GENERAL INFORMATION
County: Harris
Texas state sales tax: 6.25%
Harris County tax rate: 2%
Population: Houston city limits – 2.1 million; 2.3 million in metro area
Square Miles: Approximately 634 square miles
Time Zone: Central Standard Time
Elevation: 43 feet above sea level
LOCATION
Houston is conveniently located near the Texas coast and a short drive from other major cities in the region.
Surrounding cities:
Austin: 160
San Antonio: 200
Dallas: 247
Lake Charles: 145
Lafayette: 220
Baton Rouge: 270
New Orleans: 351
TRANSPORTATION
Major Highways: Interstate 10 (east-west), Interstate 45 (north-south), State Highway 59, Loop 610, Beltway 8
Airports:
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located 20 miles north of downtown
William P. Hobby Airport, located 12 miles south of downtown
Rail: Amtrak station, located on the western edge of downtown
Bus: Greyhound terminal, located on the southern edge of downtown
LODGING
More than 200 hotel properties encompassing approximately 65,000 hotel rooms
MEETINGS
Maximum or Ideal Group Size:
George R. Brown Convention Center: 1.8 million square feet of meeting space
Reliant Park: 1.6 million square feet of meeting space
LIFESTYLE
Greenspace: Houston has more than 50,000 acres of green space and ranks first among the nation’s 10 most populous cities in total parkland.
The arts: The city’s cultural events and exhibitions report 9.2 million visitors per year
Museums: Houston has the nation’s fourth-largest museum district with 18 museums within walking distance
Education: The metro area supports 14 major institutions of higher learning
Food: More than 8,000 restaurants offer cuisine representing more than 35 countries and American regions
Contact us to schedule your group visit, meeting, or convention.
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