Houston has a large petrochemical industry and a seaport open to the Gulf of Mexico. NASA has installed one of its astronaut centers there. The city has the largest concentration of health research laboratories (Texas Medical Center). Houston is a city with the second largest population growth in the United States after Las Vegas. In 1900, its population was about 45,000. According to the latest estimates in 2016, the agglomeration includes more than 6.3 million people in nine counties, making it the fifth largest in the country. A modern metropolis with open roads
The George Bush intercontinental airport, located 20 miles north of the centre, is Houston's largest intercontinental airport with daily international and domestic flights. It takes between 30 and 60 minutes to arrive in town following the traffic. There are mini-vans and shuttles available to get to the center and around $20. The smallest "William P. Hobby"airport, located 7 miles south of the center, offers several domestic flights across the USA. It only takes 15 minutes to get to and from downtown. Minivans and shuttles are available from the airport to the center or around the corner for $15.
Houston is a fairly sophisticated modern city and metropolis with all kinds of activities you want to find.
Houston has well-located and organized roads to get its population from or to the centre. Highway 10 circles the city along a length of 4 miles. Highway 8 and the Sam Houston Parkway in the form of a double-belt run through the city for 8 miles, and Highway 6 forms a belt 15 miles from the centre. The interlocking of several road ramps illuminates the edges of intersections and confuses strangers. Despite this exemplary road system, routine repairs or maintenance often slow down traffic.
The cultural centre is located in the city centre
The city centre has a site of the reconstructed old town and a heritage museum nearby Sam Houston Park. The Houston Cultural Centre with its museums of Arts, Children's, Natural Science, Contemporary Arts and other attractions is located to the south of the city centre. The Bayou Place Entertainment Complex and Enron Field, the new stadium of the Houston Astros baseball team, are nearby.
The old but still impressive "Astrodome" is to the south of the city centre as well. Every year he receives the "Houston livestock show" in February. This very important festival is the world's largest rodeo, a national barbeque and a culinary championship plus more than ten other activities. Just across the intersection I-610 from the dome, this is the park "Six Flags Astroworld amusement park" and the "Six Flags Waterworld".
Houston Astronaut Centre is the most visited centre in Houston
The Houston Astronaut Centre is located 25 miles southeast of downtown Houston along the I-45 highway near Texas City and Galveston. It is the most popular attraction in the Houston area. The Visitor Centre of this NASA building is open every day in summer and every weekend in winter. For $15, you'll be able to explore the exhibits, see an I-max movie, test your ability to travel through space on interactive machines, and visit the mission control room and astronaut training rooms. It is an experience for children and adults.
The Houston Astronaut Centre is located 25 miles southeast of downtown Houston along the I-45 highway near Texas City and Galveston.
Another popular attraction is the George Ranch Historical Park, located 25 miles southwest of Houston near Richmond, Texas. It is spread over 240 and a few hectares and is considered a natural historical park in the middle of a beaver ranch which extends over 10,500 hectares. You will meet real cowboys and see them at work. People in disguise are part of a historical exhibition and explain life on a farm or ranch.
"George Ranch and the Battle of San Jacinto are two attractions
The Battle of San Jacinto and its surrounding national park and the San Jacinto Museum with its 570-foot obelisk are located 25 miles east of Houston. This site commemorates the battle that ensured Texas's independence. The warship "Texas", a battleship of the First World War, helped land on the Brittany coast of D-Day, is moored nearby. You can visit this museum, the monument and the ship on any day of the year. "Galveston is less than an hour's drive from Houston on the I-45. This city-port, which long ago was a hiding place for pirates, has a typical and historic centre with Victorian-style houses. There are historic streets with tropical plants and fish specialties restaurants, night clubs and bars. The Moody Gardens include three large glass pyramids with tropical forests, an aquarium and a tropical lagoon.
Shopping in Houston
There are several "shopping malls" scattered throughout Houston. The "Galleria", located at the top west of the city centre, is the most impressive mall with a wide variety of European and international couturiers shops. Highland Village and Uptown Park are other malls shopping nearby. Further west is the Katy Mills Mall with its distinctive shops, shopping malls, restaurants and other attractions. "Deerbrook Mall, Willowbrook Mall and Woodlands Mall are located north of downtown. "Baybrook Mall is southbound on the road to NASA and Galveston.
Sports, Entertainment and Cultural Activities
The "Houston Astros" play in the new stadium "Enron Field". At the beginning of 2002, the new franchise of the "Houston Texans", the national football team, will play in its new stadium the "Reliant Stadium". Houston also has a women's National Basketball Association team called the Houston Comets. There is a hyppodrome where horse racing takes place northwest of Houston, a greyhound racing centre south of downtown and a dozen golf courses around the city.Cultural activities include the world-renowned Houston Symphony, the Houston Grand Opera and ballets. There are also several theatres offering musical performances from Broadway and even "avant-garde" productions to drama plays. There are many museums, art galleries, and other places offering all kinds of entertainment in this modern and cosmopolitan environment.
