Texas

Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States, a sprawling Gulf Coast hub known for its energy industry, world-class medical institutions and deep cultural diversity.

Founded in 1836 near Buffalo Bayou and named for General Sam Houston, the city grew from a railroad and port settlement into a global energy centre. Its landmarks include the downtown skyline, the Houston Ship Channel and the Johnson Space Center, the NASA facility behind Houston's Space City nickname.

The Museum District and Theater District hold major institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Menil Collection, the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Houston Symphony. Neighbourhoods such as Montrose, The Heights and the Galleria area each offer distinct dining, shopping and local character.

Houston's economy spans energy, aerospace, healthcare through the Texas Medical Center, logistics and technology, and the city regularly hosts major conferences, trade events and international business traffic. Its food scene reflects one of America's most diverse metro areas, with Tex-Mex, barbecue, Vietnamese and Gulf seafood traditions.

For leisure and business travellers, Houston combines large museums, professional sports, a busy festival calendar and rodeo culture with convenient access through two major airports and one of the busiest ports in the United States.