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Houston is a city in southeast Texas. It is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest city in the USA. The city was named after General Sam Houston of the Texas Army, which won independence from Mexico. Houston has been a center of business, particularly for the petroleum industry, since oil was discovered at nearby Beaumont in 1961. It is also at the forefront in space technology. NASA and the Johnson Space Center, the base for Mission Control and the place where astronauts are trained, are all located in Houston.
State: Texas
Country: United States of America
Location: Houston is located less than an hour's distance from the Gulf of Mexico. Most of Houston is flat, which makes flooding a major problem.
Geographic Coordinates: Latitude 29.46 N, Longitude 95.22 W
Map: To view a Houston city map, click here.
Per Capita Income: Per capita income in the city is $20,101.
Population: According to the 2004 census, there are more than 2 million people in Houston.
Age Structure: The age structure of the population of Houston is as follows: 27.5 percent of Houston inhabitants are under the age of 18, and 11.2 percent range from 18 to 24 years of age. Another 33.8 percent belong to the 25 to 44 year age group, while 19.1 percent are from 45 to 64 years of age. 8.4 percent of the population is 65 years or older.
Racial Makeup: 24.92 percent of the population of Houston is African-American. Asians account for 5.19 percent of the population. 37.43 percent of the population is Hispanic, while Whites make up the remaining 30.75 percent of the population.
Economy: Houston is a major industrial metropolis in the USA. After New York City,
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Houston is home to the largest number of Fortune 500 company headquarters. The city’s economy is grounded in energy (specifically oil) and aeronautics as well as shipping. Houston is nicknamed “The Space City” because NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is located here. Houston's energy industry (particularly oil) is world renowned. Biomedical research, aeronautics, and the ship channel also constitute major industrial enterprises for the city. The largest petrochemical manufacturing area in the world and the largest oilfield equipment building center is located in Houston.
Climate:Houston's climate is classified as humid subtropical. In summer, temperatures range from 95ºF (35ºC) to 110ºF (45ºC). High humidity makes the weather seem hotter than it actually is. Brief, but violent thunderstorms with strong winds, heavy rain and lightning are sometimes seen in the area in late summer. These storms can also produce tornadoes. Houston experiences cool and temperate winters. Winter temperatures generally range between 45º F and 55º F (7º C and 16º C). The weather is coldest during the month of January. Snow is extremely rare in Houston. Hurricanes slamming into the coast of Texas often pass through the city of Houston. These hurricanes sometimes cause a large number of deaths and destruction in Houston. Houston is an all year round tourist destination, but spring and autumn are the best times for many visitors.
Rainfall: Houston has a total annual rainfall of about 38 inches (884 mm).
Government Type: The Mayor is the executive leader of the city of Houston. The Mayor functions as the Chief Administrator and official representative of the city. He or she is responsible for the general administration of the city. The legislative body of the city is the City Council. It has the power to enact and enforce all ordinances and resolutions. There are 14 members in the City Council who are elected every two years.
Mojor Political Parties: Democratic Party, Republican Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, Texas Communist Party, and Constitution Party of Texas.
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