Houston is the largest city in Texas having a population of around 2.2 million people and is the fourth largest city in the USA.
Founded in 1836 the city was incorporated on June 5th 1837 and named after the Texas president Sam Houston who as a general had commanded in the nearby battle of San Jacinto in 1836 which was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. In 1901 oil was discovered leading to a large surge in the population.
One of Houstons many claims to fame is it is the home to the Johnson Space Center where NASA's Mission Control Center is located.
The climate in the Houston area is classified as humid subtropical. During summer the temperature reaches over 90 �F (32 �C), with an average of 99 days per year above 90 �F (32 �C). Winters are temperate with snowfall being a rare occurrence whilst rainfall is above average at around 54 inches a year.
Houston has many annual events to celebrate the diverse cultures of Houston. The largest and longest running is the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which has drawn some of the world's biggest stars and music legends including Elvis Presley, Garth Brooks, Beyonc�, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys to name but a few. It is held over 20 days from late February to early March.
Another large celebration is the annual night-time Houston Pride Parade, held at the end of June Other annual events include the Houston Greek Festival, Art Car Parade, the Houston Auto Show and the Houston International Festival.
Houston's skyline has been ranked fourth most impressive in the United States; it is the third-tallest skyline in the United States and one of the top 10 in the world. With a system of tunnels and skywalks which link the buildings in downtown which contain shops, restaurants, and convenience stores. Allowing shoppers to walk from one building to another without walking through the intense summer heat and the heavy rain showers.
