Named after Sam Houston, general of Texas army that won independence from Mexico, and president of the Republic of Texas. The city, largest in Texas and fourth largest in...

Named after Sam Houston, general of Texas army that won independence from Mexico, and president of the Republic of Texas. The city, largest in Texas and fourth largest in nation, has experienced phenomenal growth since a small riverboat landing was established on Buffalo Bayou by Allen brothers in August 1836. Today, SpaceCity USA is an industrial and financial hub for much of the state. Houston lies on I-10, a segment of the Ports-to-Plains Highway connecting the state’s heartland to coastal ports.

Institutions of higher learning include Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Baptist Univ., Rice Univ., South Texas College of Law, South Texas Junior College, Texas Southern Univ., Univ. of Houston, Univ. of St. Thomas and Univ. of Texas Health Science Center.

Major annual events include Freedom Over Texas in July and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the largest livestock exposition in the world, in Mar. The Houston International Festival each April celebrates Houston’s multiculturalism with a 10-day outdoor festival of multicultural music, dance, arts and crafts, and food.

Professional sports are presented throughout the year. Teams include the Houston Astros, baseball; Houston Rockets and the Houston Comets, basketball; Houston Texans, football; Houston Dynamo, soccer; and the Houston Aeros, hockey.

Visitor Information Center in City Hall: 901 Bagby St. 800/4-HOUSTON. www.visithoustontexas.com.