Houston, Texas — Overview
Despite its high-rise skyline, Houston has an open feel with several lakes and waterways winding their way through the city, surrounded by lush green landscape. Houston has been a dynamic center of business, particularly in oil, since 'black gold' was discovered at nearby Beaumont in 1901. It is also the leader in space technology - Houston is home to NASA and the Johnson Space Center, the base for Mission Control and the place where astronauts are trained. It was established in 1961, as NASA's primary site for the design, development and testing of spacecraft for human flight. The port area, which is linked to the city by the Houston Ship Channel, an 80km (50-mile) inland waterway, is thriving and has developed into an important business district. Houston is now the fourth largest in America, covering an area of 1600 sq km (618 sq miles).In recent years, Houston's Downtown has undergone a dramatic transformation into a dynamic area of the city. It's now both an entertainment and residential district, and many buildings have been converted into loft apartments that sell at a premium. The area is a magnet for people who wish to have dinner, see a movie or a show and walk along the historic waterfront in Sesquicentennial Park and on the Sabine-to-Bagby Promenade. Bayou Place, an entertainment complex in the Downtown Theater District, has been a great addition to the area, providing restaurants, live music and a multiplex cinema.
