Population: 5 million Elevation: 50 feet Annual Rainfall: 35 inches Average January Temperature: 61 degrees F Average July Temperature: 92 degrees F
Quick Facts:
Major Industries: Petroleum, Aerospace Engineering, Medical Research Ethnic Mix: 49 % Caucasian, 25% African American, 5% Asian, 21% other races. (37% of Hispanic origin irrespective of race). Electricity: 110 volts Time Zone: GMT - 6 Country Dialing Code: 1
Area Codes: 281, 713, 832 (must be included when dialing local)
Did You Know?
Houston and its surrounding suburban sprawl encompass 8,778 square miles, making it as big as Israel and El Salvador. In terms of sheer volume of space it ranks as the largest city in the United States.
Orientation
Rated as the fourth largest city in the United States and the largest in Texas, Houston sprawls all over southeast Texas. The Gulf of Mexico looms just 50 miles east, Dallas 240 miles north, San Antonio 200 miles west, and Mexico 355 miles south. Despite its inland location it is connected to the Gulf of Mexico via the Buffalo Bayou (a Texas term for canal).