2000 census population (rank): 1,953,631
(4); % change: 19.8; Male: 975,551 (49.9%);
Female: 978,080 (50.1%); White: 962,610 (49.3%);
Black: 494,496 (25.3%); American Indian and Alaska
Native: 8,568 (0.4%); Asian: 103,694 (5.3%); Other
race: 321,603 (16.5%); Two or more races: 61,478 (3.1%);
Hispanic/Latino: 730,865 (37.4%). 2000 percent population
18 and over: 72.5%; 65 and over: 8.4%; Median age:
30.9.
Houston, the largest city in Texas and seat of Harris
County, is located in the southeast part of the state near the Gulf of Mexico.
Sam Houston was the
commander-in-chief of the Texas troops who fought a successful war of
rebellion against Mexico, which had been in possession of Texas. On April
21, 1836, Houston's men won a decisive victory in which the Mexican
dictator, Gen. Santa Anna, was taken
prisoner and forced to sign the treaty that launched the Republic of
Texas. In September, a constitution was ratified, and Houston was elected
president. The Texas Republic was recognized by the U.S. and by the major
European powers. The present city of Houston was incorporated in 1837 and
named after Sam Houston; it was the Republic's first capital.
The port of Houston ranks high among U.S. ports in foreign tonnage
handled. The city is a major business, financial, science, and technology
center. Houston is outstanding in oil and natural-gas production and is
the energy capital of the world. It is the home of one of the largest
medical facilities in the world—the Texas Medical Center—and the focus of
the aerospace industry. The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is the nation's
headquarters for staffed spaceflight.
Among the city's many visitor attractions are the Museum of Fine Arts,
Space Center Houston, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, George
Ranch Historical Park, Reliant Park, and nearby San Jacinto
Battlefield.
Mayor Bill White easily won the November 2005 mayoral election.
