Houston, located along the Gulf Coast, spans all of Harris County and is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the U.S., with a population exceeding 4.7 million. Often referred to as Space City, Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, a hub for U.S. space exploration and research. Its skyline is marked by the JP Morgan Chase Tower, which, at 1,002 feet, is the tallest building on the Gulf Coast and one of the tallest in the southern U.S.

Houston’s economy thrives across multiple sectors, including energy, healthcare, aerospace, and international trade. The city is a global leader in the oil and gas industry and serves as headquarters for more than 20 Fortune 500 companies, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Phillips 66. The Port of Houston is one of the largest in the U.S. by total cargo tonnage, further solidifying the city’s role as a key international trade hub. Houston is also home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, providing advanced medical care and research.

Houston is known for its thriving arts scene, with the Houston Museum District and Theater District attracting millions of visitors. Notable institutions include the Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Symphony. The city is also home to major professional sports teams, including the Houston Texans (NFL), Houston Rockets (NBA), and Houston Astros (MLB), who won the World Series in 2017 and 2022.

Houston's park system is among the largest in the country, with over 52,000 acres of green space. Buffalo Bayou Park, one of the city’s most iconic, features biking trails, paddle trails, and scenic views of downtown. Hermann Park, home to the Houston Zoo and Miller Outdoor Theatre, offers 445 acres of recreational space. Memorial Park is larger than Central Park in New York and spans 1,466 acres.