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:''For Businesses in the Houston area see [[Directory:Houston Area Business]]

:''For Businesses in the Houston area see [[Directory:Houston Area Business]]

'''[[City:=Houston|[[Houston]]]]''' is the largest city in the state of [[State Located In::Texas|Texas]] and fourth-largest in the [[Nation Located In::United States]]. The city covers more than 600 square miles (1,600&nbsp;km²) and is the county seat of Harris County, Texas. As of the 2005 U.S. Census estimate, Houston had a population of more than 2 million. The city is at the heart of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, a major cultural center, the largest economic center of the Gulf Coast of the United States region and the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. with a population of 5.3 million in 10 counties. Only 29 nations have a GDP exceeding Houston's GAP.<ref>"[http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/02CW001.pdf Houston Area Profile]", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Last accessed [[2006-12-15]].</ref> Mining, which in Houston is almost entirely exploration and production of oil and gas, accounts for 11 percent of Houston's GAP; this is down from 21 percent in 1985. The reduced role of oil and gas in Houston's GAP reflects the rapid growth of other sectors, such as [[Directory:Houston Area Engineering|engineering]] services, health services, and [[Directory:Houston Area Manufacturing |manufacturing]].<ref>"[http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/15AW001.pdf Gross Area Product by Industry]", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Last accessed [[2006-12-15]].</ref>

'''[[City:=Houston|[[Houston]]]]''' is the largest city in the state of [[State Located In::Texas|Texas]] and fourth-largest in the [[Nation Located In::United States]]. The city covers more than 600 square miles (1,600&nbsp;km²) and is the county seat of Harris County, Texas. As of the 2005 U.S. Census estimate, Houston had a population of more than 2 million. The city is at the heart of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, a major cultural center, the largest economic center of the Gulf Coast of the United States region and the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. with a population of 5.3 million in 10 counties. Only 29 nations have a GDP exceeding Houston's GAP.<ref>"[http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/02CW001.pdf Houston Area Profile]", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Last accessed [[2007-02-04]].</ref> Mining, which in Houston is almost entirely exploration and production of oil and gas, accounts for 11 percent of Houston's GAP; this is down from 21 percent in 1985. The reduced role of oil and gas in Houston's GAP reflects the rapid growth of other sectors, such as [[Directory:Houston Area Engineering|engineering]] services, health services, and [[Directory:Houston Area Manufacturing |manufacturing]].<ref>"[http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/15AW001.pdf Gross Area Product by Industry]", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Last accessed [[2007-02-04]].</ref>

==Economy==

==Economy==

Houston is internationally known for its energy—particularly oil—and aeronautics industries, and for its ship channel. The Port of Houston ranks first in the country in international cargo and second in total cargo tonnage.  Second only to New York City in Fortune 500 headquarters, Houston is the seat of the Texas Medical Center, and at the center of [[Directory:Houston Area Healthcare|Houston Area Healthcare]] which contains the world's largest concentration of research and healthcare institutions. Houston ranks second in employment growth rate and fourth in nominal employment growth among the 10 most populous metro areas.<ref>"[http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/10AW001.pdf Employment by Industry]", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Last accessed [[2006-12-15]].</ref> In 2006, the Houston metropolitan area ranked first in Texas and third in the U.S. within the category of "Best Places for Business and Careers" by ''[[Forbes]]''.<ref>Badenhausen, Kurt. "[http://www.forbes.com/2006/05/03/06bestplaces_best-places-for-business_land.html 2006 Best Places for Business and Careers]", ''Forbes'', [[2006-05-04]]. Last accessed [[2006-12-15]].</ref>  Forty foreign governments maintain [[international trade|trade]] and commercial offices here and the city has 23 active foreign chambers of commerce and trade associations.<ref>"[http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/18AW001.pdf International Representation in Houston]", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Last accessed [[2006-12-15]].</ref> Twenty foreign banks representing 10 nations operate in Houston, providing financial assistance to the international community.

Houston is internationally known for its energy—particularly oil—and aeronautics industries, and for its ship channel. The Port of Houston ranks first in the country in international cargo and second in total cargo tonnage.  Second only to New York City in Fortune 500 headquarters, Houston is the seat of the Texas Medical Center, and at the center of [[Directory:Houston Area Healthcare|Houston Area Healthcare]] which contains the world's largest concentration of research and healthcare institutions. Houston ranks second in employment growth rate and fourth in nominal employment growth among the 10 most populous metro areas.<ref>"[http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/10AW001.pdf Employment by Industry]", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Last accessed [[2007-02-04]].</ref> In 2006, the Houston metropolitan area ranked first in Texas and third in the U.S. within the category of "Best Places for Business and Careers" by ''[[Forbes]]''.<ref>Badenhausen, Kurt. "[http://www.forbes.com/2006/05/03/06bestplaces_best-places-for-business_land.html 2006 Best Places for Business and Careers]", ''Forbes'', [[2006-05-04]]. Last accessed [[2007-02-04]].</ref>  Forty foreign governments maintain [[international trade|trade]] and commercial offices here and the city has 23 active foreign chambers of commerce and trade associations.<ref>"[http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/18AW001.pdf International Representation in Houston]", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Last accessed [[2006-12-15]].</ref> Twenty foreign banks representing 10 nations operate in Houston, providing financial assistance to the international community.

Houston is recognized as a global or "world city" by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network. The city has an active visual and performing arts scene as Houston is one of the five U.S. cities that offer year-round resident companies in all major performing arts. The [[Directory:Houston Area Fine Arts|Houston Theater District]] is ranked second in the country for the number of theater seats in a concentrated downtown area per capita. The city is home to NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center—where Mission Control Center is located—giving Houston its official nickname of ''"Space City."''

Houston is recognized as a global or "world city" by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network. The city has an active visual and performing arts scene as Houston is one of the five U.S. cities that offer year-round resident companies in all major performing arts. The [[Directory:Houston Area Fine Arts|Houston Theater District]] is ranked second in the country for the number of theater seats in a concentrated downtown area per capita. The city is home to NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center—where Mission Control Center is located—giving Houston its official nickname of ''"Space City."''