The city of Houston is the fourth largest city in America, and because of its swampy origins, it is known locally as the Bayou City. It is a sprawling metropolis boasting affluent districts, a detailed and colourful history and a rich and vibrant culture.

Houston's uptown and downtown districts are brimming with world-class shopping malls, quality international cuisine, some of the best theatres and museums in the country, and stunning parks and gardens. The business district meanwhile is home to a thriving business centre, impressive skyscrapers, annual cultural events and elegant bars and restaurants.

There is a wide range of activities for all of the family in Houston. Children will be delighted at the museums and theme parks on offer, while adults will find a host of museums, historical monuments and nature trails to keep them amused. Houston has certainly come a long way since its humble beginnings as a cotton exporter.

Those looking for evening entertainment will find an abundance of bars and restaurants to choose from, where they can listen to live music, enjoy a romantic meal by the river, take a trip to the theatre or simply take a stroll around the cultural centre.

Regardless of what time of year you visit, you are bound to be in the city at the time of an annual festival. Houston sees many events and festivals taking place throughout the year, which guarantee good food, music, company and plenty of laughs.

Visitors will find an extensive choice of accommodations ranging from luxurious five-star hotels to more affordable lodgings. Hotels can generally be found dotted around the city, close to the airport and in the surrounding suburbs. Houston is home to a wide array of mid-range hotels, which can largely be found on West Loop Freeway South, West Loop South and West Alabama.

The town of Houston was founded in August 1836 when two real-estate brothers, John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapman Allen, purchased some land which they named after Sam Houston. The town was granted city status in 1837, and Houston was named the temporary capital of the state.

By 1860, Houston materialised as a commercial hub for the export of cotton and during the Civil War, Houston served as the headquarters for General John Bankhead Magruder. After the Civil War, Houston businessmen initiated efforts to expand the city’s trading ability and ensured substantial growth.

The discovery of oil in 1901 saw the immediate development of the oil industry, which eventually transformed Houston into a large and powerful city. By the end of the 1930s however, Houston began to experience problems. The city was growing faster than it could cope with and by 1939 Houston was Texas' most heavily populated city.

Astrodome Shipbuilding was built during WWII and its emergence encouraged Houston's growth, while the establishment of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center (which was renamed the Lyndon B Johnson Space Center) in 1961 created the city's aerospace industry.

During the late 1970s, Houston experienced another population boom as people moved to the affluent oil areas of the country. Unfortunately, due to the city’s heavy reliance on oil, the local economy suffered huge losses when oil prices fell in 1986. To coincide with the collapse in oil prices, the space industry also suffered badly with the space shuttle Challenger disaster. These events led to a recession for the Houston economy. In the first nine months of 1987, 11 banks closed.

Since this recession, Houston has expanded its economy by focusing on aerospace and biotechnology, cutting its reliance on oil.

Houston enjoys a subtropical climate with high humidity ratings. There is sunshine year-round and an average annual precipitation of 50 inches.

Summer temperatures in Houston reach their climax during July and August, when it can reach up to 35°C. This time of year can also see violent weather and storms which can lead to tornadoes. Late summer sees especially turbulent weather.

Winters in Houston are cool, with January being the coldest month of the year. Daytime temperatures reach highs of around 16°C and night-times can even reach freezing at times. Winter is Houston's wettest season, with rain falling throughout the colder months. Snow is rare here, but not unheard of.

If you don’t like extreme weather, the best time to visit Houston is in the spring. Temperatures are very pleasant; there is not much rain and no real risk of hurricanes, tornadoes or tropical storms. Autumn can also be pleasant, but there is an increased risk of hurricanes, especially in September.