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San Antonio, Texas

The Alamo in San Antonio

San Antonio is a city in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat of Bexar County.6 As of the 2000 census, San Antonio had a resident population of 1,144,646, and was the ninth largest city in the United States and the third largest in Texas. As of January 2005, it had an estimated population of 1,282,800, greater than that of Dallas; it is now ranked as the 8th largest city in the U.S.

Originally founded by Canary Islanders in 1731 (although a small Indian community had already been established in the San Pedro Springs area called Yanaguana), San Antonio de Béxar was an early Spanish settlement in the Americas. The Battle of the Alamo took place nearby in 1836, and eventually the town would grow to encompass the embattled mission. Today, the Alamo is in the heart of downtown San Antonio.

Famous for its Riverwalk and the Alamo, the Spurs basketball team, the Tower of the Americas, and being home to SeaWorld and Six Flags theme parks, San Antonio is visited by 20 million tourists per year.

The city is home to Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base and Brooks City Base.

San Antonio is home to the state's first art museum (Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum).

SBC Communications, Valero Energy Corp, United Services Automobile Association, Tesoro Petroleum Corp, Southwest Research Institute, H-E-B supermarkets and Clear Channel Communications are headquartered in San Antonio.

San Antonio is served by San Antonio International Airport.

The Fairmont Hotel, built in 1906, is in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the heaviest buildings ever moved intact. It was placed in its new location, three blocks south of the Alamo, over four days in 1985, and cost $650,000 to move.


Location in the state of Texas
Founded 1731
County Bexar County
Mayor Edward D. Garza sitting mayor
Phil Hardberger mayor-elect
Area
 - Total
 - Water

1,067.3 km² (412.07 mi²)
11.7 km² (4.51 mi²) 1.09%
Population
 - City (2000)
 - Density
 - Metropolitan

1,144,646
1,084.4/km²
1,592,383
Time zone Central (UTC –6)
Coordinates
WGS-84 (GPS)
29.4251° N 98.4946° W (http://kvaleberg.com/extensions/mapsources/index.php?params=29.4251_N_98.4946_W_region:US_type:city)
www.sanantonio.gov

Tourism

San Antonio is a popular tourist destination. The jewel of the city is the Paseo del Rio, or River Walk, which meanders through the downtown area. Lined with numerous shops, bars, and restaurants as well as the Arneson River Theater, this attraction is transformed into an impressive festival of lights during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

The downtown area also features HemisFair Park (home of the Tower of the Americas and the Institute of Texan Cultures), La Villita, El Mercado, and the city's most widely recognized landmark, the Alamo.

Other places of interest include Brackenridge Park (home of the San Antonio Zoo), the missions of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the Witte Museum, the McNay Art Museum, SeaWorld of Texas, and the Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park.

Every April, San Antonio hosts Fiesta San Antonio, a 10-day celebration of the city's diverse cultures and of the heroes of the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, featuring over one hundred events held throughout the city. Visitors can also experience something of the cowboy culture every February at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo; year round, they can also see the 40 ft. tall cowboy boots at North Star Mall.

Beyond taking in the sights and sounds of San Antonio, tourists can sample some of its world famous Tex-Mex cuisine at the many fine restaurants located throughout the city. San Antonio also has no shortage of establishments offering Texas style barbecue, and for the truly intrepid barbecue aficionado, a day trip to some of the more renowned barbecue pits and smokehouses of Central Texas is both necessary and easily manageable.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1,067.3 km² (412.07 mi²). 1,055.6 km² (407.56 mi²) of it is land and 11.7 km² (4.51 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.09% water. The city sits on the Balcones Escarpment.

Weather

Downtown San Antonio features the historic San Fernando Cathedral, the Tower Life Building and the Tower of the Americas.

San Antonio's weather can be described as somewhat dry air, hot in the summer, cool in the winter, and rather comfortable in the spring and fall. Only a few freezes occur each year and snow is almost unheard of.

Monthly Averages (in degrees Fahrenheit):

Jan 62 High, 39 Low
Feb 67 High, 43 Low
Mar 74 High, 50 Low
Apr 80 High, 57 Low
May 86 High, 66 Low
Jun 91 High, 72 Low
Jul 95 High, 74 Low
Aug 95 High, 74 Low
Sep 90 High, 69 Low
Oct 82 High, 59 Low
Nov 71 High, 49 Low
Dec 64 High, 41 Low

In San Antonio, July is the average warmest month. The highest temperature ever to be recorded was 108°F in 1986. The average coolest month is January. The lowest recorded temperature ever was 0°F in 1949. May, June and October have quite a bit of precipitation.

Note: These are averages provided from www.weather.com.

Demographics

Aerial view of San Antonio, Texas, and the surrounding plains, December 1939.

According to the 2000 census, San Antonio is the 9th largest city in the United States and the third largest in Texas. There are 1,144,646 people, 405,474 households, and 280,993 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,084.4/km² (2,808.5/mi²).

There are 433,122 housing units at an average density of 410.3/km² (1,062.7/mi²). According to Texas.com, the current racial make up of San Antonio is: 32% non-Hispanic White, 7% African-American, 2% Asian, 1% Native American; 58% of the population is Hispanic. Whites tend to settle on the North and Northwest side, Blacks generally on the East side, Hispanics in the West, Central and South sides.

In the city the population is spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. In San Antonio, 48% of the population are Males, and 52% of the population are Females. For every 100 females there are 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $36,214, and the median income for a family is $41,331. Males have a median income of $30,061 versus $24,444 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,487. 17.3% of the population and 14.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.3% of those under the age of 18 and 13.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Government

Downtown San Antonio as viewed from the Tower of the Americas

San Antonio operates on the council-manager form of government. Voters elect 11 representatives. This includes 10 district representatives and 1 mayor to pass laws and establish policies for the city. San Antonio politics is non-partisian. Representatives are paid $20 dollars a meeting, while the Mayor earns $4040 dollars a year. The council hires a City Manager to serve as the City's chief administrator.

Transportation

The San Antonio International Airport is located in north central San Antonio, approximately eight miles from downtown. It has two terminals and is served by 12 airlines serving 28 destinations including 3 in Mexico. An extensive bus and trolley system is provided by the city's metropolitan transit system, VIA. (http://www.viainfo.net|) VIA offers 78 regular bus routes and four trolley routes, including express routes from downtown to the theme parks. VIA also offers a special service to city events, including Spurs games and city parades, from its Park and Ride locations.

San Antonio serves as the southern terminus for Amtrak's Texas Eagle train service, originating in Chicago. From there, the Sunset Limited travels west to Los Angeles and east to Orlando three times per week. The old Sunset Station (http://www.sunset-station.com|) is now an entertainment venue owned by VIA and neighbored by the current station and the Alamodome.

Communication

Newspaper

San Antonio has one major newspaper, the San Antonio Express-News, which has been in service since 1865. The Express-News currently circulates as the largest newspaper service in South Texas. A second newspaper, the San Antonio Light, existed, but it went out of business in 1993.

Television

While the city may be one of the largest in the country, San Antonio is only the 37th largest television market in the United States, according to Neilsen. The following list are the major affiliate television stations in the city.


Radio

There are about 40 radio stations that can be heard in the San Antonio area with 30 of these located inside San Antonio. Perhaps the most visible station in San Antonio is WOAI AM-1200 (affiliated with the TV Station), who are the radio home of the San Antonio Spurs.

Education

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is located northwest of Downtown

San Antonio hosts several institutions of higher education offering associate's degrees or higher, including:

And many other institutions that offer courses and trainings for individuals.

Libraries

Sports Teams

The city's only top-level professional sports team, and consequently the team most San Antonians follow, is the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. The Spurs have been playing in San Antonio since 1973 and have won two NBA Championships. Previously, the Spurs played at the Alamodome, which was built for football, but the Spurs built and moved into the SBC Center in 2002. One of the immediate consequences for the SBC Center is the creation of two new teams, The San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League and the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA. San Antonio is also home to the Double-A Minor League affilate of the Seattle Mariners, the San Antonio Missions who play at Nelson Wolff Stadium on the west side of the city.

Nightlife

The Paseo del Rio, or the Riverwalk, in downtown San Antonio

San Antonio has a robust nightlife that centers on several key areas:

Neighborhoods

San Antonio has several neighborhoods of interest:

- from http://www.montevista-sa.org/homes/
- from http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/KK/ghk1.html

Notable Natives

Henry Cisneros was the mayor of San Antonio from 1981 to 1989. He was the first Hispanic mayor of a major U.S. city, and later went on to serve as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton.

NFL players from San Antonio include Keith Cash and Kerry Cash (Holmes High School), John Hagy, Priest Holmes and Ndukwe "N.D." Kalu (Marshall High School).

Shaquille O'Neal graduated from Robert G. Cole High School, having led his team to a 36-0 record and a state championship his senior year.

Professional wrestler Shawn Michaels grew up on Lackland Air Force Base, where his father, an Air Force colonel, was stationed.

Olympic gold medalist swimmer Josh Davis was born in San Antonio on September 1, 1972, the same day Mark Spitz won one of his seven 1972 gold medals and made Olympic history.

Native actors include Carol Burnett, Ann Prentiss, Hal LeSueur, and Joan Crawford.

While not a native of San Antonio, actor Tommy Lee Jones makes his home just outside the city on a 3,000-acre cattle ranch.

Syndicated advice columnist Heloise was born in San Antonio and still resides there.

American Juniors runner-up Jordan McCoy, who is now signed with Sean Combs, also hails from San Antonio.


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American Juniors runner-up Jordan McCoy, who is now signed with Sean Combs, also hails from San Antonio. The team will begin playing at the new site in 2009 after thirty-eight years in Irving. Syndicated advice columnist Heloise was born in San Antonio and still resides there. In November of 2004, a vote was passed by the City of Arlington, Texas to build a new stadium adjacent to the existing Ameriquest Field in Arlington. While not a native of San Antonio, actor Tommy Lee Jones makes his home just outside the city on a 3,000-acre cattle ranch. The Cowboys started strong, with victories against the Browns and Redskins, but quickly fell off to a 3-5 record by midseason, finishing the season 6-10. Native actors include Carol Burnett, Ann Prentiss, Hal LeSueur, and Joan Crawford. Injuries and persistent penalty problems hobbled the Cowboys, but a preseason quarterback controversy also caused trouble when Quincy Carter was suddenly terminated for drug use in favor of 40-year-old veteran Vinny Testaverde, brought to the Cowboys from the New York Jets by his former coach in the off-season.

Olympic gold medalist swimmer Josh Davis was born in San Antonio on September 1, 1972, the same day Mark Spitz won one of his seven 1972 gold medals and made Olympic history. However, the 2004 season was one of turmoil. Professional wrestler Shawn Michaels grew up on Lackland Air Force Base, where his father, an Air Force colonel, was stationed. The Cowboys became the surprise team of the 2003 season, posting a 10-6 record with one of the most dominating defenses in the league. Cole High School, having led his team to a 36-0 record and a state championship his senior year. However, Jones proved them wrong in 2003 by luring Bill Parcells out of retirement to coach the Cowboys. Shaquille O'Neal graduated from Robert G. Many fans and media were beginning to blame Jerry Jones for the team's ills, noting that he refused to hire a strong coach, preferring to hire coaches that didn't want to be involved with personnel duties so that Jones himself could manage them.

NFL players from San Antonio include Keith Cash and Kerry Cash (Holmes High School), John Hagy, Priest Holmes and Ndukwe "N.D." Kalu (Marshall High School). Defensive coordinator Dave Campo was promoted to head coach, but he could only post three consecutive 5-11 seasons. city, and later went on to serve as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton. Gailey led the team to a 10-6 record in 1998, but was let go after a 8-8 season in 1999. He was the first Hispanic mayor of a major U.S. Former Steelers offensive coordinator Chan Gailey was hired to take over head coaching duties. Henry Cisneros was the mayor of San Antonio from 1981 to 1989. The Cowboys went 6-10 in 1997 and Switzer was let go.

San Antonio has several neighborhoods of interest:. But the glory days of the Cowboys were again beginning to fade as free agency and injuries began taking their toll. San Antonio has a robust nightlife that centers on several key areas:. But another 12-4 season in 1995 got the Cowboys to the playoffs once again where they eventually defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Super Bowl XXX. San Antonio is also home to the Double-A Minor League affilate of the Seattle Mariners, the San Antonio Missions who play at Nelson Wolff Stadium on the west side of the city. Jones hired former University of Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer to be the team's new head coach. The Cowboys would finish 12-4, but lost in the NFC Championship game to the 49ers, 38-28. One of the immediate consequences for the SBC Center is the creation of two new teams, The San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League and the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA. However, Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones had a falling out and Johnson left the organization prior to the 1994 season.

Previously, the Spurs played at the Alamodome, which was built for football, but the Spurs built and moved into the SBC Center in 2002. The Cowboys went on to defeat the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII, 52-17. The following season, the Cowboys went 12-4, again defeating the 49ers in the NFC Championship and again defeating the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl, this time 30-13 in Super Bowl XXVIII. The Cowboys sent a record 11 players to the Pro Bowl: Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Thomas Everett, Daryl Johnston, Russell Maryland, Nate Newton, Ken Norton Jr, Jay Novacek, Mark Stepnoski and Erik Williams. The Spurs have been playing in San Antonio since 1973 and have won two NBA Championships. In 1992, the Cowboys finished 13-3 (second best in the league) and exacted their revenge on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, 30-20. The city's only top-level professional sports team, and consequently the team most San Antonians follow, is the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. By 1991, the Cowboys finished with an 11-5 record, making the playoffs for the first time in six years. And many other institutions that offer courses and trainings for individuals. The Cowboys finished 7-9, but Smith was named NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year and Jimmy Johnson was selected as Coach of the Year.

San Antonio hosts several institutions of higher education offering associate's degrees or higher, including:. In 1990, the Cowboys drafted Emmitt Smith and the trifecta of Aikman, Smith and wide receiver Michael Irvin was now set. There are about 40 radio stations that can be heard in the San Antonio area with 30 of these located inside San Antonio. Perhaps the most visible station in San Antonio is WOAI AM-1200 (affiliated with the TV Station), who are the radio home of the San Antonio Spurs. The Cowboys finished the 1989 season with a 1-15 record, the worst record since the team's inception, but the foundations for the Cowboys' return to glory had been set.
. With the first pick in the draft, the Cowboys selected quarterback Troy Aikman and traded away veteran running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for five veteran players and eight draft choices. The following list are the major affiliate television stations in the city. Jones promptly fired the only coach the Cowboys had ever known and replaced him with University of Miami head coach, Jimmy Johnson.

While the city may be one of the largest in the country, San Antonio is only the 37th largest television market in the United States, according to Neilsen. "Bum" Bright purchased the Dallas Cowboys from Murchison, but following seasons that were getting progressively worse (1985: 10-6; 1986: 7-9; 1987: 7-8; 1988: 3-13), Bright sold the Cowboys to Jerry Jones on February 25, 1989. A second newspaper, the San Antonio Light, existed, but it went out of business in 1993. In 1984, H.R. The Express-News currently circulates as the largest newspaper service in South Texas. Clark's famous leap in the end zone would come to be known as "The Catch" and represented a changing of the guard in the NFC from the dominant Cowboys teams of the 1970s to the dominant 49ers teams of the 1980s. San Antonio has one major newspaper, the San Antonio Express-News, which has been in service since 1865. In the 1981-1982 NFC Championship game, the Cowboys lost to the San Francisco 49ers on a last-second touchdown pass from Joe Montana to Dwight Clark.

The old Sunset Station (http://www.sunset-station.com|) is now an entertainment venue owned by VIA and neighbored by the current station and the Alamodome. Roger Staubach retired following the 1979 season and the Cowboys began declining in the NFL. From there, the Sunset Limited travels west to Los Angeles and east to Orlando three times per week. They would reach one final Super Bowl, Super Bowl XIII, losing once again at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers, 35-31. San Antonio serves as the southern terminus for Amtrak's Texas Eagle train service, originating in Chicago. The glory days of the Cowboys in the 1970s were coming to an end. VIA also offers a special service to city events, including Spurs games and city parades, from its Park and Ride locations. Bob Ryan, an NFL films editor, would dub the Cowboys "America's Team" following this season, a nickname that stuck through both the good and bad times to come.

An extensive bus and trolley system is provided by the city's metropolitan transit system, VIA. (http://www.viainfo.net|) VIA offers 78 regular bus routes and four trolley routes, including express routes from downtown to the theme parks. But the Cowboys would again taste Super Bowl victory, defeating the Denver Broncos 27-10 in Super Bowl XII. It has two terminals and is served by 12 airlines serving 28 destinations including 3 in Mexico. The fresh influx of talent helped the Cowboys to Super Bowl X, where the Cowboys lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-17. The San Antonio International Airport is located in north central San Antonio, approximately eight miles from downtown. However, the Cowboys drafted well following the season, adding new legends like Randy White and Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson. The council hires a City Manager to serve as the City's chief administrator. The Cowboys faltered slightly in 1974, missing the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

San Antonio politics is non-partisian. Representatives are paid $20 dollars a meeting, while the Mayor earns $4040 dollars a year. Under Tom Landry, the so-called "Doomsday Defense" became a powerful and dominating force in the NFL and their offense was also exciting to watch. This includes 10 district representatives and 1 mayor to pass laws and establish policies for the city. Their televised appearances on Thanksgiving Day games beginning in 1966 helped bring the Cowboys to a nationwide audience. Voters elect 11 representatives. The Cowboys were now beginning to grow in popularity not just in Dallas, but nationwide. San Antonio operates on the council-manager form of government. However, the disappointing Super Bowl loss was made up for the next year when the Cowboys, led by Staubach, won their first Super Bowl, Super Bowl VI, a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Out of the total population, 24.3% of those under the age of 18 and 13.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. Led by quarterback Craig Morton, the Cowboys made it to their first Super Bowl, a mistake-filled Super Bowl V, where they lost 16-13 to the Baltimore Colts courtesy of a field goal by Colts' kicker Jim O'Brien as time expired. 17.3% of the population and 14.0% of families are below the poverty line. Meredith and Perkins retired in 1969 and the many new players were joining the organization, like Cliff Harris, Lee Roy Jordan, Rayfield Wright, Dan Reeves, Mike Ditka and Roger Staubach. The per capita income for the city is $17,487. In the 1970s, the NFL underwent many changes as it absorbed the AFL and became a unified league, but the Cowboys also underwent many changes. Males have a median income of $30,061 versus $24,444 for females. The game would later come to be known as the "Ice Bowl.".

The median income for a household in the city is $36,214, and the median income for a family is $41,331. The Cowboys lost 21-17 on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Packers quarterback Bart Starr. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.7 males. The game, which happened on December 31, 1967 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, turned out to be one of the coldest NFL games on record (about -13° F with a -40° wind chill). For every 100 females there are 93.5 males. They went on to face the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship game. In San Antonio, 48% of the population are Males, and 52% of the population are Females. In 1967, the Cowboys finished with a 9-5 record and had their first playoff victory: a 52-14 affair over the Cleveland Browns.

The median age is 32 years. Texas Stadium in Irving, a Dallas suburb, would be completed for the 1971 season. In the city the population is spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who are 65 years of age or older. By 1969, ground was being broken on a new stadium for the Cowboys to replace the Cotton Bowl. Whites tend to settle on the North and Northwest side, Blacks generally on the East side, Hispanics in the West, Central and South sides. But in 1963 when the Texans moved to Kansas City and became the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cowboys became the only professional football draw in town. According to Texas.com, the current racial make up of San Antonio is: 32% non-Hispanic White, 7% African-American, 2% Asian, 1% Native American; 58% of the population is Hispanic. For their first years, the Cowboys were always playing second fiddle to Lamar Hunt's Dallas Texans of the AFL because the Texans were the more established team and had the better record.

There are 433,122 housing units at an average density of 410.3/km² (1,062.7/mi²). Similarly, the Cowboys were becoming an important part of the people of Dallas. The population density is 1,084.4/km² (2,808.5/mi²). By this time, the Cowboys had become a powerful force in the NFL, sending eight players to the Pro Bowl including Cowboy legends like Bob Hayes, Chuck Howley, Bob Lilly, Don Meredith, Don Perkins and Mel Renfro. There are 1,144,646 people, 405,474 households, and 280,993 families residing in the city. Quarterback Don Meredith and running back Don Perkins joined the team and by 1966, the Cowboys had their first winning season (10-3-1; they would not have another losing season until 1985) and their first playoff appearance: a 34-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. According to the 2000 census, San Antonio is the 9th largest city in the United States and the third largest in Texas. During the 1960s, the Cowboys continued to improve their team.

Note: These are averages provided from www.weather.com. The year 1961 also saw the Cowboys' first victory, a 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 17. May, June and October have quite a bit of precipitation. The following year, the Cowboys made their first NFL Draft selection, selecting Bob Lilly with the 13th pick in the draft. The lowest recorded temperature ever was 0°F in 1949. In the Cowboys' first season, they finished winless with a 0-11-1 record. The average coolest month is January. and Bedford Wynne were the team owners and they immediately hired Tex Schramm to be the general manager and Tom Landry to be the head coach.

The highest temperature ever to be recorded was 108°F in 1986. Clint Murchison, Jr. In San Antonio, July is the average warmest month. The city of Dallas, Texas was granted an NFL franchise on January 28, 1960. Monthly Averages (in degrees Fahrenheit):. The team is sometimes referred to colloquially as America's Team due its having a large number of fans who live outside its immediate local area (the term itself is derived from the title of the team's 1979 highlight film). Only a few freezes occur each year and snow is almost unheard of. The Dallas Cowboys are a National Football League team based in Irving, Texas.

San Antonio's weather can be described as somewhat dry air, hot in the summer, cool in the winter, and rather comfortable in the spring and fall. Darren Woodson. The city sits on the Balcones Escarpment. Erik Williams. The total area is 1.09% water. Randy White. 1,055.6 km² (407.56 mi²) of it is land and 11.7 km² (4.51 mi²) of it is water. Danny White.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1,067.3 km² (412.07 mi²). Herschel Walker. San Antonio also has no shortage of establishments offering Texas style barbecue, and for the truly intrepid barbecue aficionado, a day trip to some of the more renowned barbecue pits and smokehouses of Central Texas is both necessary and easily manageable. Mark Stepnoski. Beyond taking in the sights and sounds of San Antonio, tourists can sample some of its world famous Tex-Mex cuisine at the many fine restaurants located throughout the city. Roger Staubach. tall cowboy boots at North Star Mall. Emmitt Smith.

Visitors can also experience something of the cowboy culture every February at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo; year round, they can also see the 40 ft. Deion Sanders. Every April, San Antonio hosts Fiesta San Antonio, a 10-day celebration of the city's diverse cultures and of the heroes of the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, featuring over one hundred events held throughout the city. Drew Pearson. Other places of interest include Brackenridge Park (home of the San Antonio Zoo), the missions of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the Witte Museum, the McNay Art Museum, SeaWorld of Texas, and the Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park. Jay Novacek. The downtown area also features HemisFair Park (home of the Tower of the Americas and the Institute of Texan Cultures), La Villita, El Mercado, and the city's most widely recognized landmark, the Alamo. Nate Newton.

Lined with numerous shops, bars, and restaurants as well as the Arneson River Theater, this attraction is transformed into an impressive festival of lights during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Robert Newhouse. The jewel of the city is the Paseo del Rio, or River Walk, which meanders through the downtown area. Bob Lilly. San Antonio is a popular tourist destination. Leon Lett. It was placed in its new location, three blocks south of the Alamo, over four days in 1985, and cost $650,000 to move. Ed "Too Tall" Jones.

The Fairmont Hotel, built in 1906, is in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the heaviest buildings ever moved intact. Darryl Johnston. San Antonio is served by San Antonio International Airport. Michael Irvin. SBC Communications, Valero Energy Corp, United Services Automobile Association, Tesoro Petroleum Corp, Southwest Research Institute, H-E-B supermarkets and Clear Channel Communications are headquartered in San Antonio. Tony Hill. San Antonio is home to the state's first art museum (Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum). Calvin Hill.

The city is home to Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base and Brooks City Base. Alvin Harper. Famous for its Riverwalk and the Alamo, the Spurs basketball team, the Tower of the Americas, and being home to SeaWorld and Six Flags theme parks, San Antonio is visited by 20 million tourists per year. Charles Haley. Today, the Alamo is in the heart of downtown San Antonio. Peter Gent. The Battle of the Alamo took place nearby in 1836, and eventually the town would grow to encompass the embattled mission. Joey Galloway.

Originally founded by Canary Islanders in 1731 (although a small Indian community had already been established in the San Pedro Springs area called Yanaguana), San Antonio de Béxar was an early Spanish settlement in the Americas. Tony Dorsett. As of January 2005, it had an estimated population of 1,282,800, greater than that of Dallas; it is now ranked as the 8th largest city in the U.S. Quincy Carter. It is the county seat of Bexar County.6 As of the 2000 census, San Antonio had a resident population of 1,144,646, and was the ninth largest city in the United States and the third largest in Texas. Troy Aikman. state of Texas. Members of the Ring of Honor include Bob Lilly, Don Meredith, Don Perkins, Chuck Howley, Mel Renfro, Roger Staubach, Lee Roy Jordan, coach Tom Landry, Tony Dorsett, Randy White, Bob Hayes, Tex Schramm, Rayfield Wright and Cliff Harris.

San Antonio is a city in the U.S. Instead, the team has a "Ring of Honor" in which its all-time greats are honored. The only thing missing is a grocery store! While the bus system (VIA Metropolitan Transit (http://www.viainfo.net)) is not ideal, it is far better than most mass transit systems in the US. The Dallas Cowboys do not retire the numbers of past standouts as a matter of policy. Another benefit is that rush hour traffic is generally going in the opposite direction. Jason Witten. It is surprisingly affordable to live in the downtown area, although there can be a waiting list for an apartment to open up. Roy Williams.

Downtown has a growing residential population. Bill Parcells (coach). The southeastern suburb of China Grove has a song written and sung about it by the Doobie Brothers entitled "China Grove.". Dat Nguyen. Inwood just inside Loop 1604 is where many newly upper class residences are located. Terence Newman. Castle Hills is another upscale community with houses dating around the 1950's era. Quincy Morgan.

Castle Hills is a little further North, located around Loop 410 and Blanco. Julius Jones. The city of Alamo Heights is populated with historically wealthy families. Keyshawn Johnson. The North Central side of San Antonio contains some of the most valuable residential property in the city. La'Roi Glover. The northeast suburb of Windcrest is known for its tradition of elaborately decorating homes with lights every Christmas. Drew Bledsoe.

It comprises parts of some twenty-two blocks with seventy-nine historic structures, most dating from the second half of the nineteenth century. Larry Allen. The King William Historic District is just south of the central business district of San Antonio. Flozell Adams. Its distinguished residential architecture, primarily from San Antonio's "Gilded Age," defined as extending from 1890 to 1930, forms the most extensive and intact neighborhood of this era in Texas. Randy White. The Monte Vista National Historic District is located one and a half miles north of downtown San Antonio and is home to approximately 3,000 people. Roger Staubach.

On this strip, several bars can be found, such as Paparay's, Joey's, the Mix,Tycoon Flats, small coffee shops such as The Candlelight, and the latino-themed video bar, Arriba. Tex Schramm (executive). Also in the area is the North Saint Mary's Strip, located to the east of main street. Mel Renfro. Away from downtown, a strip of Main Street near San Antonio College includes predominantly gay clubs, such as The Electric Company (for younger crowds), The Saint, The Silver Dollar Saloon (a country-western themed nightspot), and the Heat. Bob Lilly. San Antonios Underground Hip Hop Culture is best represented by the Prhymemates Crew and infuses local clubs and bars with an urban feel through, DJing, Breakdancing, and MCing, that only a big city can evoke. Tom Landry (coach).

Downtown San Antonio, away from the river, has several clubs, including the popular Coyote Ugly franchise bar, gay nightspot The Bonham Exchange, and the Rivercenter Comedy Club. Tony Dorsett. Notable clubs in this area include the Hard Rock Cafe, the DANCEPLEX (formerly Polly Esther's), Club RIVE/TABU and Dick's Last Resort. Mike Ditka. The Riverwalk is home to several night clubs, all with a 2am or later closing time, depending on what night it is. San Antonio Spurs, National Basketball Association.

San Antonio Silver Stars, Women's National Basketball Association. San Antonio Rampage, American Hockey League. San Antonio Missions, Texas League Minor league baseball. Central Library Of San Antonio [10] (http://www.ci.sat.tx.us/LIBRARY/central/).

Northside I.S.D [9] (http://nisd.net/). Also home to 6th Largest School District in the State. Hallmark Institute Of Technology [8] (http://www.hallmarkinstitute.com). [7] (http://www.itt-tech.edu).

ITT Technical Institute. [6] (http://www.accd.edu). Alamo Community College District. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

The University of Texas at San Antonio [5] (http://www.utsa.edu). University of the Incarnate Word [4] (http://www.uiw.edu). Trinity University [3] (http://www.trinity.edu). Mary's University [2] (http://www.stmarytx.edu).

St. Our Lady of the Lake University [1] (http://www.ollusa.edu).