Bay Area Houston | |
|---|---|
Region | |
 Kemah boardwalk and marina | |
 Location of Bay Area within Texas | |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Texas |
| Metro Area | Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land |
| Named for | Galveston Bay |
| Largest city | Pasadena |
| Other cities | List
|
| Population | |
| • Estimate (2000-2008) | 566,850 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Website | www.bayareahouston.com |
The Galveston Bay Area, also known as Bay Area Houston or simply the Bay Area,[2][3] is a region that surrounds the Galveston Bay estuary of Southeast Texas in the United States, within Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. Normally the term refers to the mainland communities around the bay and excludes Galveston as well as most of Houston.
Originally part of the pirate kingdom of Jean Lafitte, this area played a role in the early history of Texas having been the site of some early rebellions against Mexican rule and the site of the victory of the Texas army over the Mexican army during the Texas Revolution. Ranching interests became early economic drivers around the bay. As the nearby cities of Galveston and Houston developed as commercial centers, the Bay Area communities became part of a principal commercial corridor between the cities.
The Bay Area is also the location of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center which houses the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center. The City of Houston's official nickname as "Space City" is derived from this. In addition, a large tourist attraction for area visitors is Space Center Houston.
The landscape around the bay features a mix of swamps, beaches, industrial facilities, tourist attractions, and historic sites. The area's developing population is ethnically diverse with a growing international community. The communities host cultural events ranging from ballet and musical theater to fairs and rodeos. The bay itself supports a commercial fishing industry and features one of the highest concentrations of marinas in the nation. On land the area holds numerous historic sites such as the San Jacinto Monument, and many parks and nature preserves such as the Armand Bayou Nature Center.
- ^ Number provided is a sum of data from U.S. Census and City of Houston; see Demographics
- ^ Chang (2006), p. 186.
Blackburn (2004), p. 64.
Antrobus (2005), p. 57.
"The City's Greatest Getaway: Boating, fishing, exploring and endless entertainment awaits you down by the bay". H Texas. Archived from the original on 4 October 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2009. - ^ Shaw, William H. (2002). Business ethics. Wadsworth Publishing. p. 195. ISBN 0-534-57349-5.