While Houston has consistently been distinguished as being the energy capital of the world, it is the energy of its diverse population, vibrant business climate and quality of life that make it unique. It is an international city. It is a leader in the arts, education and healthcare. It is a city that continues to take the best of its past and build on the future.

• Houston was ranked as the third most livable city in the country by Places Rated Almanac in 1996 and 1997.
• Six Texas Medical Center institutions were ranked in the 1998 U.S. News and World Report survey of the top hospitals in the country.
• Houston is an emerging center of television and major movie production-an industry that pumped more than $100 million into Houston's economy the last two years.
• Houston is the only large city in the nation to register a decline in traffic congestion in 10 of the past 11 years.
• Sixty primary languages-other than English-are spoken in the homes of Houston Independent School District students.
• Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States with more than 3.8 million resident in the PMSA.