Houston is also home to the largest health care center in the world. More than 4.5 million patients are treated annually at the 42 nonprofit institutions that comprise the world famous Texas Medical Center.

Houston's population climbed from 1,630,553 in 1990 to 1,953,631 in 2000. The Houston Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area grew from 3,731,000 in 1990 to 4,670,000 in 2000.

City of Houston
Mailing Address:P.O. Box 1562 • Houston, Texas 77251
City Switchboard: 713-247-1000

Physical Address: 900 Bagby • Houston, Texas 77002
City TDD:713-247-1940

Police Department: To request non-emergency police service for locations within the city limits of Houston, dial 713 222-3131.

Fire Department: The Houston Fire Department was established in 1838 with one station, Protection Company No. 1. It grew to a volunteer fire department status with three stations by 1859. After having provided volunteer firefighting services for 57 years, the City of Houston Fire Department began paying its firefighters in 1895. HFD is the third largest fire department in the United States and is responsible for preserving life and property to a population of 1.8 million in an area totaling 617 square miles. phone Central Command 713 247-1837 EMS Division 713 865-4210 Fire Museum 2403 Milam Street 713 524-2526

Recruiting Office 1100 Elder Street 713 238-9661

Houston Public Libary Call (713) 236-1313 to ask a librarian the quick answer to a question. The Telephone Reference service will help you during Central Library day hours seven days a week. Answers to some frequently asked questions are made available on recordings. For a list of recordings, dial (713) 247-3592. see map to libraries.

The Houston Chronicle daily newspaper. Monday - Tuesday - Wed - Thursday - Friday - Saturday - Sunday - to subscribe call 713 220-7211 or 1-888-220-7211 during regular business hours.

The Arts

Lawndale Art & Performance Center
713-528-5858

Rice University Art Galleries
713-527-6069

October Gallery
244 W. 19th St. (Heights)
Large eclectic gallery featuring hundreds of artists from around the country.
713-861-3411

Portico Art gallery & home accessories.
2426 Times Blvd. (in the Village)
713-524-0575

Project Row Houses
2500 Holman
Sally Sprout Gallery
713-526-6461

The Alley Theater
Houston's first real theater venue.
713-228-8421

DaCamera
Renowned for its creative and diverse programming of jazz and chamber music.
713-524-5050

Houston Ballet
Ongoing
713-227-ARTS

Houston Grand Opera
Ongoing
713-227-ARTS

Houston Symphony
713-224-7575

Theater Under the Stars
The largest non-profit producer of musical theater in America.
713-558-2600

Wortham Theater Center
713-277-ARTS

Museums

Battleship Texas
281 479 2431

The Art Car Museum
Located in the Houston Heights, a must see.
(713)861-5526

Bayou Bend
Newly restored home and gardens of famous Houston socialite Ima Hogg.
713-639-7750

Children's Museum of Houston
A place to take the kids
713-522-1138

Contempory Arts Museum
713-284-8250

Holocaust Museum
713-942-8000 (free)

The Menil Collection
Ongoing 713-525-9400

Museum of Fine Arts
www.mfah.org
1001 Bissonnet (at Main), Houston, Texas 77005
hours: Tuesday,Wednsady and Saturday 10 am to 7 pm
Thursday and Friday 10 am to 9 pm
Sunday 12:15 pm to 7 pm
713-526-1361

Museum of Natural Science
713-639-IMAX

San Jacinto Monument & Museum
The San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park is 20 miles east of downtown Houston. From Loop 610, take Texas Highway 225 East for eight miles. Exit on Battleground Road and turn left. Street Address: One Monument Circle, La Porte, Texas 77571-9744
(281) 479-2421

Places to go - things to see.

Astrodome
The world’s first domed stadium, known as "the eighth wonder of the world" 30 years ago, is now home to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and other special events. Daily tours. 8400 Kirby at Loop 610, 713-799-9500.

Bayou Place
Downtown Houston’s new entertainment complex is the largest of its kind in Texas, with the Ariel Theater, the Angelika Film Center, and several restaurants, including the Hard Rock Café, under one roof. 502 Texas Avenue, 713-230-1600.

George Observatory
The drive out to Brazos Bend State Park is worth the effort just to check out the heavens on the gigantic 36-inch research telescope, but be sure to call for reservations. Smaller telescopes are also available anytime. 21901 FM 762, Needville, 409-553-3400.

Moody Gardens
Galveston has more than beaches to offer our visitors. This renowned attraction offers the new Aquarium Pyramid, the Rainforest Pyramid, a stunning IMAX Theater and the Palm Beach Water Park. One Hope Blvd., 800-582-4673

NASA’S Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston
For far-out fun, see actual spacecraft, like Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsules; watch astronauts train for upcoming shuttle missions; touch a moon rock; or walk in space through state-of-the-art simulators. Space Center Houston is located at 1601 Nasa Rd, Houston, TX 77058, approximately 25 miles south of downtown Houston in the NASA/Clear Lake area.
281-244-2100
also see: NASA - www.nasa.gov

Port of Houston
Make a reservation well in advance to board the Sam Houston for a free 90-minute cruise around the Port and Ship Channel. Tour information: Gate 8, Wharf 7, 7600 Clinton Drive, 713-670-2576.

The Tunnel System
An interesting jaunt for a bad-weather day, Houston’s sub-terranean tunnel system connects 55 office buildings with a plethora of shops and services. Discover Houston conducts private walking tours of this mind-boggling maze. 713-222-9255.

Kemah Waterfront
This renovated development on the Kemah channel to Galveston Bay is loaded with family fun, though peak times are over-crowded. Known for its long row of seafood eateries, it has now added a nostalgic amusement park, complete with a classic Ferris wheel and carousel. #1 Kemah Waterfront, 281-334-2513.

Six Flags Astro World Water World
Family fun is also the order of the day at this 75-acre amusement park just across Loop 610 from the Astrodome. Thrill rides include Taz’s Texas Tornado and the terrifying Dungeon Drop. The cool water park, conveniently situated next door to AstroWorld, includes a 30,000-square-foot wave pool, a 900-foot lazy river and water slides galore. 9001 Kirby, 713-799-1234.

SplashTown
Catch a wave north of town with 45 acres of fun, including 35 rides with wave pools, water slides and kiddy sensations. 21300 North Interstate 45, 281-355-3300.

River Oaks
Perhaps Houston's most prestigious neighborhood, native Houstonians especially will take notice of an R.O. address. Characterized by wide, oak lined streets and beautiful mature landscape, River Oaks Boulevard and Kirby Drive are the main thoroughfares and are graced with beautiful large estates. Home of the Azalea Trail and the River Oaks Country Club, River Oaks is nestled between the Galleria and Downtown. Memorial Park is just to the North. The upper Kirby Business District and and West Gray areas provide many of Houston's trendiest restaurants and boutiques. For mall shopping the mother of all malls - the Galleria is very nearby. Homes were built here back to the 20's but there are new homes available also. Prices range from $800,000 to multi-millions.