For most people, the city of Houston only ever crops up when they misquote Commander Jim Lovell from the crippled spacecraft Apollo 13 on its way to the moon (He actually said "OK Houston, we've had a problem.") and they pay little other interest to this sprawling Texan city.
Travellers who take the time to visit however find one of the most spectacular skylines in the world, two Chinatown regions, plenty of excellent galleries and museums and a nightlife that defies description.
Amongst the many attractions on offer in Houston, it is perhaps not surprising that the two most important influences are the oil and space industries, which have dominated the economy of the city for the last century.
While at the moment, Houston may not be a city that you instantly associate with sight seeing, and a sense of awe, this is all set to change, with city burghers planning to build the world's largest statue - a 555foot tall angel to be called the Spirit of Houston in the near future in order to give the city a clearer identity, and a real focus.
You can get cheap deals on flights and accommodation in Houston throughout the year, and once there, with plenty to see and do whatever your interests, Houston is a great place to visit as a part of your holiday exploring the United States of America.
Facts for the Traveller:
Name: United States of America
Capital: Washington D.C.
Area: 9.63 million Sq KM
Population: 290 million
Language: English, Spanish, Native American
Flight Time: 6-11 Hours from London
Currency: US Dollar
