Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States.

In 2011, Fast Company named Houston the city of the year for its diversity, leadership, friendliness and its explification of the magazine's focus on entrepreneurship, ethical business models and potential growth.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers ranks Houston number 1 for cost competitiveness and number 11 overall in its Cities of Opportunity study.

Bloomberg Businessweek named Houston the top city for new college graduates and Forbes says it’s the best city for young professionals and number 3 for job growth.

In 2008, Kiplinger's named Houston the best city in which to live, work, and play, and Forbes named Houston the best city for college graduates.

Houston is headquarters for 22 Fortune 500 companies — more than any other city except New York.

Houston is the home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world.

Houston has more than 5000 energy-related firms, making it the energy capital of the world.

Houston is ranked #5 in the country for financial services.

Houston has more than 500 cultural, visual and performing arts organizations, 90 of which are devoted to multicultural and minority arts.

Houston is one of five cities in the United States with resident professional companies in the four disciplines of the performing arts — ballet, opera, symphony and theater.