Austin,
located in central Texas, is the State Capital. The city is
located on terraced bluffs along a bend in the Colorado River,
about 160 miles west of Houston in Travis County.
Austin became
the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1839, then became the
state capital when Texas joined the Union in 1845. The writer
O. Henry was an Austin resident; the city formed a backdrop
for many of his stories.
As well
as being a transshipment point for a large agricultural area,
Austin enjoys a technology-oriented economy based on electronics
and semiconductors, computers and peripherals, and software.
The University of Texas has a campus in Austin. The city reflects
its Hispanic and African-American heritage in food and music.
In addition, listeners from all over tune in to Austin City
Limits, PBS's country-western show. Austin is one of a few U.S.
cities with professional ballet, symphony, opera and theater
companies.
