known region surrounds galveston bay estuary united_states houston woodlands sugar land metropolitan area normally term refers mainland communities bay galveston houston originally pirate kingdom area played role early history texas having site early rebellions mexican rule site victory texas army mexican army texas revolution interests early economic drivers bay nearby cities galveston houston developed commercial centers communities principal commercial corridor cities location nasa houses mission control center city houston official nickname derived addition large tourist attraction area visitors space center houston landscape bay features mix swamps beaches industrial facilities tourist attractions historic sites area developing population diverse growing international community communities host cultural events ranging ballet musical theater bay supports commercial fishing industry features highest concentrations nation land area holds numerous historic sites parks nature preserves boundaries shores galveston bay home different municipalities communities region larger houston sugar land metropolitan area term sense refers communities near shoreline sources use limited definitions referring specifically clusters communities nearest houston municipalities following communities lie shores proper main components complex excluding gulf_of_mexico morgan point clear lake area chamber commerce include following additional communities membership clear lake houston includes clear taylor lake village additional communities adjacent treated communities sources subdivisions sub divided based histories economic connections different communities area including world wars defined heavy industry shores towns distinct histories having tied oil industry earlier having longer history tied agriculture came dominate modern times fortunes closely tied heavy industry clear lake area includes numerous communities municipalities surrounding houston bay area largely owes recent growth prosperity directly indirectly traditionally characterized large white collar workforce prolific upper middle class neighborhoods area seen heart spite relative youth history area includes surrounding communities recently area galveston treated federal government metro area distinct houston area prosperity revolves great degree port heavy industry region encompasses shoreline northeast bay complex area includes largest community area remains semi rural oriented agriculture commercial fishing petroleum chemical processing significant industries urban development limited giving area small town rural atmosphere area history somewhat distinct areas bay crucial commercial corridor galveston houston history spain mexico prior european settlement area galveston bay settled tribes lived gulf_coast region spanish explorers expedition charted bay gave pirate established settlement soon succeeded pirate transformed galveston bay pirate kingdom establishing bases hide outs locations clear lake united_states_navy ousted colony largely abandoned following declaration independence spain new nation mexico moved northern territory texas offering land grants settlers mexico nearby united_states small settlements gradually established bay mexican authorities created customs garrison post commanded conflicts settlers region led prelude larger texas rebellion come following coup mexican government freedoms previously enjoyed revoked causing texas revolt declare independence number battles texas army leadership general finally defeated near modern new grew rapidly shores bay initially home farms famed new communities modern established annexation texas succeeded bid join united_states helped launch texas annexation brought people texas interests bay began grow 19th century galveston remained texas dominant metropolis communities bay strongly tied economically culturally city houston began develop ties construction galveston houston spurred growth area american civil war texas united_states area served limited role conflict new fortifications like fort chambers near constructed ward mainland invasion union forces protect supply routes galveston sat middle conflict important battles texas occurred galveston conflict moving area houston galveston fall aftermath war texas economy declined period interests major economic drivers area spawning economic enterprises hide processing plants shipping concerns success enterprises growth galveston prime commercial centers south southwest helped promote construction gulf colorado houston northern railroad area course 19th century railroads running southwest shore bay spawn new communities later new communities develop initially stop points travelers rail lines end century declined communities turned increasingly agriculture farming community established time galveston hurricane devastated city galveston heavily damaged communities bay according estimates death toll high bridges galveston mainland destroyed communities shoreline declined time economic growth moved inland houston dominant economic center region region received population boost galveston refugees relocated mainland following 20th century sparsely populated transformed 20th century following hurricane donations newly established red_cross helped revive area farming communities newly established community opened port railroad junctions shipping cotton grain commercial fishing particularly shrimp grew significant area industry early 1900s discovered launching oil boom galveston bay creek acquired offshore oil drilling site state soon opened largest houston area wealth brought boom transformed region population manufacturing expanded rapidly tourism resort communities developed bay shoreline communities morgan point world wars created new manufacturing opportunities factories bay area population grew faster houston air force base built major air field flight training center wars war area economic brought war effort helped transition peacetime economy nasa established helping spur explosive growth mid-20th century especially 1970s 1980s remainder communities southwestern shore development connected area houston tourism recreation emerged particularly area nearby shoreline struck causing substantial damage environmentally economically destructive event proposal build system protect bay discussion geography located gulf coastal plain vegetation classified temperate grassland marshes municipalities built reclaimed marshes swamps visible undeveloped areas local terrain proximity bay gulf flooding recurring problem area region relied needs land forced region turn ground level water sources geology land beneath consists layers sand clay great depths layers created river borne sediments gradually incorporated plant animal matter creating petroleum deposits gulf_coast known region numerous faults considered active produced significant earthquakes recorded history faults tend smooth rate termed fault reduces risk earthquake bay coastline estuary bay composed major sub bays proper smaller bays lakes connecting complex waterways include bay clear lake moses lake shallow average depth feet fed numerous local incoming tides gulf_of_mexico unique complex mixing waters different sources supports types marine life including crabs shrimp varieties fish supporting substantial fishing industry additionally system rivers marshes ring ecosystems allowing diverse wildlife enabling freshwater farming areas near bay shore fact higher diversity habitats nearby gulf_coast bay receives fourth highest level toxic chemicals state industrial discharge addition washing major industrial complexes bay contribute substantially bay pollution result storm run commercial agricultural residential sources recent decades conservation efforts enacted improved water quality bay climate climate classified humid subtropical climate classification system spring thunderstorms create extent found tornado alley prevailing winds south southeast bring heat mexico moisture gulf_of_mexico summer temperatures regularly exceed area proximity bay winds generates moderate area temperatures ease effects humidity creating pleasant climate inland communities like houston average july high mph winds mph winds houston winters area temperate typical january highs lows near snowfall rare annual rainfall averages range inches depending community excessive levels occur industrial activities nearby houston ranked cities united_states industries located ship channel bay major cause pollution hurricanes substantial concern fall season provide faces danger houston inland communities particularly storm surge economy diverse economy built high tech industries region economy closely tied rest houston area mix local businesses somewhat unique median household income area compared houston area texas overview major employment sectors chemical processing high tech software electronics etc tourism employment region supported industries smaller independent industries exist widespread economic activities area revolve petroleum largely centered industries houston account nearly half manufacturing approximately petroleum capacity home largest complexes area majority processing capacity nasa important pillar economy businesses core include broad range high tech development enterprises engineering software electronics tourism industry attracts millions visitors year attractions ranging space center houston bay particular growing sector destinations employs nearly workers area smaller growing industry area enabled large houston commercial fishing older industries region significant economic sector outlying areas bay remain semi rural cattle agriculture remain staples local economies shrimp fishing farming economic major economic include following industrial district large complex chemical processing facilities comprising companies business impact million central facility nasa site manages billion annually contracts numerous private companies involved space programs related ventures gives highest concentrations businesses expertise nation additionally research helped create growing industry area area home houston galveston area jobs world largest industrial complexes complex largest employer largest area located site largest united_states capable processing barrels oil day industrial complex complex includes texas city state second largest shipping terminal largest operated port houston authority handles excess million tons cargo annually airport mixed use military civilian airport houston airport system home airfield traditionally major contributor local economy government scaled base military role years demographics home diverse set communities demographic distribution varies greatly individual communities based data available area demographic statistics follows table details total population approximately median household income white population african american population asian population populous community region houston larger city portion region smaller far highest median household income lowest largest african american populations houston largest asian populations education colleges universities contains institutions higher education largest clear lake located adjacent separate distinct larger university offers wide spectrum programs including complete graduate programs state schools texas handful nation provides training students state community colleges serve communities area including college mainland primary secondary schools covers multiple municipalities multiple school districts communities served nearby areas served communities area served deer park area served area served communities near served districts excluding total primary secondary schools clear creek evaluated recognized districts second highest ranking tea evaluated academically acceptable exception evaluated academically unacceptable schools ranked highest ranking ranked recognized ranked academically acceptable ranked academically unacceptable rated tea notably schools clear creek schools highest districts overall schools rated schools districts compared entire state transportation coordinates planning transportation needs collaborative efforts local communities helped push forward development regional infrastructure ground transportation interstate freeways act linear connecting communities ship channel freeways region provide access centers heavy industry region communities relies surface highways interstate major freeway core areas linking houston galveston highway coastal highway linking communities gulf freeway main linking communities highway highway important fred bridge highway crosses ship channel connecting galveston causeway gulf freeway crosses bay connecting outlying north interstate links communities nearby connecting houston rest highway provides access houston metro bus system provides service southeast houston connecting communities central houston remaining communities communities served mass transit bus lines provides service cities nationwide stations air travel nearest airport providing regular domestic service southeast houston near provides service destinations international service provided north houston branch houston airport system mixed use airport acts airport hobby addition use nasa military public aviation system performed significant expansion airport recent years expecting significant growth usage coming years near provide public air access respective communities shipping shipping administered port houston authority port major freight shipping points railway shipping station station station major access points healthcare medicine collaboration health care providers coordinating health care services west bay communities galveston network include clear area galveston numerous health care facilities exist region notable facilities outside area covered include culture racially diverse region industrial centers particular large international communities events celebrate area diversity annual events place festival celebrates role iconic fruit played rescuing town economy following hurricane blessing fleet boat parade annual event celebrates history shrimp fishing town annually showcases independent films local regional international artists categories ranging short films documentaries annual events include wings field festival oak tree festival annual celebrates semi rural culture course spirit state area belongs annual features traditional events area spectators arts theatre substantial community artists artistic programs houston ballet theatre group league city ballet offer performances genres ranging ballet american musicals clear lake symphony offer multiple performances year ranging classical pops performances arts theatre programs exist area clear lake group area arts organizations regularly schedules arts exhibits musical performances arts programs community theater groups offer variety regularly scheduled performances regular free concerts cultural events place venues league park plaza parks landmarks contains parks landmarks oldest landmarks marks site battle san holds nearby governor residence edge texas largest urban wilderness preserve nation features marshes numerous nature trails boat tours offering views natural habitats animals ranging butterflies located ship channel texas city prairie preserve located bay largely undeveloped nature preserves views wetlands coastal wildlife addition variety park facilities includes parks offers primitive access natural habitats numerous species sites larger core northeast bay sits acre km2 federal nature preserve coastal habitats park offer opportunities viewing species ranging american bird species duck yellow rail major area parks include clear creek nature park urban attractions space center houston tourist arm visited tourist attractions texas visitors tour space center grounds view space artifacts find numerous educational activities including theater waterfront attraction featuring variety rides restaurants shops entertainment venues hosts annual events offers indoor outdoor educational exhibits featuring wetlands wildlife habitats exhibits range science site includes hiking trails primitive habitats museums area include west farmers markets area including provide opportunities area residents connect local producers businesses historic districts creek historic district morgan league city historic district available providing views early area architecture addition unique shopping venues area contains boating fishing enthusiasts clear lake shores shoreline greatest concentration recreational boats texas ranks nationwide claims nation largest sports area minor league baseball team play home games robinson stadium minor league basketball team plays home games high school houston park holds regular drag racing events year park seating capacity holds regular events bay bay cup performance cup season events year offering entertainment spectators stadium complex offering dog racing exhibitions park largest kind features state largest restaurant amenities media major daily newspapers serving area include sun houston_chronicle smaller local newspapers serving communities available including deer park progress online publications providing area interest stories information area receives radio stations including licensed area country gospel spanish religious television stations received area stations licensed area include spanish language
Galveston Bay Area