Laredo, Texas

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Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, on the north bank of the Rio Grande (Río Bravo), across from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 176,576. A July 1, 2005 Census estimate raised this number to 208,754.

Laredo, one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, is the largest inland port in the United States whose international bridges cross more than half of all trade between the United States and Latin America. Much of all trade between both countries is transported through truck traffic from the World Trade Bridge and Columbia Bridge. Since the mid 1990s, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has shaped Laredo's ecomony and landscape. Dramatic increase in population, city size and economy tranformed the once sleepy town into a regional economic power. As a result, the unemployment rate, high during the 1980s, has declined sharply in the past decade. The historic downtown district is rich with Victorian-period homes and buildings. Most of this area has discount retail stores mixed with governmental offices. The El Portal project next to the International Bridge will give pedestrians a better shopping experience in downtown. Laredo's economy is direct influenced by Mexico. The value of the Mexican Peso serves as the basis for all retail and wholesale trade.

Laredo International Airport, located in east Laredo, provides daily flights to Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, and Mexico City. Air cargo activity puts the airport in top rankings with larger airports in terms of trade volume with Latin America. The airport was taken over by the city when Laredo Air Force Base closed in the early 1970's. The base closure caused a major setback in Laredo's economy, but it's strong international trade business sector created major investments in transportation facilities and infrastructure improvements; thus, making the city one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and the top city in Texas in annual job growth.

Laredo has four hospitals: Laredo Medical Center, Doctor's Hospital, Providence Surgical Center, and Laredo Specialty Hospital.

Contents

[edit] History

The town of Laredo was founded in 1755 while the area was part of a region called Nuevo Santander in the Spanish colony of New Spain. In 1840, Laredo was the capital of the independent Republic of the Rio Grande, set up in rebellion to the dictatorship of Antonio López de Santa Anna and brought back into Mexico by military force. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War the town was occupied by the Texas Rangers. After the war the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ceded the land to the United States. A referendum was taken in the town, which voted overwhelmingly to petition the American military government in charge of the area to return the town to Mexico. However, this petition was rejected, and in response the bulk of the population moved over the river into Mexican territory to found the new town of Nuevo Laredo. In 1849, the military set up Fort McIntosh (originally Camp Crawford) by the town. Laredo was rechartered as a city in 1852. Laredo is one of the oldest border crossing points along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the nation's busiest inland port[citation needed]. In 2005, Laredo celebrated the 250th anniversary of its founding.

[edit] Geography

Location of Laredo, Texas

Laredo is located at 27°31′28″N, 99°29′26″W (27.524445, -99.490593)GR1. This is 130 miles (209 km) west of Corpus Christi and 144 miles (232 km) southwest of San Antonio. Laredo is located on the west end of the Rio Grande Plains which is south of the Edwards Plateau, Coastal Plains to the east, and Mexican Mountains to the west. The area consists of a few hills and flat land covered mostly of dense brush: cacti, drawf oak, and mesquite. The location is a prime location for deer and javelina hunting for the annual Cola Blanca Contest that brings hunters from across the United States and Mexico.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 206.0 km² (79.6 mi²). 203.2 km² (78.5 mi²) of it is land and 2.8 km² (1.1 mi²) of it (1.37%) is water.

Laredo is at the southern end of Interstate 35, which spans from Duluth, Minnesota, to Laredo.

A notable geographic feature is Lake Casa Blanca in Lake Casa Blanca International State Park. The city's lake consists of 371 land acres and 1650 lake surface acres. It is located on the east part of the city in Webb County. The park was operated jointly by the City of Laredo and Webb County before it was acquired by the state in 1990 and opened in March 1991.

[edit] Climate

Laredo's weather is attributed to its location between Mexican mountains to the west and the Gulf of Mexico to the east. Much of Laredo's year-round dry and hot weather is influenced by the deserts of northern Mexico and any moisture from the Pacific is cut-off by the Mexican mountain range. While Laredo does receive moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, its geographic location causes Laredo to have extreme weather events such as long periods of heat to sudden violent storms in a short period of time. Although it is a rare event, there was actually snow on the ground for a few hours on the morning of Christmas Day 2004.

Laredo typically experiences an average high temperature of about 102.0 F (40.6 C), and an average low of about 73.9 (23.3). As Laredo constantly undergoes drought, a water conservation ordinance was implemented in 2003.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 176,576 people, 46,852 households, and 39,964 families residing in the city. The population density was 868.9/km² (2,250.5/mi²). There were 50,319 housing units at an average density of 247.6/km² (641.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.27% White, 0.37% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 13.94% from other races, and 2.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino accounts for 94.13% of the population in terms of ethnicity.

There were 46,852 households out of which 52.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.7% were non-families. 12.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.70 and the average family size was 4.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 35.5% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $9,108, and the median income for a family was $12,449. Males had a median income of $4,070 versus $1,202 for females. The per capita income for the city was $1,084. 29.6% of the population and 25.2% of families were below the poverty line. 97.7% of those under the age of 18 and 86.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Family income has steadily increased over the years. In 1970, the median family income was $4,213 and progressively increased to $18,395 by 1990. In 1995 the Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated Laredo's median family income at $24,200. According to the United States Census Bureau, at a 2000 census, Laredo is the second fastest growing city in the United States, (Las Vegas, Nevada, being the first).

[edit] People and culture

[edit] Annual festivals

The Washington's Birthday Celebration (WBCA) [1] is an almost month long held event that celebrates George Washington's Birthday. It was founded in 1898 by the Improved Order of the Red Men, local chapter Yaqui Tribe #59. It is the largest celebration of its kind in the United States with approximately 400,000 attendees annually. The first celebration was a phenomenal success and its success and popularity grew rapidly and in 1923 it received its state charter. In 1924, the Celebration featured its first Colonial Pageant, which featured thirteen young girls from Laredo, representing the thirteen original colonies. The celebration includes parades, a carnival, an air show, fireworks, live concerts and many other fun and exciting events for every member of the family. One of its main events, the Jalapeño Festival, has recently been named one of the United States' top 10 eating festivals due to its Jalapeño Eating Contest. The WBCA has become a Laredo institution, with its history closely tied to the history of the community.

Laredo Children's Museum, located on the Laredo Community College campus, provides a hands-on experience for Laredo's youth. Next to the historical La Posada Hotel in downtown Laredo, there is the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum which houses historical artifacts when Laredo served as the capital of the short-lived republic in 1840 when it separated from Texas and Mexico. For this reason, Laredo had flown seven flags instead of six like Texas. The Center for the Arts Museum, located in the former City Hall offices and is known as the Mercado, displays regional art work and provides community events for children and adults. Across the street, the former Plaza Theater is currently under consideration for renovation for a future performing arts theater. Located in east Laredo in an area what is known as the "base" or airport grounds, the Laredo Little Theater provides Laredoans with live stage performances. The theater also hosts comedians.

[edit] Nightlife

Laredo has a burgeoning nightlife scene. One area is called "The Strip", which is located on Del Mar Blvd. and has several bars/clubs. Along that area, though not necessarily part of The Strip, is a rock bar called Old No.2, which features rock bands playing. Much of the area around the Laredo Entertainment Center also has a vibrant nightlife scene. Next to the arena is Hal's Landing, a bar/restaurant/arcade that's probably the most popular in the area. Across the street is Las Cananas, an upscale nightclub that plays mainly Spanish music. Further up is Club Eros, which plays mainly hiphop music and Spanish pop.

In Downtown Laredo, Iturbide st. also has nightspots. The first one built there was Kush Lounge, a dance spot/Hookah Lounge that plays Top 40 and Hip Hop music. Across the street is Fuse, which specializes in Alternative rock music. and next to Fuse is Chelsea's (formally the international music spot Objekt).

Other nightspots in the city are FBar (which plays House music and Hip Hop) and The Cold Brew (a chilled rock bar that plays mainly classic rock.)

[edit] Famous people born in Laredo, TX

[edit] Government

Laredo's municipal government is controlled by a strong city council-weak mayor system. Although the mayor presides over the city council, he/she may only vote to break a tie. City Council elections are based on single-member districts and campaigns have no party affiliations. City elections are held in May. The city's municipal government is administered by the city manager who is hired by the city council. All city elected offices have a four-year term. City council meetings are held on Mondays and can be viewed on the public access channel.

The Current Mayor of Laredo is Raul G. Salinas. He is currently serving his term until 2010.


Interim City Manager - Cynthia Collazo

City Council:
District 1 - Mike Garza
District 2 - Hector "Tito" Garcia
District 3 - Dr. Michael Landeck
District 4 - Johnny Amaya
District 5 - Johnny Rendon
District 6 - Gene Belmares
District 7 - Juan Chavez
District 8 - Juan Ramirez

[edit] Sports

Laredo is home to the Laredo Bucks hockey team, which play at the Laredo Entertainment Center. The Laredo Bucks are part of the Southeast Division of the Central Hockey League and were inaugurated in the 2002-2003 season.

The Bucks were awarded Franchise of the Year in their first year of operation. The Laredo Bucks are the 2003-2004 and the 2005-2006 Central Hockey League President's Cup Champions as well as the 2003-04 Governors’ Cup Regular Season Champions. They have made the playoffs since the first year in play and have gone to the finals the past three years, winning 2/3. They have also been the Southeast Division Champions the last 3 years.

The LEC is also host to the Laredo Lobos, an Af2 team. As well, the Laredo Broncos have brought back professional baseball to Laredo, playing its home games at Veterans Field, while its new state of the art baseball complex is built. The Laredo Heat Soccer Team, is heating up South Texas. The Lobos, Broncos, and Heat are participating in their first official year of action.

Shirley Field, located next to the Civic Center on San Bernardo Ave, is the location for outdoor athletics for Laredo Independent School District and also hosts the annual Border Olympics events. United Independent School District utilizes the Student Activity Center or SAC for it's students. It contains the city's only artificial grass stadium and a baseball field.

[edit] Sister cities

[edit] Education

[edit] Colleges and Universities

  • University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio- Laredo Branch Extenstion

[edit] Area School Districts

Laredo Independent School District [2]

High Schools: Cigarroa, Martin, Nixon

United Independent School District [3] High Schools: Alexander, Johnson, United, United South

San Augustine High School - Private (Catholic)

[edit] Newspapers & Media

[edit] External links

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