Austin is the state capital and the epicenter of music. Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is located in south central Texas, where the Colorado River crosses the Balcones Escarpment, separating the Texas Hill Country from the black-land prairies to the east. Austin strikes a perfect balance between nature, education, the arts, and commerce. Austin is one of the main centers of business and culture. It is known for its high quality of life, easy living and excellent health care facilities.

Austin enjoys subtropical climate with an average of 300 days of sunshine every year. Winters are mild, with only occasional brief cold spells. Most precipitation falls in the form of rain in late spring and early fall with very little snow.

Area: 258.43 square miles (2000)

Elevation: Ranges from 425 feet at lakeside to 1,000 feet in the northwest city hills

Latitude: 30.30 N

Longitude: 97.75 W

Average temperatures: January, 50.1° F; July, 84.3° F; annual average, 68.6° F.

Average Annual Precipitation: 31.35 inches

Population: 690,252 as on 2005

Attractions

• Texas State Capitol
• Greek Revival Governor's Mansio
• State Cemetery
• Umlauf Sculpture Gardens
• Zilker Park
• McKinney Falls State Park

Festivals

• South by Southwest (SXSW) music, film, and media festival
• Old Settler's Music Festival
• Austin International Poetry Festival
• Austin Fine Arts Festival
• Carnival Brasiliero
• Austin City Limits Music Festival
• Cinco de Mayo
• Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo