El Paso : Texas

El Paso is in the western part of Texas resides in the Chihuahuan Desert at the confluence of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. Franklin Mountains and Rio Grande form a beautiful backdrop to the city. The city has been named after the pass El Paso del Norte which was a key trading route across the Americas for centuries. It was only after the Mexican-American War of 1846 that this land became a permanent part of the US.  Majority of the population speak both Spanish and English. El Paso attracts new residents with its favorable weather, tax rates, comparably low cost of living, and multiple educational opportunities. It is home to the United States Army Air Defense Center, Fort Bliss. The fourth (in 2005) largest city in Texas, El Paso is the 22nd largest city in the U.S. and the country's third fastest-growing metropolitan area.

El Paso receives only 8 inches of precipitation per year with a summer high of 95 degrees and mild winter temperatures. El Paso residents enjoy sun about 300 days of the year.

Area: 249 square miles (2000)

Elevation: Average 3,762 feet above sea level

Latitude: 31.79 N

Longitude: 106.42 W

Average Temperatures: January, 42.8° F; July, 82.3° F; annual average, 63.3° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 8.81 inches

Population: 598,590 as on 2005

Attractions

    * El Paso Zoo
    * Magoffin Home State Historic Site
    * Chamizal National Memorial
    * Museum of Art
    * El Paso Museum of History
    * Insights Science Museum
    * El Paso Museum of Art
    * Fort Bliss Museum
    * Museum of Archaeology

Festivals

    * El Paso Chamber Music Festival
    * El Paso's Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall
    * Southwest International Livestock Show and Rodeo
    * Chamizal National Memorial Theatre
    * Siglo de Oro Drama Festival
    * KLAQ Balloon Festival
    * Wet & Wild Waterworld
    * Downtown Street Festival
    * Chamizal Festival
    * Fiesta de las Flores
    * Ruisidoso Art Festival