RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS

Brownsville, Texas is Texas' southernmost city, international seaport, airport and railroad interchange point on the Mexican border. Area dates from the colonial days of Imperial Spain, covering periods of exploration, wars, revolutions, and colorful, although infamous, banditry. The city began in 1846 when General Zachary Taylor established Fort Brown to confirm Rio Grande as a national boundary after the Republic of Texas became US State. Regrettably, hat very incident touched off the U.S. Mexican War, 1846 - 48. Several existing buildings of Fort Brown are now part of Texas Southmost Jr. College. Another institution of higher learning on the campus is the University of Texas at Brownsville. Brownsviille is the Rio Grande Valley's largest city whose industries include electronics, food processing and petrochemicals. Vacationers are attracted by subtropical climate, proximity to Mexico, excellent golf courses, and access to South Padre Island.

Mcallen, Texas is in Texas' lush lower Rio Grande Valley, noted for subtropical climate, access to Old Mexico and tourist facilities catering to thousands of summer and winter visitors. many Midwesterners and Canadians spend the entire winter here, strolling in slacks and sport shirts amid blossoming citrus groves. Tourist club caters to visitors with ;planned daily activities such as dances, tours, bridge, domino and shuffleboard tournaments, shows, and concerts. Economy based on tourists, citrus, vegetables, oil, gas, international trade with Mexico and conventions that enjoy extensive facilities.

Port Isabel, Texas is a small, picturesque village on Laguna Madre, the body of water between the Texas Mainland and Padre Island. named for Spanish Queen Isabella who financed Columbus's voyage. Seaside atmosphere with accommodations, RV parks, shrimp boat fleet. Was supply base for Gen. Zachary Taylor's army in Brownsville during the Mexican War form 1846 - 49, port saw flow of gold seekers from the East, landing here to begin overland trek to California.

South Padre Island, Texas was incorporated in 1973, small resort town is on southern tip of storied Padre Island just across Laguna Madre, the bay separating island from mainland. Access via free causeway on Park Road 100. Visitors find wide range of accommodations from campgrounds and family motels to high-rise luxury hotels and condo rentals, marinas and seaside cottages. Restaurants feature fresh seafood harvested daily from the Gulf. South Padre is known for its water sports, including jet skiing; bay, surf, and deep-sea fishing; parasailing, sailing, and windsurfing. Other island activities include bicycling, tennis, shelling, and horseback riding on the beach.