Overview Austin is the capital of Texas, the second most populous state in the nation. With more than one million people, the Austin metropolitan area serves as a center for academic, political, research and technological activities. Sparkling lakes and dramatic terrain make Austin an oasis for sports and recreation. The University of Texas at Austin and its 52,000 students influence the character of the community toward education and achievement. Location Austin is located in Central Texas along the Colorado River. Highways serving Austin include Interstate 35, U.S. Highway 290, U.S. Highway 183, MoPac Expressway(Loop 1) and Texas Highway 71. Altitude ranges from 425 feet at lakeside to 1,000 feet in the northwest hills. Austin lies in one of three geologically stable areas in the U.S. The inactive Balcones Escarpment extends through Austin, creating the dramatic hills and environmental features which characterize the area. A series of dams on the river has created seven lakes that reach from the Austin city limits to a point 150 miles upstream. Lake Travis lies on Austin's western edge; Lake Austin and Town Lake are situated in the heart of the city dividing north and south. Area The Metropolitan Area consists of Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop and Caldwell counties. The Austin region thrives a balance of technology, business services, education and government. Nearly 1.4 million residents, almost half between ages of 18 to 44, have a median age four years younger than the national median. Ranked fourth among Travel & Leisure Magazine and America Online's Most Love Cities, Austin is a young, creative, culturally rich community set among the lush hills, lakes and rivers of the Texas hill country. Climate Austin has a temperate climate, with 300 days of sunshine annually. Average temperatures range from 42° to 62° in the winter and 75° to 95° in the summer. Average annual rainfall is 34.72 inches. ________________________________________________________________________________________ |