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The lower third of Texas between San Antonio and the Rio Grande offers the sight that the traveler associates with the southwestern United States. Here the heritage of the Native Americans, the Spanish, Mexican and Texan settlers is still noticeable. The city of San Antonio has about 1.3 million inhabitants, making it the second largest city in Texas after Houston. The city was founded in 1718 and is particularly influenced by Spanish, Mexican, British and German influences. The city was named after Saint Anthony of Padua.
San Antonio played an important role in the Texans’ War of Independence against Mexico. Especially the Fort Alamo (The Alamo) had an important role here and can still be visited today as an important historical site. Today it is the economic center in the south of Texas. The University of Texas at San Antonio (the second largest university in the University of Texas area) is also located here. In addition, there are some significant military facilities.
Where in USA is San Antonio?
The Franciscan monks who arrived from Spain in the 18th century built long-lived mission stations of stone, in which they wanted to Christianize the natives. In some cases, the missions also served as fortresses, such as the famous example of The Alamo. With the acquisition of the Spanish North American possessions by Mexico, San Antonio became the capital of the province of Texas in 1821.
After the annexation of Texas to the American Union in 1845 and the end of the Civil War in 1865, San Antonio grew very rapidly. When the railroad finally connected the city with other business centers of the USA in 1877, San Antonio became a center of the meat processing industry. The city became a multi-ethnic melting pot with a strong German component.
Due to its long and eventful history and its scenic charms, San Antonio is one of the highlights of Texas. The former Comanche settlement, idyllically situated by a river, attracted the attention of the Spanish missionaries early on. Finally, they founded the Mission San Antonio de Valero in 1718 – it was named after St. Anthony of Padua.
Soon after, the place, which was eventually renamed the Alamo, became significant as a military outpost. Fort Alamo was the scene of a significant episode of the Texas War of Independence. “Don’t forget Alamo!”, was the battle cry of the Texans in the Liberation War against Mexico (1835/36). Even today, the 189 Americans who lost their lives in the bloody siege are remembered. Shortly after the end of the siege, the Republic of Texas was finally established.
Is San Antonio in Texas or California?
Is San Antonio in Texas or Mexico?
Why San Antonio is famous?
