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==Economy==
==Economy==
The Valley is reliant on [[Agribusiness]] and [[Tourism]]. [[Cotton]], [[Sorghum|various sorghums]], [[Corn]], and [[sugarcane]] are its leading crops, and the region is the center of citrus production and the most important area of vegetable production in the State of Texas. Over the last several decades, the emergence of [[maquiladoras]] (factories or fabrication plants) has caused a surge of industrial development along the border, while International bridges have allowed Mexican nationals to shop, sell and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande River. The geographic inclusion of [[South Padre Island]] also drives tourism, particularly during the [[Spring Break]] season, during which SPI becomes reminisent of [[New Orleans]] during [[Mardi Gras]].
The Valley is reliant on [[Agribusiness]] and [[Tourism]]. [[Cotton]], [[Sorghum|various sorghums]], [[Maiz]], and [[sugarcane]] are its leading crops, and the region is the center of citrus production and the most important area of vegetable production in the State of Texas. Over the last several decades, the emergence of [[maquiladoras]] (factories or fabrication plants) has caused a surge of industrial development along the border, while International bridges have allowed Mexican nationals to shop, sell and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande River. The geographic inclusion of [[South Padre Island]] also drives tourism, particularly during the [[Spring Break]] season, during which SPI becomes reminisent of [[New Orleans]] during [[Mardi Gras]].


According to the 1990 census figures, which under-reported the illegal immigrants in the region, just under 82 percent of Cameron County, over 85 percent of Hidalgo County, over 97 percent of Starr County, and over 84 percent of Willacy County were Hispanic.
According to the 1990 census figures, which under-reported the illegal immigrants in the region, just under 82 percent of Cameron County, over 85 percent of Hidalgo County, over 97 percent of Starr County, and over 84 percent of Willacy County were Hispanic.

Revision as of 01:15, 20 August 2007

The Rio Grande Valley is an area located in the southernmost tip of Texas. It lies along the northern bank of the Rio Grande, which separates Mexico from the United States.

The Rio Grande Valley is not a valley, but a delta or floodplain. Early settlers from Mexico felt that the term "Valley" sounded more inviting to tourists and northern investors than did "Delta." The Rio Grande Valley is also called "El Valle", the Spanish translation of "the valley", by those who live there.

The region is made up of four counties: Starr County, Hidalgo County, Willacy County, and Cameron County.

Its largest cities are Brownsville, Texas and McAllen, Texas. Other major cities include Harlingen, Edinburg, Weslaco, and Mission.

Cities and Counties

Cameron County, Texas

Hidalgo County, Texas


Willacy County, Texas


Starr County, Texas

Tourism

The Valley encompasses several landmarks that attract tourists, and is primarily known for South Padre Island. Other popular destinations in include Point Isabel Lighthouse, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. The Valley is a popular waypoint for tourists seeking to visit Mexico. Popular destinations across the border include: Matamoros, Nuevo Progresso and Rancho Las Flores, Rio Bravo, and Reynosa, all located in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The Valley also attracts large quantities of lucrative tourists from the Mexican states of Nuevo Leon, Districto Federal, and Tamaulipas.

People of historical interest

The last battle of The Civil War, the Brownsville Raid and the construction of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle all took place in The Rio Grande Valley.

A list of notable people who were born, lived, or died in the Rio Grande Valley includes:

Places of Historical Interest

The First Lift Station in Mission, Texas once provided water for irrigating the crops of the early Rio Grande Valley.
  • Rancho de Carricitos

Economy

The Valley is reliant on Agribusiness and Tourism. Cotton, various sorghums, Maiz, and sugarcane are its leading crops, and the region is the center of citrus production and the most important area of vegetable production in the State of Texas. Over the last several decades, the emergence of maquiladoras (factories or fabrication plants) has caused a surge of industrial development along the border, while International bridges have allowed Mexican nationals to shop, sell and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande River. The geographic inclusion of South Padre Island also drives tourism, particularly during the Spring Break season, during which SPI becomes reminisent of New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

According to the 1990 census figures, which under-reported the illegal immigrants in the region, just under 82 percent of Cameron County, over 85 percent of Hidalgo County, over 97 percent of Starr County, and over 84 percent of Willacy County were Hispanic.

The Valley is a popular Winter tourist destination for residents from the Midwest United States and Canada (called Winter Texans). Along with Mexican nationals and thousands of college students who visit South Padre Island throughout March and April, Winter Texans are the bulk of the Valley's tourism. Winter Texans typically arrive in October-November and stay until February-March, causing a seasonal swell for local businesses.

To the delight of birders globally, the Valley is also the only region in the United States where certain varieties of endangered and migratory birds can be observed; and is also in the path taken by the migratory Monarch Butterfly as it transits to and from the Mexican state of Michoacan.

Education

Media

Newspapers

Television

Radio

  • KGBT-FM 98.5 FM (Regional Mexican) Univision
  • KBTQ 96.1 Recuerdo (Spanish Oldies)Univision
  • KGBT 1530 La Tremenda (Univision)
  • KKPS Local Tejano Music Que Pasa 99.5 Official Site
  • KBFM Wild 104, formerly B-104 (Hip Hop/Top 40)
  • KIWW (Spanish)
  • KMBH/KHID 88.9/88.1 NPR (Classical/Public Radio)
  • KTEX 100.3 (Country)
  • KNVO Romantica 101.1 Official Site
  • KQXX 105.5 (Oldies)
  • KVLY Mix 107.9 (Adult Contemporary)Official Site
  • KFRQ The Q 94.5 (Classic/Modern/Hard Rock)Official Site
  • KHKZ Hot Kiss 106.3 (Popular Adult Contemporary)
  • KESO Digital 92.7 (Internacional, Spanish Top 40)
  • KIRT 1580 AM Radio Imagen (Variety, Spanish contemporary)
  • KURV 710 AM Heritage Talk Radio (part of the BMP family of stations)

Webcams

  • Borderfest Borderfest Historical data and info site.
  • RGV Pride Information about people, places, and events in the Rio Grande Valley.
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