San Antonio (city, Texas) - geography.

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Mary's University of San Antonio (1852), Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio (1895), University of the Incarnate Word (1881), and Trinity University(1869). A leading cultural attraction is the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Housed in a renovated historic brewery from the late 19th century, the museum focuses particular attentionon art of the Americas, from pre-Columbian to contemporary works.

The Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum displays works by some of the finest painters of thepostimpressionism style, while the Witte Museum features hands-on exhibits of Texas history, natural science, and anthropology.

The Institute of Texan Cultures, part of theUniversity of Texas at San Antonio, explores the contributions of 28 different ethnic groups toward the settlement of the state.

The San Antonio Symphony plays in therestored Majestic Theater. V RECREATION Candlelight ProcessionResidents of San Antonio, Texas, celebrate Christmas in a candlelight procession along the Paséo del Rio, a popular walkway thatfollows the San Antonio River through downtown.Bruce Roberts/Photo Researchers, Inc. Rides on a historic carousel, an aerial tram, a model train, and horses are all available at Brackenridge Park, San Antonio’s leading recreational facility.

Inside the park is theJapanese Tea Gardens, with winding walkways, stone bridges, and calm pools in what was once a rock quarry.

The San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium, also inthe park, is one of the nation’s largest zoos, with more than 700 species on display.

The San Antonio Biological Gardens and Conservatory is a 13-hectare (33-acre)horticultural facility that specializes in Texas flora. The SBC Center is the home venue for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the San Antonio Silver Stars of the Women's NationalBasketball Association (WNBA).

The dome also serves as the site for the Alamo Bowl, an annual post-season college football game.

Large themed amusement parks in theSan Antonio area are Fiesta Texas and Sea World of Texas. San Antonio River WalkThe San Antonio River meanders through the center of San Antonio, Texas.

The scenic River Walk—an area of shops, restaurants, andbistros—borders the river, 6 m (20 ft) below street level.Walter Bibikow/JAI/Corbis San Antonio’s major annual event is the Fiesta, a ten-day celebration in late April with carnivals, ethnic feasts, art exhibits, and numerous parades.

The Texas FolklifeFestival is in August, and the annual San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo in February.

During the Christmas season the city celebrates by illuminating trees and bridgeswith thousands of lights and participating in a floating parade in which Santa Claus arrives by river. VI ECONOMY San Antonio by 2000 had become the ninth largest city in the United States.

Its economy historically was based on providing commercial, manufacturing, and financialservices for an agricultural area extending to the south and west of the city.

With plentiful attractions and pleasant weather when much of the nation is experiencing coldwinter weather, San Antonio has also become a frequent convention host and tourist destination.

Manufactures include refined petroleum, processed food, apparel,microprocessors and semiconductors, agricultural equipment, aerospace equipment, and eyewear.

San Antonio has also relied economically on a strong military presence.Located near the city are Fort Sam Houston, the headquarters of the Fifth Army and home to the huge Brooke Army Medical Center; Randolph Air Force Base, headquartersof the Air Education and Training Command; Brooks Air Force Base, home to the School of Aerospace Medicine; and Lackland Air Force Base, a major training center forrecruits.

In 1995 a federal commission voted to close Kelly Air Force Base, home to the San Antonio Air Logistics Center and a major employer in the city. While national reductions in the size of the military during the 1990s damaged the city’s economy, during the same period the tourist industry increased in importance.

Thehealth service sector also grew, as San Antonio emerged as the center for health care for the Río Grande Valley and northern Mexico.

Biosciences-related research, as wellas applied engineering and physical sciences research and development, is being carried out in San Antonio at the Southwest Research Institute and the Texas ResearchPark.

A major spur to the economy has been the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which allows the area to draw upon its historic links to Mexico and to. »