Fort Worth, with an estimated 624,067 citizens, is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the 19th-largest in the U.S. Situated in North Texas and part of the American Southwest, the city covers almost 300 square miles and is the county seat of Tarrant County. The city is also the second-largest cultural and economic center of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. with a population of 6 million people within 12 counties.
Fort Worth has a rich and celebrated heritage. Founded as a military camp to protect 19th century settlers from Indian attacks in 1849 and named after General William Jenkins Worth, the city is today portrayed as more old fashioned and laid back than neighboring Dallas. Fort Worth celebrates its colorful Western heritage and is known as "Cowtown" due to its roots as a cattle-drive convergence point. When oil was discovered in West Texas, Fort Worth became a center for oil trading.
Sites of interest in the area include Sundance Square, which was named after the infamous Sundance Kid; Fort Worth Water Gardens; Fort Worth Convention Center, and the Bass Performance Hall - the permanent home to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera, and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Cliburn Concerts. The Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District is a great place to experience a taste of the Old West with daily longhorn cattle drives through the streets, other historic reenactments, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and Billy Bob's- the world's largest country and western music venue. Historical and cultural attractions in the city include The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, The Kimbell Art Museum, The Amon Carter Museum, The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, the Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth Zoo, and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.
The area's economy is fueled by the presence of AMR Corporation (American Airlines), D.R. Horton Homes, Carter & Burgess, Inc., Radio Shack, Bombay Company, Pier One Imports, BNSF Railway, and the Acme Brick. Colleges and universities in the area include University of North Texas Health Science Center, University of Texas at Arlington- Fort Worth campus, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, Brite Divinity School, and Texas Christian University.
