The capital of the state of Texas, United States. Austin is the 4th largest city in Texas. It is located in the center of the state and along the eastern edge of the American Southwest.

Austin was settled by pioneers in the 1830’s. The city was named after “the father of Texas”, Stephen F. Austin. Growth in the early 19th century stalled during the Great Depression and resumed once more in the 1980’s. It is now home to many high-tech companies, including several Fortune 500’s.

According to the 2010 Census, Austin has a population of 790,390 inhabitants with 1,716,291 residing in the metropolitan area. The people who live in the area are often referred to as “Austinites”. Austinites represent a diverse mix of domestic and international students, government employees, musicians, high-tech workers and blue-collar workers. Nielsen Company recently reported that adults in Austin read and contribute to blogs more than those in any other U.S. metro area.

Austin has been deemed “The Live Music Capital of the World” due to its thriving music industry. It has also been recognized for its allegiance to local independence. Annual cultural events, including Austin City Limits Music Festival, draw tourists from the United States and beyond.