How Big is Houston? Bigger Than Your Ex's Ego, That's for Sure
Ever looked at a map of Texas and wondered, "Dang, that's a big state! But how big is Houston exactly?" Well, buckle up, partner, because we're about to dive into the fascinating (and slightly ridiculous) world of Houston's square mileage.
Spoiler Alert: It's Big. Like, Really Big.
There seems to be a bit of a debate about Houston's exact size, depending on who you ask and what they've been smokin' on. Here's the lowdown on the different numbers you might find floating around:
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The "Official" Size: This one comes straight from the city itself, clocking in at a respectable 637.4 square miles. That's a whole lotta land, folks. To put it in perspective, you could fit all of New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Miami inside Houston, with room to spare for a rodeo or two.
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The "We've Been Annexing Like There's No Tomorrow" Size: If you listen to some folks, Houston's been on a land-grabbing spree, pushing the city limits further and further out. These reports claim a whopping 665 square miles for H-Town. That's bigger than the state of Rhode Island! Maybe they're just trying to impress everyone with their sprawl, or maybe they're just really into keeping up with the Joneses (Dallas, we're lookin' at you).
So, Which Number is Right?
Honestly, it depends on how you define "Houston." The city limits themselves might be one size, but the greater Houston metropolitan area, which includes all the suburbs and sprawl, is a whole different beast.
Here's the important takeaway: Houston is big. Really big. Whether it's 637 or 665 square miles, that's a lot of space to get lost in (or find some amazing Tex-Mex).
Fun Facts About Houston's Size:
- You could get lost wandering around Houston for days (and let's be honest, with that humidity, you might not even mind).
- If Houston were a country, it would be roughly the size of Montenegro. Montenegro might not be on your top 10 vacation destinations, but hey, at least it has beaches! (Houston, not so much).
- Astros fans can take comfort in knowing that their team represents a city-sized territory. Now that's some serious home-field advantage!
So next time you're in Houston, take a moment to appreciate the sheer scale of the place. It's a city that's constantly growing, just like its ego (and maybe its waistline, thanks to all those delicious tacos). Just remember, no matter how big Houston gets, there's always room for one more Whataburger.
