• Corpus Christi is the 8th largest city in Texas with an estimated population of 277,454.

• Corpus Christi covers 452.2 square miles, of which 124.3 are land and 327.9 are water.

• The average high temperature in July and August is 93 degrees.

• The average high temperature in January is 65 degrees.

• Approximately 5 million people visit the Corpus Christi MSA every year.

• About 74 percent of area visitors are from Texas.

• Tourism generates an annual economic impact of $1 billion for the Corpus Christi region.

• In 2003 and 2004, Coprus Christi was declared the “Birdiest City” in the nation with more individual species counted than any other city.

• More than one of every 10 non-agricultural jobs in the Corpus Christi MSA is related to the travel and tourism industry.

• According to the U.S. Army Corps of Egineers, the Port of Corpus Christi is the 5th largest port in the United States by tonnage shipped.

• During the Civil War, the Centennial House on North Broadway became a confederate hospital.

• While encamped during the fight for Texas’ Independence, General Zachary Taylor’s soldiers dug an artesian sulpher well at the site of what is now Artesian Park.

• At the turn of the century, Water Street (one block west of Shoreline Boulevard) was at the water’s edge; hence the name.

• The eight Miradores Del Mar (Spanish for “overlooks by the sea”) bayfront gazebos are copied from similar structures in Morocco, Mexico and Spain.

• The Miradores Del Mar gazebos are free-standing and add no weight to the seawall.

• Corpus Christi’s biggest recorded snowfall was 5 inches on January 29, 1897.

• Corpus Christi is home to the Corpus Christi IceRays of the Western Professional Hockey League.

• The area’s major industries are (1) petrochemical, (2) military and (3) tourism.

• Former President George Bush, Sr. received his Naval Aviators wings at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.

• Senator John McCain went through flight training at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.

• Sailing champion and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Paul Foerster is from Corpus Christi.

• Padre Island, the largest Barrier Island in the nation, is only 25 minutes from downtown Corpus Christi
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• The King Ranch is one of the largest and oldest working cattle and horse ranches in the world. The ranch has ranch history, wildlife and agriculture tours.

• The King Ranch is 825,000 acres - larger than Rhode Island - and has over 2000 miles of fencing.

• Corpus Christi hosts the U.S. Open Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Regatta.

• Corpus Christi is home to the official state aquarium of Texas.

• A portion of the movie Pearl Harbor, starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Alec Baldwin, was filmed on the USS Lexington.

• Country music star Barbara Mandrell lived in Corpus Christi during part of her childhood.

• Corpus Christi is home to late Tejano singing star and legend, Selena.

• Actress Farrah Fawcett was born in Corpus Christi and graduated from W.B. Ray High School.

• The NASCAR Champions Terry and Bobby Labonte are from Corpus Christi.

• Actor Lou Diamond Phillips graduated from Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi.

• Actors Dabney Coleman and Pepe Serna are from Corpus Christi.

• Before writing the novel Old Yeller, Fred Gibson was a journalist for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.