The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA, pronounced "U-tesk-uh" ), doing business as UT Health San Antonio , is a public academic health science center in San Antonio, Texas . It is part of the University of Texas System .
72-700: UT Health San Antonio is the largest health sciences university in South Texas . It is located in the South Texas Medical Center and serves San Antonio and all of the 50,000 square miles (130,000 km) area of Central and South Texas . It extends to campuses in the Texas border communities of Laredo and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. UT Health San Antonio has produced more than 42,550 graduates; more than 4,700 students
144-550: A band of cattle rustlers and cut-throats who had been terrorizing the area. The Rangers were members of a select group known as the Special Force. Led by Leander McNelly , the Special Force was given the task to bring law and order to an area of South Texas that lay between Corpus Christi and the Mexican border . San Antonio has the most significant African American population in all of South Texas. An important event in
216-939: A bomb scare in San Benito, Texas . This followed the desecration of a Santa Muerte statue in the San Benito Municipal Cemetery in January of the same year. In addition to the Catholic Church, several other Christian denominations are present in the Rio Grande Valley, including several organized Protestant churches in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. There are also 26 congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with about 17,000 members. Sikh , Muslim , Hindu , Jewish , Buddhist and Baháʼí Faith communities thrive in
288-738: A colonel. President Zachary Taylor was General of the Army at Fort Brown ( Brownsville ) during the Mexican–American War. The Texas Rangers gained popularity for their actions in South Texas during the Mexican bandit raids in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. On May 25, 1876, a band of 40 Texas Rangers rode out of Laredo and headed north to the Nueces Strip. Their mission was to find, kill or capture John King Fisher , leader of
360-481: A few times in the winter and snowfall is rare, usually three inches or less. Summers in this zone are hot and humid, with daily averages above 90 °F or 32.2 °C. In addition, areas in Texas that are slightly inland from the Gulf of Mexico, such as San Antonio that border the semi-arid climate zone, generally see a peak of precipitation in the spring, and a deep, drought-like nadir in midsummer. The region itself sees
432-621: A mass migration from Tamaulipas to the United States side of the river. From the end of the Mexican-American War, the population of the Valley began to grow, and farmers began to raise cattle in the area. Despite the end of the formal war in 1848, interracial strife continued between native peoples and the white settlers over land through the 1920s. At the turn of the 20th century trade and immigration between Mexico and
504-658: A periodic magazine, Mission . In August 2024, the University of Texas Board of Regents announced that the University of Texas at San Antonio and UT Health Science Center at San Antonio would be amalgamated to form a "world class university in San Antonio." The integrated universities will retain the UTSA name. State Senator Leticia Van de Putte championed the creation of a special advisory group that would research
576-549: A positive trajectory, the merger would be a short-term distraction for UTHSCSA, and the benefit to UTSA's national stature would be slight. The Health Science Center has a public–private partnership that is designed to promote research at the institution. The $ 300 million project, titled "The Campaign for the Future of Health", seeks to build new infrastructure with the South Texas Research Facility and
648-605: A range of environmental organizations across the Rio Grande Valley, including the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, the South Texas Human Rights Center, TRUCHA, Voces Unidas, and Texas Rising RGV. The letter highlights the identities of Rio Grande Valley community members that are most often overlooked, including Indigenous voices. Now, there are large concerns regarding Elon Musk’s intentions to relocate
720-598: A royal Spanish declaration preventing Ladrón de Guevara from participating in colonization efforts. The first villas in the region were settled in Laredo and Reynosa in 1767. In 1805, the Spanish government solidified the autonomy of the region by defining the territory of Nuevo Santander as south of the colony of Tejas from the Nueces River south to Tampico , Charcas , and Valles. The local government of
792-493: A short wet season from March to May and another one from late August to October, and a dry season elsewhere in the year. Night-time temperatures are around 85 °F or 29.4 °C in summer. The region of South Texas includes the semi-arid ranch country and the wetter Rio Grande Valley. Considered to be the southernmost tip of the American Great Plains region, the inland region has rainfall similar to that of
SECTION 10
#1732779966735864-477: A subregion of East Texas . The climate of South Texas is varied. The area along the Mexican border is generally semi-arid ( Köppen climate classification BSh ), while the area from the coast inland to just west of San Antonio has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa ). South Texas weather is affected by the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains to the west, the Gulf of Mexico to the east, and
936-582: A surge of industrial development along the border, while international bridges have allowed Mexican nationals to shop, sell, and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande. The geographic inclusion of South Padre Island also drives tourism, particularly during the Spring Break season, as its subtropical climate keeps temperatures warm year-round. During the winter months, many retirees (commonly referred to as "Winter Texans") arrive to enjoy
1008-560: A year train in an environment that involves more than 100 affiliated hospitals, clinics and health care facilities in South Texas. The university offers more than 65 degrees, the large majority of them being graduate and professional degrees, in the biomedical and health sciences fields. UT Health San Antonio is home to the Mays Cancer Center, which is in partnership with the MD Anderson Cancer Center and
1080-639: Is a designated a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center . The Mays Cancer Center's Institute for Drug Development (IDD) is internationally recognized for conducting one of the largest oncology Phase I clinical drug trials programs in the world. Fifteen of the cancer drugs most recently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration underwent development or testing at the IDD. Other noted programs include: cellular and structural biology, urology, nephrology, transplantation biology, aging and longevity studies, cardiology and research imaging. UT Health San Antonio publishes
1152-598: Is a geographic and cultural region of the U.S. state of Texas that lies roughly south of—and includes— San Antonio . The southern and western boundary is the Rio Grande , and to the east it is the Gulf of Mexico . The population of this region is more than 5 million according to the 2024 census estimates. The southern portion of this region is often referred to as the Rio Grande Valley . The eastern portion along
1224-399: Is a popular waypoint for tourists visiting northeast Mexico. Popular destinations across the border and Rio Grande include: Matamoros , Nuevo Progreso , Río Bravo , and Reynosa , all located in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas . The region also attracts tourists from the Mexican states of Tamaulipas , Nuevo León , Coahuila , and Mexico, D.F. (México City). The ancestral lands of
1296-546: Is between June and November. However, the Texas coast gets affected usually between August and September, when systems sporadically organize in the southern Gulf around the Bay of Campeche or western Caribbean and the latter months forming off the coast of Africa. Droughts - Although South Texas summers generally see rainfall in summer months, some years the lack of rain is persistent and leads to water shortages; lake levels drop significantly and lead to municipal water restrictions. In
1368-566: Is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico . South Texas consists of 41 counties. Its terrain is flat, lying on the coastal plain. South Texas is so vast, that there are even subregions. The very southern tip of South Texas, called the Rio Grande Valley , has fertile soils and is known for its citrus production. The eastern portion of South Texas is often referred to as the Coastal Bend ; here, coastal salt marshes, estuaries, and wetlands are scattered all around. The western and central parts are known as
1440-658: Is credited to the Saibara family. Laredo Eagle Pass Brownsville Los Indios Falcon Heights Hidalgo McAllen Pharr Progreso Rio Grande City Roma San Antonio Corpus Christi Laredo Rio Grande Valley Other The only major professional sports team in South Texas is the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA . Lower Rio Grande Valley The Lower Rio Grande Valley ( Spanish : Valle del Río Grande ), commonly known as
1512-478: Is no defined northern boundary, although it is believed to be at the city of San Antonio and from an east to west line extending from the Rio Grande near Maverick County to the Gulf of Mexico , but turning southeast at or near Lavaca County , and continuing towards the Gulf of Mexico to separate it from East Texas and Southeast Texas . The Rio Grande serves as the western and southern boundaries and separates Texas from Mexico . The eastern portion of South Texas
SECTION 20
#17327799667351584-455: Is often used in the western United States to refer to a large expanse with rivers. Most such valleys, including the Rio Grande, have good agricultural production. Early 20th-century land developers, attempting to capitalize on unclaimed land, utilized the name "Magic Valley" to attract settlers and appeal to investors. The Rio Grande Valley is also called El Valle , the Spanish translation of "the valley", by those who live there. The main region
1656-446: Is well known for strong Hispanic , primarily Mexican American and Tejano (the Spanish term for " Texan ") influences, due to its proximity to Mexico . Tejanos and Mexicans living in South Texas are descended from the Spanish and Sephardic Jewish settlers of Mexico, from Mexican indigenous groups allied with the Spanish, such as Tlaxcaltec and Otomi peoples, and from local indigenous groups of South Texas who were missionized by
1728-461: Is within four Texan counties: Starr County , Hidalgo County , Willacy County , and Cameron County . The largest city on the American side of the region is Brownsville (Cameron County), followed by McAllen (Hidalgo County). Other major cities include Harlingen , San Benito , Edinburg , Mission , Rio Grande City , Raymondville , Weslaco , Hidalgo and Pharr . On the Mexican side of
1800-737: The Chihuahuan Desert to the west/northwest. Moisture from the Pacific is cut off by the Mexican Sierra Madre Occidental and Oriental mountain ranges. Along the coast the climate is best exemplified in the summers when humidity is extremely high though at times arid, depending upon whether tropical moisture from the Gulf and sometimes from the Pacific is flowing in or if the region is cut off from any moisture by high pressure systems, causing long droughts, which occur every few years. Temperatures reach freezing only
1872-422: The Gulf of Mexico is also referred to as the Coastal Bend . Greater Houston and Beaumont–Port Arthur are occasionally tied to the region, both for physically being on the southern end of the state and for businesses that use "South Texas" in its name. (i.e. South Texas School of Law , South Texas State Fair , etc). However, the two are more commonly associated with East Texas or Southeast Texas . There
1944-546: The Mexico–United States border . The residents of the Lower Rio Grande Valley are generally bilingual in English and Spanish often mixing into Spanglish depending on demographics and context. Government statistics for the region are often underreported due to underlying immigration issues. The Spanish language plays an important role in all aspects of life. In 1982 a statistically significant majority of people in
2016-752: The Republic of the Rio Grande was established in this region in 1840, lasting less than a year. Laredo served as its capital. The Rio Grande Valley area played a significant role in the Mexican War of Independence , the Texas Revolution , the Mexican–American War , and the American Civil War , with many historical battle sites around the area. General Robert E. Lee resided at Fort Ringold ( Rio Grande City ) during this time as
2088-560: The Rio Grande Valley or locally as the Valley or RGV , is a region spanning the border of Texas and Mexico located in a floodplain of the Rio Grande near its mouth. The region includes the southernmost tip of South Texas and a portion of northern Tamaulipas , Mexico. It consists of the Brownsville , Harlingen , Weslaco , Donna , Pharr , McAllen , Edinburg , Mission , San Juan , and Rio Grande City metropolitan areas in
2160-1230: The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (soccer) One of the Valley's major tourist attractions is the semi-tropical wildlife. Birds and butterflies attract a large number of visitors every year all throughout the entire region. Ecotourism is a major economic force in the Rio Grande Valley. The Rio Grande Valley is served by three commercial airports: Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport in Brownsville, Texas, Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas, and McAllen Miller International Airport in McAllen, Texas. American Airlines and United Airlines provide service to all three airports, with Avelo Air also providing service to Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, Allegiant Air also providing service to McAllen Miller International Airport, Southwest Airlines , Sun Country Airlines and Delta Air Lines also providing service to Valley International Airport. There are several bus lines that run through
2232-614: The Tejano ranchers. Meanwhile, across the river, Mexico was dealing with the Mexican Revolution . The revolution spilled over the border through cross-border supply raids, and in response President Taft sent the United States Army into the region beginning in 1911 and continuing until 1916 when the majority of the United States armed forces were stationed in the region. Texas governor Oscar Colquitt also sent
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - Misplaced Pages Continue
2304-646: The Texas Rangers into the area to keep the peace between Mexicans and Americans. The region played host to several well-known conflicts including the backlash from the Plan of San Diego , and the racially fueled violence of Texas Ranger Harry Ransom. In 1921 the United States Border Patrol came to the region with less than 10 officers. Initially the agency was focused on import and export business, especially alcohol during Prohibition in
2376-627: The Union Pacific Railroad . In Mexico, Kansas City Southern de México runs freight service and crosses from Matamoros into Brownsville over the Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge . Sea trade runs through the deepwater seaport, the Port of Brownsville and the Foreign Trade Zone 62. SpaceX South Texas launch site is located near Brownsville. The region is represented by Ted Cruz and John Cornyn in
2448-591: The "mythologies of Indigenous ‘disappearance’ appear as ahistorical as they are problematic." Scholars like Blackhawk work to address the narrative of Native peoples as passively disappeared and of existing solely in the past by amplifying the intentional and strategic projects of dispossession and settler colonialism in their goals to erase, harm, and destabilize a group of people. Therefore, the Carrizo/Comecrudo tribe's work to establish their presence and continually advocate for their way of living and place in
2520-484: The 254 counties in Texas. Tornadoes do occur in this part of the state, but not as frequently as other parts. They approach, usually from the northwest to southeast, as a line of severe thunderstorms , mostly in the summer months and by cold fronts in fall. Snow rarely falls south of San Antonio or on the coast except in rare circumstances. Of note is the 2004 Christmas Eve snowstorm , when 6 inches (150 mm) of snow fell as far south as McAllen . South Texas
2592-535: The International Boundary and Water Commission has ordered We Build the Wall to stop until they can review whether or not the construction violates a Treaty to resolve pending boundary differences and maintain the Rio Grande and Colorado River as the international boundary between the United States and Mexico signed in 1970. The Rio Grande Valley is not a true valley , but a river delta . "Valley"
2664-867: The Northern Americas has been communally constructed on the Native Land webpage. The Carrizo/Comecrudo tribe is recognized on the Native Land webpage, represented across South Texas. The visibility and recognition of Native communities like the Carrizo/Comecrudo are paramount and require a constant fight by many Indigenous tribes worldwide, especially when histories of vulnerable groups like Indigenous communities are essentially contested and being attacked legally by state governments. As historian and scholar Ned Blackhawk outlines in "The Centrality of Dispossession: Native American Genocide and Settler Colonialism," in World History of Genocide: Volume II ,
2736-507: The Northern Plains. The coastal areas are warm most of the year due to currents of the Gulf of Mexico, but can get cold in winter if a strong front comes in, occasionally causing snow at sea level. Rain in the coastal region is more abundant than in the inland region, and subtropical forests line the Rio Grande . Inland, where it is drier, ranches dominate the landscape, characterized by thick, spiny brush and grasslands. The winters in
2808-721: The President's Excellence Fund. The university is one of four medical schools in the University of Texas System . UT Austin 's Pharmacy School is also partially located on this campus. The school has eight campuses, spanning 250 acres (1.0 km) in total: The campus has a postmodern architecture , with several notable architects contributing to the design of the campus buildings, namely: See also: List of museums in Central Texas 29°30′22″N 98°34′34″W / 29.506°N 98.576°W / 29.506; -98.576 South Texas South Texas
2880-592: The Republic of Texas, against British and Mexican sentiments, contributing to the onset of the Mexican–American War . The area along the Rio Grande was the source of several major battles, including the Battle of Resaca de la Palma near Brownsville. The war ended in 1848 with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which defined the United States' southern border as the Rio Grande. The change in government led to
2952-441: The Rio Grande Valley have been home to historic Native groups, which today include the Carrizo/Comecrudo tribe of Texas. While not recognized under the government, this tribe and other communities have existed on the lands predating European settlement and the acquisition of Texas from Mexico. The tribe speaks of their existence as a way of life. Today, a working map of Native and Indigenous nations and tribes across Turtle Island and
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - Misplaced Pages Continue
3024-507: The Rio Grande Valley is resilient and vital. The Carrizo/Comecrudo tribe of Texas has long fought with SpaceX over the environmental protection of their lands. Elon Musk established Starbase, one of the engineering hubs, in Boca Chica Beach, a coastal beach of the Rio Grande Valley. Alongside the Carrizo/Comecrudo tribe of Texas, local RGV environmental organizations have opposed SpaceXs business and activities at Boca Chica, citing
3096-416: The Rio Grande Valley spoke Spanish. People speak Spanish to communicate in all aspects of life including business, government, and at home. County County County County People often prefer Spanish to English when interacting with government officials as seen in the response to the region's 2018 flooding. The Catholic Church has been present in the Rio Grande Valley since the Spanish colonization of
3168-442: The Rio Grande Valley. The Lower Rio Grande Valley experiences a warm and fair climate that brings visitors from many surrounding areas. Temperature extremes range from triple digits during the summer months to freezing during the winter. While the Valley has seen severe cold events before, such as the 2004 Christmas snow storm and 2021 cold snap , the region rarely experiences temperatures at or below freezing, especially by
3240-830: The South Texas Plains or the Brush Country . Mesquite trees and crop fields dominate the Brush Country. Some people consider Houston to be in South Texas for several reasons: numerous businesses in the Houston region contain 'South Texas' in their titles. The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas includes the Houston division. However, Houston is most accurately classified as being within Southeast Texas ,
3312-597: The Spanish had a hard time conquering the area due to the differences in native languages, so they mainly focused on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico also known as the Seno Mexicano . Also, a major conflict existed on who would conquer the region. Antonio Ladrón de Guevara wanted to colonize the region, but the Viceroy of New Spain José Tienda de Cuervo doubted Ladrón de Guevara's character, eventually leading to
3384-470: The Spanish, particularly Coahuiltecans . These migrations occurred and have been ongoing since the early 1700s in South Texas. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in the 1840s failed to secure land belonging to the Mexican settlers. The disputed area was between the Nueces River south of San Antonio and Corpus Christi, the King Ranch , and the Rio Grande. Recognized by neither Mexico nor the United States,
3456-517: The United States , but later moved to detaining illegal aliens. The region had a significant increase of Border Patrol agents during World War I in conjunction with the Zimmermann Telegram . The Texas Rangers also increased their presence as law enforcement in the region with a new class of Ranger that focused on determining Tejano loyalty. They were often violent, carrying out retaliatory murders. They were never held accountable to
3528-590: The United States and the Matamoros , Río Bravo , and Reynosa metropolitan areas in Mexico. The area is generally bilingual in English and Spanish, with a fair amount of Spanglish due to the region's diverse history and transborder agglomerations . It is home to some of the poorest cities in the nation, as well as many unincorporated, persistent poverty communities called colonias . A large seasonal influx occurs of "winter Texans" — people who come down from
3600-616: The United States is well developed in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and connects Brownsville, Hidalgo, McAllen, Raymondville , Edinburg , Pharr , and Laredo . On the Mexican side, there are several major highways between Matamoros , Reynosa , and Nuevo Laredo . As of 2015 car travel on the Mexican side was considered dangerous and the Mexican Federal Police offered a police escort between Ciudad Victoria , Matamoros, and Reynosa. Freight trains run between Harlingen , Mission , Edinburg, and Santa Rosa connecting to
3672-546: The United States side of the Lower Rio Grande Valley including Metro Connect ( McAllen ), McAllen Paratransit, McAllen Metro Services, Brownsville Metro/ADA Paratransit Service Island Metro ( South Padre Island ), and Greyhound Lines . On the Mexican side of the border there are several bus companies that run including Greyhound, Tornado, Ave Senda Ejecutiva, Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales, Futua, Noreste, Omnibus de Oriente, Transpais, Transportes del Norte, Transportes Frontera, and Turistar Lujo. The Interstate Highway System in
SECTION 50
#17327799667353744-406: The United States was a normal part of society. The development of the St. Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railway in 1903 and the irrigation of the Rio Grande allowed the Rio Grande Valley to develop into profitable farmland. Droughts in the 1890s and early 1900s caused smaller farmers and cattle ranchers to lose their lands. Rich white settlers brought by the railroad bought the land and displaced
3816-539: The Valley citrus crop, which also includes orange , tangerine , tangelo and Meyer lemon production each Winter. One minor professional sports team plays in the Rio Grande Valley: The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (basketball). Defunct teams that previously played in the region include: the Edinburg Roadrunners (baseball), La Fiera FC (indoor soccer), Rio Grande Valley Ocelots FC (soccer), Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings (baseball), Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (ice hockey), Rio Grande Valley Sol (indoor football) and
3888-414: The Valley usually experiences the catastrophic effects of tropical cyclones in the form of flooding. The Lower Rio Grande Valley encompasses landmarks that attract tourists. Popular destinations include Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge , Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge , Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park , South Padre Island , Brazos Island , and the Port Isabel Lighthouse . The Valley
3960-476: The benefits of a possible merger between the Health Science Center and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), which is also located on the city's northwest side. In 2010, the special advisory group, headed by Peter T. Flawn , former president of both UTSA and the University of Texas at Austin , concluded that a merger would not be in the best interest of the two institutions. Among its key arguments were that both institutions had strong leadership already on
4032-415: The border Matamoros , Río Bravo , and Reynosa are major cities in this region. As of 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the Rio Grande Valley at 1,368,723. Hidalgo County has the largest population with an estimate of 861,137. Cameron County has the second-highest population estimated at 422,135. Starr County has the third-largest population estimated at 64,032. Willacy County has
4104-556: The coast, which transitions into a Tropical climate. The region's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico makes it a target for hurricanes . Though not impacted as frequently as other areas of the Gulf Coast of the United States, the Valley has experienced major hurricanes in the past. Hurricanes that have made landfall in or near the area include Hurricane Beulah (1967) , Hurricane Allen (1980) , Hurricane Gilbert , Hurricane Bret , Hurricane Dolly (2008) , Hurricane Alex (2010) , and Hurricane Hanna (2020) . Having an especially flat terrain,
4176-455: The development of South Texas and the Texas Gulf Coast rice industry was the introduction of seed imported from Japan in 1904. The Houston Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Pacific Railroad invited Japanese farmers to Texas to help area farms in the production of rice. The seed the Japanese farmers brought with them was a gift from the Japanese emperor. The production of Japanese rice began at Webster in Harris County. The Gulf Coast rice industry
4248-589: The fourth-largest population estimated at 21,419. According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2008, 86 percent of Cameron County, 90 percent of Hidalgo County, 97 percent of Starr County, and 86 percent of Willacy County are Hispanic . The major metropolitan areas in the Rio Grande Valley are surrounded by smaller rural communities called colonias. These communities are primarily poor and Hispanic. The areas often lack basic services like sanitation and sewage, and suffer from flooding. Many of these colonias are mixes of mobile homes and self-constructed houses owned by
4320-455: The headquarters of SpaceX to the Starbase site in Boca Chica Beach. The Valley is historically reliant on agribusiness and tourism . Cotton , grapefruit , sorghum , maize , and sugarcane are its leading crops, and the region is the center of citrus production and the most important area of vegetable production in the State of Texas. Over the last several decades, the emergence of maquiladoras (factories or fabrication plants) has caused
4392-426: The inland region are cooler and drier, as Arctic air can make it into the region, but snow is rare due to the lack of humidity. Summers are for the most part hot and dry, but at times can be humid if winds come off the warmer Gulf of Mexico. Tornadoes can occur in this region, but less frequently than in other parts of the state. Hurricanes are the most dangerous weather systems to affect South Texas. Hurricane season
SECTION 60
#17327799667354464-516: The law even though charges were brought in the Texas senate. There were two major military training facilities in the Valley in Brownsville and Harlingen during World War II . The North American Free Trade Agreement , also known as NAFTA, was established in 1994 as a trade agreement between the three North American countries, The United States, Mexico, and Canada. NAFTA was supposed to increase trade with Mexico as they lowered or eliminated tariffs on Mexican goods. Exports and imports tripled in
4536-456: The north end of the Rio Grande Valley. This allows for a second line of defense in the ever increasing subtlety of smuggling. More recently the organization We Build the Wall has begun construction on a section of the border wall in the Valley. Local residents have expressed concerns about the project including the site's proximity to the National Butterfly Center and the Rio Grande with its potential for seasonal flooding. The U.S. Section of
4608-429: The north for the winter and then return north before summer arrives. Native peoples lived in small tribes in the area before the Spanish conquest. The native tribes in South Texas were known to be hunter-gatherer peoples. The area was known for its smaller nomadic tribes collectively called Coahuiltecan . Native archaeological excavations near Brownsville have shown evidence of prehistoric shell trading. Initially,
4680-458: The region and accounted for a trade surplus of $ 75 billion. The Rio Grande Valley benefited from NAFTA in retail, manufacturing, and transportation. Due to the influx of jobs and exportation, many people migrated to the RGV, both documented and undocumented. According to Akinloye Akindayomi in Drug violence in Mexico and its impact on the fiscal realities of border cities in Texas: evidence from Rio Grande Valley counties , NAFTA also indirectly aids
4752-437: The region had a rough start with various indigenous wars up until 1812. In 1821 after the Mexican War of Independence , the state was renamed Tamaulipas . The Texas Revolution of 1835-1836 put the majority of what is now called the Rio Grande Valley under contested Texan sovereignty. The area also became a thoroughfare for runaway slaves fleeing to Mexico. In 1844, the United States under President James K. Polk annexed
4824-412: The region. In San Juan, Texas the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle is a major Catholic shrine. One of the offshoots of the Catholic Church, worship of Santa Muerte , has a small but significant following in the valley. There has been public outcry against followers erecting shrines at their homes and in public places. In 2015, a Santa Muerte statue was involved with
4896-524: The residents. The Bracero program enacted in the 1940s allowed Mexicans to cross the border and work in the agricultural fields. Most worked in the Rio Grande Valley, and due to a shortage of affordable houses, developers started selling them land in unincorporated areas; these clusters of homes over time became what are now known as colonias. According to the Housing Assistance Council, a nonprofit organization that tracks rural housing, approximately 1.6 million people live in 1,500 recognized colonias alongside
4968-476: The rise in immigration and drug smuggling practices between cartels in the region, with cartels profiting with over $ 80 billion. The Trump Administration decided to make new accords with Mexico and Canada and replaced NAFTA with the new trade agreement, United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2018. After the September 11 attacks , the Customs Border Security Act of 2001 established United States Border Patrol interior checkpoints with some situated at
5040-417: The summer of 2011, numerous records were set. On August 28, 2011, most of South Texas had temperatures reaching 110 °F, breaking many cities' record highs. Furthermore, 95% of the state faced an extreme or exceptional drought, according to the office of the Texas state climatologist. These drought conditions led to a string of dangerous wildfires across the state, and the enforcement of burn bans in 250 of
5112-417: The tribe's claims to land and destruction to the local terrain and natural life. On August 5, 2024, a group of local organizations including the Carrizo/Comecrudo tribe wrote a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration raising concerns about SpaceX operations in Boca Chica Beach and requesting a meeting to discuss the FAA's process of incorporating community voice into the conversation. The group includes
5184-430: The warm weather, access to pharmaceuticals and healthcare in Mexican border crossings such as Nuevo Progreso . There is a substantial health-care industry with major hospitals and many clinics and private practices in Brownsville , Harlingen , and McAllen . Texas is the third largest producer of citrus fruit in the United States, the majority of which is grown in the Rio Grande Valley. Grapefruit make up over 70% of
#734265