Austin is the capital of Texas and one of the fastest-growing, most vibrant cities in the United States. Austin is a city with a rich historic past. Originally a buffalo hunting ground favored by Tonkawa Indians, the first name of the city was "Waterloo". This name was chosen because of the abundance of springs and creeks in the area. The city's historical importance comes alive in such places as the new Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum chronicles the colorful history of Texas.

Austin has a vast municipal system of parks and preserves; it is a city that prides itself on natural beauty. Greenbelts, waterways and pockets of undeveloped land create a unique landscape. Town Lake, the southernmost in a series of seven manmade lakes along the Lower Colorado River, bisects the heart of downtown. Some 10 miles of hike-and-bike trails encircle the lake. While further upstream, Lake Austin and Lake Travis attract boaters, fishermen, water-skiers, windsurfers and even scuba divers.

South by Southwest, one of the largest music festivals in the United States, is held in Austin each spring and welcomes musicians from around the globe to take part in this celebration. Visitors interested in music and the arts have a wealth of attractions available in Austin, such as the statue of bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughn and the University of Texas-Austin Performing Arts Center, one of a host of venues that offer everything from heavy metal to bluegrass.
And finally, Austin is home to the University of Texas, one of the largest universities in the U.S. The University of Texas (UT) is a key source of the city's cultural exploits. Its assets include a presidential library; theater, dance, and concert venues; prominent literary archives and an important art collection.
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