In 1838, Mirabeau B. Lamar, sent to scout for a site for the capital of the new Republic of Texas, described the site on the Colorado River as "the seat of a future empire." Austin became the capital of the Republic and then capital of the state of Texas. It has become not only the seat of political and governmental power, but the center of a knowledge empire.
The site of The University of Texas at Austin, a world-class research institution and the largest university in the nation, Austin is known for its highly educated workforce and its high degree of creativity. It is a technology center that such industry giants as Dell, AMD, 3M, IBM, Samsung Austin Semiconductor and National Instruments call home.
That site on the Colorado has proved hospitable to its 672,011 residents, who can enjoy the Hill Country scenery with the fast-running creeks, lakes and spring-fed swimming holes. Named "the Live Music Capital of the World", Austin boasts more than 120 live music venues and a host of other cultural attractions.