<P> Located in the American South, Houston is a diverse city with a large and growing international community . For this reason, it is often called "The Tokyo Of The South". The Houston Metropolitan area is home to an estimated 1.1 million (21.4 percent) residents who were born outside the United States, with nearly two - thirds of the area's foreign - born population from south of the United States--Mexico border . Additionally, more than one in five foreign - born residents are from Asia . The city is home to the nation's third - largest concentration of consular offices, representing 86 countries . </P> <P> Many annual events celebrate the diverse cultures of Houston . The largest and longest - running is the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, held over 20 days from early to late March, and is the largest annual livestock show and rodeo in the world . Another large celebration is the annual night - time Houston Pride Parade, held at the end of June . Other annual events include the Houston Greek Festival, Art Car Parade, the Houston Auto Show, the Houston International Festival, and the Bayou City Art Festival, which is considered to be one of the top five art festivals in the United States . </P> <P> Houston received the official nickname of "Space City" in 1967 because it is the location of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center . Other nicknames often used by locals include "Bayou City", "Clutch City", "Magnolia City", and "H - Town". </P> <P> The Houston Theater District, located downtown, is home to nine major performing arts organizations and six performance halls . It is the second - largest concentration of theater seats in a downtown area in the United States . Houston is one of few United States cities with permanent, professional, resident companies in all major performing arts disciplines: opera (Houston Grand Opera), ballet (Houston Ballet), music (Houston Symphony Orchestra), and theater (The Alley Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars). Houston is also home to folk artists, art groups and various small progressive arts organizations . Houston attracts many touring Broadway acts, concerts, shows, and exhibitions for a variety of interests . Facilities in the Theater District include the Jones Hall--home of the Houston Symphony Orchestra and Society for the Performing Arts--and the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts . </P>

With 125 182 square miles norway is just a little larger than the state of texas