The Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley is situated in the southernmost tip of South Texas. It lies along the northern bank of the Rio Grande and borders Mexico.

The region consists of four counties: Starr County, Hidalgo County, Willacy County, and Cameron County. The most populated city is Brownsville, followed by McAllen. Other major cities include Harlingen, Mission, Edinburg, and Pharr. The Rio Grande Valley nickname is misleading because it is a delta or floodplain not a valley. Early settlers from Mexico felt that the term "Valley" sounded more inviting to tourists and northern investors than did "Delta."

The Valley is primarily known for South Padre Island. The island is a popular spring break destination for college students and other tourists from across the country.

The Valley is dependent on agribusiness and tourism. The leading crops in the area are cotton, various sorghums, maize, and sugarcane. The region is the center of citrus production and the most important area of vegetable production in the State of Texas.

Brownsville

Brownsville is located on the banks of the Rio Grande. The city is immersed with rich South Texas heritage and culture. Brownsville makes for an ideal travel destination with Matamoros, Mexico, just steps away and two beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches less than half an hour away.

McAllen

McAllen is the most populated city in Hidalgo County, Texas. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in an area known as the Rio Grande Valley. McAllen is one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

Harlingen

Harlingen is the second largest city city in Cameron County, located at the heart of the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Harlingen's strategic location at the intersection of U.S. highways 77 and 83 in northwestern Cameron County resulted in its development as a distribution, shipping, and industrial center.

Edinburg

Edinburg is a city in and the county seat of Hidalgo County, Texas. According to the City of Edinburg Web site, the city was founded on October 10, 1908 and was known as “Chapin.” The city changed its name to Edinburg to honor a prominent businessman who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Edinburg is the home of the University of Texas-Pan American and the Rio Grande Bible Institute.