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Rio Grande Valley

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The Rio Grande Valley is an area located in the southernmost tip of Texas. It lies along the northern bank of the Rio Grande, which separates Mexico from the United States.

In reality, the Rio Grande Valley is not a valley, but a delta or floodplain. However, early promoters of this region felt that the term "Valley" sounded more inviting to tourists and northern investors than did "Delta." The Rio Grande Valley is also called "the Valley" by those who live there.

The region is made up of four counties: Starr County, Hidalgo County, Willacy County, and Cameron County.

Its largest city is Brownsville. Other major cities include Harlingen, McAllen, Edinburg, Weslaco, and Mission.

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[edit] People of historical interest

The Valley has had a silent presence in American History from cotton smuggling during the Civil War, to being the birthplace of some of its best citizens.

A few people that have been born, lived, or died in the Rio Grande Valley are:

[edit] Places of Historical Interest

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[edit] Economy

The Rio Grande Valley is a booming region, although it remains one of the poorest parts of the United States; however, the Valley is rapidly becoming an important commercial center of the South. Hispanics comprise a large percentage of the Valley's population, ranging from 80% in some centers to 92% in the southernmost city of Brownsville. Its many international bridges bring in many Mexican nationals to shop, sell and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande River.

The Valley is also a popular tourist destination during the winters for residents from the midwestern United States and Canada. Winter Texans (as these part-time residents from the North are called), Mexican nationals, and thousands of college students who visit South Padre Island throughout March and April for Spring Break create the bulk of the Valley's tourism. Winter Texans typically arrive in mid- to late fall and stay until early to mid-spring and reside in the many recreational vehicle or travel trailer parks found near US Highway 83.

South Padre Island is another popular tourist destination. It is rated as one of the top five spring break destinations for college students by many traveling companies. The exclusive birds that pass through this tropical island attract birders from around the world to the Valley.

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See also: List of Texas counties
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