The city of McAllen, Texas is situated almost 5 miles from the Mexican border in the Rio Grande Valley. The valley and West Texas have been connected through Route 83. Other main highways that serve the area are the US Route 281 and Texas State Highway 107. The Miller International Airport is the nearest airport to McAllen City, that provides flights to Mexico City, and some other areas in the region.
The city was first established as West McAllen by John McAllen in the year 1904. Another group of developers established East McAllen soon afterwords and they merged together during 1911 when McAllen City was incorporated. The Free Trade Zone that was implicated during the 1970's led to the rapid expansion of industrial trade and manufacturing. More work were created in the 1990's when the North American Free Trade Agreement passed. The city of McAllen has become home to a few national companies over the past three decades and is considered the regional leader in commerce and government.
The International Museum of Art and Science in the city of McAllen is amongst the most fascinating facilities within the city. There are many different exhibits which are held annually in the city, like for example within the North Gallery, a Mexican arts and crafts exhibit, and a long term exhibit of dinosaur tracts at the Earth Science Gallery, which likewise comprises a working meteorological display. Situated at the Museum of South Texas History are several exhibits are artifacts cataloging the whole history of Southern Texas, including Spanish exploration and colonization, the Mexican War, Rio Grande steamboat era, and early ranching and farming. The Quinta Mazatlan, the McAllen Wing of the World Birding Center, caters to people who love nature. Their only objective is to be able to preserve the 1930's adobe estate and the native plants and animals from the area. The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge houses several animals, birds, and waterfowl from around the Rio Grande Valley. The Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park provides over five hundred acres of woodlands for ambitious hikers, campers, and picnickers.
There are three regional sports teams situated in the Rio Grande Valley. Based out of Edinburg are the Edinburg Coyotes, that is an independent minor league baseball team. From Hidalgo comes the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, a professional ice hockey team. Likewise from Hidalgo is a professional football team, the Rio Grande Valley Dorados.