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Physical Features: Southwestern county on Rio Grande: rolling, some hills; much brush; sandy, gray soils; alluvial along river.

Economy: International trade, manufacturing, tourism, government/services, natural gas, oil.

History: Coahuiltecan groups squeezed out by Comanches, Apaches, and Spanish settlers. Laredo founded in 1755 by Tomás Sánchez. County named for Republic leader James Webb; created in 1848 from Nueces and Bexar counties, organized the same year.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 3.6; Black, 0.7; Hispanic, 95.5; Asian, 0.6; Other, 0.7; Two or more races, 0.4.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 5,357; deaths, 1,356; marriages, 1,836; divorces, 171.

Recreation: Tourist gateway to Mexico; hunting, fishing; Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, water recreation; historic sites; Museum of Republic of the Rio Grande; Fort McIntosh; minor league baseball, hockey; Washington’s Birthday celebration.

Minerals: Natural gas, oil, coal.

Agriculture: Onions, melons, nursery crops, cattle, horses, goats. About 2,500 acres irrigated. Market value $28.4 million. Mesquite sold. Hunting leases important.

LAREDO (263,584) county seat; international trade, retail center, government/services; rail, highway gateway to Mexico; junior college, Texas A&M International University, community college; hospitals; entertainment/sports arena; “El Grito” on Sept. 15; Jalapeño festival in February.

Other towns and places include: Bruni (393); El Cenizo (3,092); Mirando City (349); Oilton (360); Rio Bravo (4,907).

Development in booming Laredo expands to Lake Case Blanca. Photo by Robert Plocheck.