San Antonio

San Antonio (pop. 966,400), city in south-central Texas, seat of Bexar County, on the San Antonio River 150 mi (241 km) north of the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1718 by the Spanish, who built a series of missions in the area over the next 13 years, it was an important settlement in early Texan history. Captured (1835) by the Texans during the Texas Revolution, its Alamo was attacked by Mexicans in 1836. It is one of the largest military centers in the United States and the site of a major medical complex. Its manufactures include clothing, chemicals, and processed food; San Antonio is well known for its artists' colonies, museums, and historical sites.

See also: Texas.