Rio Grande Valley - wikipedia Rio Grande Valley This article is about the Lower Rio Grande Valley. For the New Mexico wine region along the Middle Rio Grande Valley, see Middle Rio Grande Valley AVA. For the city, see Rio Grande City, Texas. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( November 2009 ) Rio Grande Valley Region Country US State Texas Region South Texas Lowest point - location Gulf of Mexico - elevation 0 m ( 0 ft ) Area 12,619 km ( 4,872 sq mi ) Population 1,336,323 ( 2014 ) Density 259 / km ( 671 / sq mi ) Timezone Central ( UTC - 6 ) Area code 956 Map of the Rio Grande Valley Website : Handbook of Texas : Rio Grande Valley The Rio Grande Valley is an area located in the southernmost tip of South Texas. It lies along the northern bank of the Rio Grande river, which separates Mexico from the United States. The four - county region, consisting of Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy, and Starr counties, is one of the fastest growing places in the United States. From having about 325,000 people in 1969, to today a population over 1,300,000 in 2014. Some of the biggest cities in the region are : Brownsville, Harlingen, Weslaco, Pharr, McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Hidalgo, and Rio Grande City. Contents 1 Geography and demographics 2 Climate 3 Tourism 3.1 Places of historical interest 4 Economy 5 Politics 6 Education 7 Hospitals 8 Media 8.1 Magazines 8.2 Newspapers 8.3 Local Blogs 8.4 Television 8.5 Radio 9 Notable people 10 See also 11 Notes 12 References 13 External links Geography and demographics The Rio Grande Valley is not a true valley, but a floodplain, containing many oxbow lakes or resacas formed from pinched - off meanders in earlier courses of the Rio Grande. Early 20th - century land developers, attempting to capitalize on unclaimed land, utilized the name `` Magic Valley '' to attract settlers and appeal to investors. The Rio Grande Valley is also called El Valle, the Spanish translation of `` the valley '', by those who live there. The residents of the Rio Grande Valley no longer refer to the area as `` El Mágico Valle del Río Grande '' ( `` The Magical Valley of the Rio Grande '' ), but as `` The Valley '' and also simply by the initials R.G.V. The main region is within four Texan counties : Starr County, Hidalgo County, Willacy County, and Cameron County. As of January 1, 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the Rio Grande Valley at 1,305,782. According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2008, 86 percent of Cameron County, 90 percent of Hidalgo County, 97 percent of Starr County, and 86 percent of Willacy County are Hispanic. The largest city is Brownsville ( Cameron County ), followed by McAllen ( Hidalgo County ). Other major cities include Harlingen, Edinburg, Mission, Rio Grande City, Raymondville, Weslaco, Hidalgo and Pharr. Climate The Rio Grande Valley experiences a warm and fair climate that brings visitors from many surrounding areas. The east side of the region experiences a humid subtropical climate, and becomes more arid as one heads west. The Valley is one of the southernmost areas of the continental United States, with only a small stretch of southern Florida laying at a lower latitude than the city of Brownsville. Due to its southerly location, the lower Rio Grande Valley tends to be very warm in comparison to northern areas. While having average temperatures that land the region a semi-tropical climate, the lower Valley only misses tropical climate status by a few degrees. Furthermore, the area lays in a transitional climate zone ; therefore, cities like Brownsville and South Padre Island land in a tropical savanna climate classification during years when winter months are slightly warmer than average. Due to this, the lower part of region has been known to sustain tropical plants such as flame trees, Cuban Royal palms, and coconut palms. Temperature extremes range from triple digits during the summer months to freezing during the winter. Taking into consideration the region 's warm weather, periods of triple digit weather occur much more often than those with freezing temperatures. While the Valley has seen severe cold events before, such as the 2004 Christmas snow storm, the region only occasionally experiences temperatures at or below freezing. These happen less often near the coast, where in some cases, never see temperatures below 35 - 40 degrees. Artic cold fronts bring colder weather to the region, but tend to dissapate quickly with daytime heating. The Rio Grande Valley 's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico make it a target for hurricanes. Though not impacted as frequently as other areas of the Gulf Coast of the United States, the Valley has experienced major hurricanes in the past. Hurricanes that have made landfall in or near the area include : Hurricane Beulah ( 1963 ), Hurricane Allen ( 1980 ), Hurricane Gilbert, Hurricane Bret, Hurricane Dolly ( 2008 ), and ( ( Hurricane Alex ( 2010 ) ). Having an especially flat terrain, the Valley usually experiences the catastrophic effects of tropical cyclones in the form of flooding. Due to threats of storm surge, the impending impact of tropical cyclones usually results in the closing of the Queen Isabella Causeway and voluntary - or sometimes mandatory - evacuations of the city of South Padre Island and coastal Cameron and Willacy counties. Severe weather in the Rio Grande Valley typically occurs during the spring months. While the area does n't see intense severe thunderstorm and tornado events like in the northern part of the state of Texas, the south Texas region is not immune to hail and supercell events that result in brief tornado touchdowns. Tourism The Lower Rio Grande Valley encompasses landmarks that attract tourists, and popular destinations include : Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and Bentsen - Rio Grande Valley State Park ; and on the coast : South Padre Island, Brazos Island, and the Port Isabel Lighthouse. The Valley is a popular waypoint for tourists visiting northeast Mexico. Popular destinations across the border and Rio Grande include : Matamoros, Nuevo Progreso, Río Bravo, and Reynosa, all located in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The Valley also attracts tourists from the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, and Mexico, D.F. ( México City ). Places of historical interest The First Lift Station in Mission, Texas once provided water for irrigating the crops of the early Rio Grande Valley. First Lift Station Los Ebanos Ferry, last hand - operated ferry on the Rio Grande La Lomita Historic District Fort Brown Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site Resaca de la Palma Rancho de Carricitos USMC War Memorial original plaster working model, located on the campus of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen Museum of South Texas History, originally the County Court House and Jail, built in the late 19th century Battle of Palmito Ranch, location of the last battle of the Civil War Brownsville Raid Battle of Resaca de la Palma Economy The Valley is historically reliant on agribusiness and tourism. Cotton, grapefruit, sorghum, maize, and sugarcane are its leading crops, and the region is the center of citrus production and the most important area of vegetable production in the State of Texas. Over the last several decades, the emergence of maquiladoras ( factories or fabrication plants ) has caused a surge of industrial development along the border, while international bridges have allowed Mexican nationals to shop, sell, and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande. The geographic inclusion of South Padre Island also drives tourism, particularly during the Spring Break season, during which South Padre Island becomes reminiscent of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. During the winter months, many retirees ( commonly referred to as `` Winter Texans '' ) arrive to enjoy the warm weather, access to pharmaceuticals and health care in Mexican border crossings such as Nuevo Progreso. There is a substantial health - care industry with major hospitals and many clinics and private practices in Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen. Box of Oranges, from the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas ( postcard, c. 1912 - 1924 ) Texas is the third largest producer of citrus fruit in United States, the majority of which is grown in the Rio Grande Valley. Grapefruit make up over 70 % of the Valley citrus crop, which also includes orange, tangerine, tangelo and Meyer lemon production each Winter. There are two semi-professional sports teams that play in the Rio Grande Valley : The Rio Grande Valley Vipers ( basketball ), and The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros ( soccer ). Previous teams that are now defunct include : the Edinburg Roadrunners ( baseball ), La Fiera FC ( indoor soccer ), Rio Grande Valley Ocelots FC, ( soccer ), Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings ( baseball ), Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees ( ice hockey ), and the RGV Sol ( indoor football ). One of the Valley 's major tourist attractions is the semi-tropical wildlife. Birds and butterflies attract a large amount of visitors every year all throughout the entire valley. Ecotourism is a major economic force in the Rio Grande Valley. Politics Rio Grande Valley Vote by Party in Presidential Elections Year GOP DEM Others 2016 29.0 % 81,885 67.6 % 190,922 3.40 % 9,544 2012 29.6 % 68,927 69.3 % 161,804 1.00 % 4,433 2008 31.2 % 69,287 67.8 % 150,424 1.00 % 2,033 45.8 % 90,493 53.8 % 106,300 0.40 % 789 2000 39.5 % 69,801 59.1 % 104,327 1.40 % 2,505 29.2 % 44,959 65.8 % 101,327 5.00 % 7,605 30.7 % 49,798 56.6 % 91,667 12.7 % 20,523 37.0 % 56,479 62.5 % 95,425 0.50 % 671 1984 46.5 % 68,602 53.2 % 78,625 0.30 % 435 1980 42.9 % 51,233 54.9 % 65,571 2.14 % 2,559 1976 35.3 % 37,853 64.0 % 68,661 0.70 % 772 1972 56.8 % 48,442 42.7 % 36,410 0.05 % 390 1968 38.1 % 28,831 55.1 % 41,665 6.80 % 5,147 1964 34.1 % 23,002 65.7 % 44,374 0.20 % 169 1960 40.4 % 25,465 59.0 % 37,239 0.60 % 360 As of 2016, officeholders tend to be Democrat. It is common for voters to be influenced by members of their own extended families and by prominent families in their towns, so politicians often try to make friends with family groups to increase their chances of getting elected. As of 2006, about 20,000 to 30,000 people in Cameron County habitually vote in primary elections, and Presidential elections have higher turnouts. Politiqueras, women hired to help elderly people vote, are crucial in South Texas elections. Cecilia Ballí of Texas Monthly wrote that voters expect to get favors from politicians they vote for, and if they do not get these favors they become resentful of politicians as a whole. Education Colleges and universities located in the Rio Grande Valley include : Texas A&M Health Science Center, School of Public Health - McAllen Texas A&M University - McAllen Campus ( A direct branch of the main Texas A&M University campus in College Station expected to open in 2017. ) University of Texas Rio Grande Valley -- Entered into full operation in 2015 with the merger of the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas -- Pan American. UTRGV will include a new medical school. Texas Southmost College Texas State Technical College South Texas College University of Texas Health Science Center - Regional Academic Health Center Hospitals Cornerstone Regional Hospital, Edinburg, Texas Edinburg Children 's Hospital, Edinburg, Texas Edinburg Regional Medical Center, Edinburg, Texas Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, Edinburg, Texas Harlingen Medical Center, Harlingen, Texas McAllen Heart Hospital, McAllen, Texas McAllen Medical Center, McAllen, Texas Rio Grande Regional Hospital, McAllen, Texas Rio Grande State Hospital, Harlingen, Texas Solara Hospital, Harlingen, Texas VA Health Care Center at Harlingen. Harlingen, Texas Valley Baptist Medical Center, Harlingen, Texas Valley Baptist Medical Center, Brownsville, Texas Valley Regional Medical Center, Brownsville, Texas Knapp Medical Center, Weslaco, Texas Mission Regional Medical Center, Mission, Texas Media Magazines The Go Guide - published by Above Ground Media, LLC rgvgoguide.com Celebrity Group Magazines - owned by Celebrity Group Advertising Agency Rio Grande Magazine ( ( www.viva-el-valle.com ) ) owned by viva el valle magazine ( ( http :... www.tots-tweens.com - owned by J&L Publishing LLC RGV Drives Magazine - Published by MAT Media Solutions Newspapers Valley Town Crier - owned by Gatehouse Media The Edinburg Review - owned by Gatehouse Media Valley Bargain Book - owned by Gatehouse Media El Periódico USA - owned by www.elperiodicousa.com El Extra - owned by AIM Media Texas El Nuevo Heraldo - owned by AIM Media Texas Mega Doctor News - owned by www.megadoctornews.com Texas Border Business - owned by www.texasborderbusiness.com The Brownsville Herald - owned by AIM Media Texas The Island Breeze - owned by AIM Media Texas The Mid Valley Town Crier - Owned by AIM Media Texas The Monitor - owned by AIM Media Texas Valley Morning Star - owned by AIM Media Texas Valleywood Magazine - owned by Valleywood Publications ( ( www.viva-el-valle.com ) ) - owned by Viva el Valle internet magazine Local Blogs Viva South Texas - owned by White Coyote Productions Ouch, My Ego ! - Local alt news blog Television KGBT - TV / DT Action 4 News, CBS Affiliate KRGV - TV / DT Newschannel 5, ABC Affiliate KVEO - TV / DT News Center 23, NBC Affiliate KCWT - CD 21, The CW Affiliate KTFV - CD 32, Telefutura Affiliate KMBH TV / DT 38, PBS Affiliate KLUJ - TV / DT 44, TBN Affiliate KTLM - TV / DT 40, Telemundo Affiliate KNVO TV / DT 48, Univision Affiliate KFXV - LD 67, Fox 2 News, Fox Affiliate XERV - TDT 9.1 Televisa XHAB - TDT 7.1 Vallevision, Televisa Radio KBFM Wild 104 ( Hip Hop / Top 40 ) XEEW - FM Los 40 Principales 97.7 ( Top 40 Spanish / English ) KBTQ 96.1 Exitos ( Spanish Oldies ) Univision KCAS 91.5 FM ( Christian, Teaching / Preaching / Music ) KESO Digital 92.7 ( Internacional, Spanish Top 40 ) KFRQ Q94. 5 The Rock Station ( Classic / Modern / Hard Rock ) KGBT 1530 La Tremenda ( Univision ) KGBT - FM 98.5 FM ( Regional Mexican ) Univision KHKZ Kiss FM 105.5 & 106.3 ( Hot Adult Contemporary ) KIRT 1580 AM Radio Imagen ( Variety, Spanish contemporary ) KIWW ( Spanish ) KJAV 104.9 Jack FM KKPS La Nueva 99.5 ( Regional Mexican ) KJJF / KHID 88.9 / 88.1 NPR ( Classical / Public Radio ) KNVO - FM Super Estrella ( Super Star ) 101.1 KQXX Kiss FM 105.5 & 106.3 ( Hot Adult Contemporary, simulcast of KHKZ ) KTEX 100.3 ( Country ) KURV 710 AM Heritage Talk Radio ( part of the BMP family of stations ) KVLY 107.9 Mix FM ( Top 40 ) KVMV 96.9 FM ( Christian, Contemporary Music ) World Radio Network XHRYA - FM 90.9 Mas Music ( Spanish / English Mix ) KBUC Super Tejano102. 1 ( Tejano ) Notable people This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( October 2011 ) A list of notable people who were born, lived, or died in the Rio Grande Valley includes : David V. Aguilar ( Chief Border Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol ; Rio Grande Valley Station, Texas ) Micaela Alvarez ( Federal judge ; Donna, Texas ) Natalia Anciso ( Contemporary Artist ; Weslaco and Mercedes, Texas ) Gloria E. Anzaldúa ( Writer / Poet ; Hargill, Texas ) Cathy Baker ( T.V. performer ; Edinburg, Texas ) Lloyd Bentsen ( U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative ; Mission, Texas ) James Carlos Blake ( Novelist, Brownsville ) Harlon Block ( Iwo Jima flag raiser, died on Iwo Jima ; Weslaco, Texas ) David Bowles ( Critic, author and translator ; Donna, Texas ) William S. Burroughs American writer, his time as a farmer in the valley in Pharr, Texas is briefly chronicled in his books Junky and Queer Pedro Cano ( Medal of Honor recipient ; Edinburg, Texas ) Rolando Cantú is a Mexican football player who used to play for the Arizona Cardinals in the U.S. and graduated from McAllen High School ; McAllen, Texas. Raúl Castillo ( Actor ; McAllen, Texas ) Thomas Haden Church ( Actor ; Harlingen, Texas ) Freddy Fender ( Musician / Actor lyricist ; San Benito, Texas ) Mike Fossum ( Astronaut ; McAllen, Texas ) Reynaldo Guerra Garza ( Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ; Brownsville, Texas ) Kika de la Garza ( U.S. Representative ; Mission, Texas ) Roberto Garza ( Professional Football Player Chicago Bears ; Rio Hondo, Texas ) Xavier Garza ( Children 's author and illustrator ; Rio Grande City, Texas ) Tony Garza ( U.S. Ambassador to Mexico ; Brownsville, Texas ) Alfredo C. Gonzalez ( Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Marine Veteran ; Edinburg, Texas ) Matt Gonzalez ( 2008 Vice Presidential candidate ; former president of the Board of Supervisors of San Francisco, California ; born, McAllen, Texas ) Esteban Jordan ( Accordionist ; Elsa, Texas ) Bill Haley ( Musician ; Harlingen, Texas ) Catherine Hardwicke ( Film director, writer, producer ; McAllen, Texas ) Rolando Hinojosa ( Author ; Mercedes, Texas ) Rubén Hinojosa ( U.S. Representative, Edcouch Elsa, Texas ) Kris Kristofferson ( Musician, actor, songwriter ; Brownsville, Texas ) Tom Landry ( American football coach, Mission, Texas ) Bobby Lackey ( College Football Player ; Weslaco, Texas ) José M. López ( Medal of Honor Recipient ; Brownsville, Texas ) Domingo Martinez ( author ; Brownsville, Texas ) Roy Mitchell - Cárdenas ( Musician in rock band MuteMath ; McAllen, Texas ) Jack Morava ( Mathematician at Johns Hopkins University ; Mercedes, Texas ) Rachel McLish ( Ms. Olympia, actor ; Harlingen, Texas ) Bobby Morrow ( Olympic gold medalist ; San Benito, Texas ) Eduardo `` Eddie '' Perez ( Tejano Roots Hall of Fame inductee 2005, Tejano Academy Of Musicians Legacy Award 2008, Latin Grammy winner 2013, Edinburg, Texas ) Major Samuel Ringgold ( Father of modern artillery, served at what is now Fort Ringgold ; Rio Grande City, Texas ) Charles M. Robinson III ( Author ; San Benito, Texas ) Valente Rodriguez ( Actor ; Edcouch, Texas ) James Nicholas `` Nick '' Rowe ( February 8, 1938 -- April 21, 1989 ) McAllen, TX Col, USASF Green Beret 5th Group Battalion Commander, Vietnam POW, Created modern day Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape ( SERE ) training for most at risk Military personnel and civilians still used today by SOCOM community Ricardo Sanchez ( U.S. Army lieutenant general ; Ground forces commander in Iraq ; Rio Grande City, Texas ) Julian Schnabel ( Filmmaker ; Brownsville, Texas ) Merced Solis aka Tito Santana ( Wrestler ; Mission, Texas ) Nick Stahl ( Actor ; Harlingen, Texas ) Emeraude Toubia ( Actress ; Brownsville, Texas ) Filemon Bartolome Vela ( Federal judge ; Harlingen, Texas ) Eric Miles Williamson ( Novelist / Literary Critic / Professor ; McAllen, Texas ) Cristela Alonzo ( comedian / Actress / writer / producer ; San Juan, Texas ) See also Texas portal Flora of the U.S. Rio Grande Valleys Notes References Jump up ^ Texas State Historical Association -- Lower Rio Grande Valley Jump up ^ Winter Texan Resources for South Padre Island, Brownsville, Harlingen, and the Rio Grande Valley Jump up ^ 2012 Census Estimates Archived 2014 - 08 - 15 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley Fact Sheet Jump up ^ Population Estimates for Rio Grande Valley Cities 2000 - 2004 Jump up ^ National Park Service : Rancho de Carricitos Jump up ^ Rootstock and Scion Varieties by Julian W. Sauls, Professor & Extension Horticulturist, Texas AgriLife Extension Jump up ^ Ballí, Cecilia. `` The Bad Guy With the Badge '' ( Archive ). Texas Monthly. August 2006. Retrieved on May 25, 2016. Jump up ^ RAHC Vision Statement Jump up ^ http://www.vivasouthtexas.com/about-us.html Jump up ^ http://ouchmyego.com/about-ouch-my-ego/ External links Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Rio Grande Valley. Texas State Historical Association -- Lower Rio Grande Valley Rio Grande Valley Partnership : Valley Chamber Rio Grande Valley Sports Information Center South Padre Island Turtle Cam Rgvattractions.com : Attractions in the Rio Grande Valley Rio Grande Valley Community Foundation RGVPride.com Los Ebanos, TX Wintertexaninfo.com : The Winter Texan Connection Municipalities and communities of Cameron County, Texas, United States County seat : Brownsville Cities Brownsville Harlingen La Feria Los Fresnos Palm Valley Port Isabel Rio Hondo San Benito Towns Bayview Combes Indian Lake Laguna Vista Los Indios Primera Rancho Viejo Santa Rosa South Padre Island Village Rangerville CDPs Arroyo Colorado Estates Arroyo Gardens Bixby Bluetown Cameron Park Chula Vista Del Mar Heights El Camino Angosto Encantada - Ranchito - El Calaboz Grand Acres Green Valley Farms Iglesia Antigua Juarez La Feria North La Paloma La Tina Ranch Lago Laguna Heights Las Palmas II Lasana Laureles Lozano Olmito Orason Ratamosa Reid Hope King San Pedro Santa Maria Solis South Point Tierra Bonita Villa del Sol Villa Pancho Yznaga Other unincorporated communities Arroyo City Boca Chica Village Ghost towns Santa Rita Municipalities and communities of Hidalgo County, Texas, United States County seat : Edinburg Cities Alton Donna Edcouch Edinburg Elsa Granjeno Hidalgo La Joya La Villa McAllen Mercedes Mission Palmhurst Palmview Penitas Pharr Progreso Progreso Lakes San Juan Sullivan City Weslaco Town Alamo CDPs Abram Cesar Chavez Citrus City Cuevitas Doffing Doolittle Faysville Hargill Havana Heidelberg Indian Hills La Blanca La Homa Laguna Seca Linn ( former San Manuel - Linn ) Llano Grande Lopezville Los Ebanos Midway North Midway South Mila Doce Monte Alto Muniz Murillo ( former Nurillo ) North Alamo Olivarez Palmview South Perezville Relampago San Carlos Scissors South Alamo Villa Verde West Sharyland Unincorporated community McCook Municipalities and communities of Starr County, Texas, United States County seat : Rio Grande City Cities Escobares La Grulla Rio Grande City Roma CDPs Airport Heights Alto Bonito Heights Amada Acres Anacua B and E Barrera Benjamin Perez Buena Vista Camargito Campo Verde Casa Blanca Casas Chaparrito Chapeno Delmita East Alto Bonito East Lopez El Brazil El Castillo El Cenizo El Chaparral El Mesquite El Quiote El Rancho Vela El Refugio El Socio Elias - Fela Solis Escobar I Eugenio Saenz Evergreen Falcon Heights Falcon Village Falconaire Fernando Salinas Flor del Rio Fronton Fronton Ranchettes Garceno Garciasville Garza - Salinas II Guadalupe - Guerra Gutierrez H. Cuellar Estates Hilltop Indio Jardin de San Julian JF Villarreal La Carla La Casita La Chuparosa La Escondida La Esperanza La Loma de Falcon La Minita La Paloma Ranchettes La Puerta La Rosita La Victoria Lago Vista Las Lomas Loma Linda East Loma Linda West Loma Vista Longoria Los Alvarez Los Arrieros Los Barreras Los Ebanos Manuel Garcia Manuel Garcia II Martinez Mesquite Mi Ranchito Estate Miguel Barrera Mikes Moraida Narciso Pena Netos Nina North Escobares Northridge Old Escobares Olivia Lopez de Gutierrez Olmito and Olmito Pablo Pena Palo Blanco Pena Quesada Rafael Pena Ramirez - Perez Ramos Ranchitos del Norte Rancho Viejo Regino Ramirez Rivera Rivereno Roma Creek Salineño Salineño North Sammy Martinez San Fernando San Isidro San Juan Sandoval Santa Anna Santa Cruz Santa Rosa Santel Sunset Tierra Dorada Valle Hermoso Valle Vista Victoria Vera Villarreal West Alto Bonito Zarate Other unincorporated communities La Gloria La Reforma Santa Catarina Santa Elena Municipalities and communities of Willacy County, Texas, United States County seat : Raymondville Cities Lyford Raymondville San Perlita CDPs Lasara Los Angeles Port Mansfield Ranchette Estates Santa Monica Sebastian Zapata Ranch Former CDP Lyford South Willamar State of Texas Austin ( capital ) Topics Architecture Climate Cuisine Geography Government Healthcare History Languages Law Literature Media Newspapers Radio TV National Historic Landmarks Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks National Register of Historic Places Sites Sports Symbols Texans Tourist attractions Transportation Seal of Texas Society Culture Crime Demographics Economy Education Gambling Politics Regions Ark ‐ La ‐ Tex Big Bend Blackland Prairies Brazos Valley Central Texas Coastal Bend Concho Valley Cross Timbers Deep East Texas East Texas Edwards Plateau Golden Triangle Hill Country Llano Estacado Northeast Texas North Texas Osage Plains Panhandle Permian Basin Piney Woods Rio Grande Valley Southeast Texas South Plains South Texas Texoma Trans - Pecos West Texas Metropolitan areas Abilene Amarillo Austin -- Round Rock Beaumont -- Port Arthur Brownsville -- Harlingen College Station -- Bryan Corpus Christi Dallas -- Fort Worth -- Arlington El Paso Houston -- The Woodlands -- Sugar Land Killeen -- Temple Laredo Longview Lubbock McAllen -- Edinburg -- Mission Midland Odessa San Angelo San Antonio -- New Braunfels Sherman -- Denison Texarkana Tyler Victoria Waco Wichita Falls Counties See : List of counties in Texas Coordinates : 26 ° 13 ′ N 98 ° 07 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 26.22 ° N 98.12 ° W ﻿ / 26.22 ; - 98.12 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rio_Grande_Valley&oldid=806316467 '' Categories : Rio Grande Valley Rio Grande Valleys of Texas Valleys of Mexico Regions of Texas Wetlands of Texas Landforms of Cameron County, Texas Landforms of Hidalgo County, Texas Landforms of Starr County, Texas Landforms of Willacy County, Texas Landforms of Tamaulipas Rio Grande basin Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links Articles needing additional references from November 2009 All articles needing additional references Geobox usage tracking for other type All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from December 2016 Articles with unsourced statements from June 2013 Articles needing additional references from October 2011 Coordinates on Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikivoyage Languages Español Esperanto Italiano Nederlands Norsk Edit links This page was last edited on 21 October 2017, at 05 : 16. 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Question: how many counties make up the rio grande valley
Answer: Hidalgo