The city grew from earlier settlements dating back to the Juan de Ornate expedition in 1598 and a settlement by Juan Maria Ponce de Leon in 1827. Although area mission predate that of a civil settlement by almost 150 years.
Combined populations are about two million.
Symphony orchestra, Theatre, museums, libraries, and diversified sporting activities including horse an greyhound racing, polo, tennis, football, and basketball. Home of the University of Texas at El Paso, noted for Bhutanese style architecture and the Sun Bowl Stadium. Equipment, documents, books, and memorabilia available to the casual visitor or the scholar. In an area by the Rio Grande where a new channel marks adjusted international boundary. Visitor center, exhibits, films in Spanish and English on Chamizal and of border history.