The city of Corpus Christi is a coastal city in southern Texas which acts as the seat of Nueces County. The limits of Corpus Christi City spread into neighboring counties of Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio. It is likewise the principle city of three county MSA whose population, in 2008, was estimated to be 416,000, with approximately 305,000 being from Corpus Christi City. This makes it the eighth biggest city within the state of Texas.
The literal translation in Spanish of the name "Corpus Christi" which means "Body of Christ." In honor of the Blessed Sacrament, the city was originally granted by the Spanish. In most literature which promotes tourism for the city of Corpus Christi, it is called The Sparkling City by the bay.
Corpus Christi City is home to the 6th biggest port in the nation. The Corpus Christi International Airport and the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi are likewise situated in Corpus Christi City.
To be able to promote the cities top attractions, the USS Lexington floating museums and the Texas State Aquarium, the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau is responsible for the organization of visitor and tourism information.
Located in the cities museum district, there are some theaters and museums, comprising the Museum of Asian Cultures, the Museum of Science and History, the South Texas Institute for the Arts, the Harbor Playhouse Theater and the Texas Surf Museum. A lot of the renovated older houses in the city of Corpus Christi are also situated in this district.
The K Space Contemporary, which is a non-profit art group, supports local artists as well as some national and regional artists. It is located downtown together with a center of marinas, several shops and companies, the aquarium, Mirador de la Flor and skyscrapers.
The city of Corpus Christi is also known for its Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, that hosts gardening programs periodically during the year. The Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge, known for its sea bird watching, is located near the Pharaoh Valley subdivision on Oso Bay.
Directly east of the city is Padre Island and Mustang Island. These islands are home to some of the most gorgeous parks within the area, like for example the Padre Island National Seashore. King Ranch, among the world's biggest ranches, is located near Corpus Christi City.
The Buccaneer Days Carnival is hosted each year in the city of Corpus Christi.
There are several attractions that tempt visitors to come to the city of Corpus Christi. There are miles of gorgeous beaches along with refreshing sea breezes, culturally diverse museum and arts district, waterfront restaurants, as well as numerous shopping facilities.
Corpus Christi City hosts military bases as well as a major seaport, refineries, and chemical plants along with a large heath care system. Economically speaking, Corpus Christi City depends on port activity and tourism with additional support coming from the agriculture, oil and gas, petrochemicals and military industries.