San Antonio, Texas

With a population of 1,144,646, San Antonio is the eighth-largest city in the United States. The crown jewel of downtown San Antonio is the Paseo del Rio or River Walk, which is made up of cobblestone paths that run along the San Antonio River. Stretching from the Municipal Auditorium and Conference Center in the north end to the King William Historic District in the south, the three-mile walkway contains a variety shops, sidewalk cafés, and nightclubs.

San Antonio is also home to a wide variety of military bases that are rich in history. The Brooks City-Base is headquarters for the 311th Human Systems Wing and contains the oldest Aeromedical Evacuation Annex in the Air Force. The historic Fort Sam Houston, where the Apache war chief Geronimo was held prisoner, has existed in its present location since 1876. The fort was also the site of the first manned military flight in 1910 and is now the site of the US Army Medical Department Museum.

Of course, it's difficult to discuss San Antonio without noting it as the home of the Mission San Antonio de Valero – better known as the Alamo. In 1836, the Alamo became steeped in the annals of military history when 189 defenders held off 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. And speaking of missions, you can head out along the trails of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which takes up 819 acres (331 hectares) and contains four 18th-century Spanish missions.

San Antonio also has a huge appetite for festivals, such as Fiesta San Antonio, the city's biggest festival, which includes a 12-day series of events including fairs, feeds, rodeos, races, and a whole lot of music and dancing. In May, the Fiesta Noche del Rio brings Latino music to the Ameson River Theater in a series of concerts and dance performances while the Texas Folklife festival brings Texas's largest arts and crafts fair to San Antonio. Other festivals not to be missed include the Carnaval del Rio in April and the San Antonio Mud Festival in January. It is this perpetual array of celebrations that ensure a year-round injection of excitement into everyday life.

San Antonio's south-central location in a setting of lush terrain, with mild temperatures and more than 300 days of sunshine annually means great outdoor recreation. Golf enthusiasts in particular should note that the city is becoming a major golf destination, with 39 courses. If you're not into outdoor sports, how about watching indoor sports: check out the Spurs NBA action any time they're in town at the AT&T Center.

And whether you're young at heart or you have kids, someone's going to enjoy visits to the San Antonio Zoo, SeaWorld San Antonio, the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, the Plaza Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe It or Not, and the Guinness World Records and Ripley's Haunted Adventure.

San Antonians are extremely proud of their city, and professionals relocating here will find them very welcoming.

For articles on healthcare professionals in San Antonio, see Nurse Under Fire.

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