Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas, consisting of approximately 342.5 square miles. According to a 2007 census, the city contained a population of 1,232,940 people. The architecture in Dallas can be traced back to the modernist and postmodernist era. Buildings including the JFK Memorial, JPMorgan Chase Tower, and Fountain Place are good examples of postmodernist skyscrapers. Several buildings over 700 feet can be found in Dallas’ skyline.
Different sectors of the City of Dallas have their own distinct identities. Central Dallas is Downtown, the center of urban revival. East Dallas is home to Deep Ellum which contains popular shopping areas including Highland Park Village and Preston Center. Oak Cliff, located southwest of Downtown, has undergone gentrification over the years. South Dallas is known for being the poorest area in the city.For fun, residents can visit any of Dallas’ 406 parks and the Dallas Zoo, Texas’ fist and largest zoo. Every year, various festivals are held in Dallas including the Greek Food Festival and the State Fair of Texas which brings in about $350 million every year to the city’s economy. Book lovers can enjoy any of Dallas’ 32 libraries.The city has a superb health system consisting of several hospital and research facilities. Hospitals in the area include Methodist Dallas Medical Center in Oak Cliff and Baylor University Medical Center in Deep Ellum. One major research center is UT Southwestern Medical Center.The most common mode of local transportation in the city is the automobile. Travelers can use Interstates 20, 30, 35E, and 45 to travel throughout Dallas.