Click to enlarge.	Map legend.

Physical Features: Rolling, some hills; dense brush; clay, loam, sandy soils, alluvial on Rio Grande; Falcon Reservoir.

Economy: Vegetable packing, other agribusiness, oil processing, tourism, government/services.

History: Coahuiltecan Indian area. Settlers from Spanish villages that were established in 1749 on south bank began to move across river soon afterward. Fort Ringgold established in 1848. County named for Dr. J.H. Starr, secretary of treasury of the Republic; county created from Nueces County and organized in 1848.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 1.7; Black, 0.0; Hispanic, 98.0; Other, 0.3.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 1,428; deaths, 364; marriages, 402; divorces, 0.

Recreation: Falcon Reservoir activities; deer, white-wing dove hunting; access to Mexico; historic houses, Lee House at Fort Ringgold; grotto at Rio Grande City; Roma Fest in November.

Minerals: Oil, gas, sand, gravel.

Agriculture: Beef and fed cattle; vegetables, cotton, sorghum; 18,000 acres irrigated for vegetables. Market value $64.4 million.

RIO GRANDE CITY (13,834) county seat; government/services, tourism, agriculture; hospital, college branches; trolley tours; Vaquero Days in February.

ROMA-Los Saenz (9,765) agriculture center; La Purísima Concepcíon Visita.

Other towns include: Delmita (50); Escobares (1,188); Falcon Heights (53); Fronton (180); Garceño (420); Garciasville (46); La Casita (128); La Grulla (1,622); La Puerta (632); La Rosita (85); Las Lomas (3,147); La Victoria (171); Los Alvarez (303);  North Escobares (118); Salineño (201); San Isidro (240); Santa Elena (64).

The Starr County Courthouse faces a tree-lined street in Rio Grande City. Photo by Robert Plocheck.