with the Gulf of Mexico to the south and Oklahoma to the north.

More than 6.5 million people

live in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metroplex.

Hollywood films and TV shows have painted a picture of a desert city

ruled by oil magnates and cattle barons.

But despite its "Wild West" image,

Dallas is not a rural city and Texas is not all desert.

Flying in, you are welcomed by the sight of the Reunion Tower,

the long-standing landmark of this fast-developing southern city.

These days the biggest local industry is technology

and some even call it "Silicon Prairie".

The more common nickname is "The Big D"

because Dallas is so populous and the main commercial hub for the region.

Explore the cultural side of Dallas

by visiting the downtown theaters and galleries.

Head to the Arts District and browse the Dallas Museum of Art

to see American designs and famous European paintings.

Next door, the Nasher Sculpture Center mixes the traditional

with the contemporary in a tranquil setting.

Enjoy nature's masterpieces in the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens,

with colorful displays of native plants and European flowers.

On a hot day, order a treat from a food truck

and enjoy lunch on the lawn, Texas style.

Explore the underwater passages of the Dallas World Aquarium

to observe remarkable creatures from up close.

The aquarium is more like a zoo,

so don't miss the jungle walk if you like monkeys!

Nearby, children can fly like a bird, outrun a dinosaur,

witness a tornado, or feel an earthquake

at the Perot Museum Of Nature And Science.

At the Dallas Zoo they can see cuddly koalas,

hand-feed giraffes and admire other Giants of the Savanna.

Visit the Six Flags Over Texas theme park in Arlington

for even more family fun on the more than 100 rides.

Ride the Rock-n-Rocket, roll a ball,

and try a Texas-sized hot dog for lunch.

Grab some boots and a 10-gallon hat and explore the Heritage Village.

Then gear up for a trip to Southfork Ranch,

the film set of the immensely popular soap opera Dallas,

to enter the estate where J.R. and Sue Ellen

played out their unhappy marriage.

After nearly four decades,

this family saga is still being followed by fans all over the world.

Step into the middle of a cattle drive

in the heart of the city at Pioneer Plaza.

See bronze statues of Texas longhorns in the landscaped park.

This recreated prairie commemorates the old cowboy trails

which brought the first settlers here in the 1800s.

One of the most momentous events in American history took place

in the former book depository in West End.

Stand at the exact location where the shot was fired

that killed John F. Kennedy in 1963.

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

documents the assassination of the charismatic American president.

Don't leave Dallas without tasting a Texas BBQ or,

if you prefer fine dining, order sushi atop Reunion Tower.

End your day with dancing or lounging in a cocktail bar Uptown.

The free vintage trolley will safely shuttle you back to Downtown at night.

Come to Dallas, where modern meets old and where the friendly locals,

with their Texas twang, will show you a welcome as big as the state.