Houston is recognized worldwide for its
energy industry—particularly for oil and natural gas—as well as for biomedical
research and aeronautics. Renewable energy sources—wind and solar—are also
growing economic bases in Houston. The ship channel is also a large part of
Houston's economic base. Because of these strengths, Houston is designated as a
global city by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network and
by global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney. The Houston area is the top
U.S. market for exports, surpassing New York City in 2013, according to data
released by
