Dallas, located in northern Texas, is the ninth-most populous city in the U.S. and third in Texas, counting 1.3 million residents (2020 census) while anchoring the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex of 8.5 million people. Originally developed through railroad lines for cotton, cattle, and oil, the city grew into a major transportation hub with four converging interstate highways and the construction of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, one of the world's largest. Its diverse economy spans defense, financial services, and technology, hosting 11 Fortune 500 companies within city limits and contributing to a metroplex that boasts 23 total. The city was formally founded by John Neely Bryan in 1841, though its name likely honors Vice President George M. Dallas, with other theories pointing to Scottish origins or his brother. Notably, Dallas is the largest inland metropolitan area in the U.S. without any navigable link to the sea, and it thrives as a cultural melting pot, hosting over 41 colleges and universities and a history marked by six flags.