The Dallas metro area, officially known as the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, covers twelve counties. Located in the northern part of Texas, the Dallas metro area is the fifth largest metro in the United States with a population of nearly 6 million people.

The City of Dallas is the major cultural and economic center for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Dallas is the ninth largest city in the United States with a population of 1.2 million. Compared to other major metros, the relatively low cost of living, strong economy and compelling real estate options make Dallas an attractive place to live.

If you're looking for new homes, Dallas home builders have developed many new residential communities. Use NewhomeGuide.com to find Dallas homes for sale or read on to learn more about city.

Historically, the Dallas economy was fueled by the cotton and oil industries which helped the city grow to become the economic center for the Southwestern United States. Today, information technology, telecommunications, banking and transportation are its major industries. Dallas is headquarters to many large corporation including Exxon-Mobil, Texas Instruments, EDS and Perot Systems. Southwest Airlines, Kimberley-Clark, Blockbuster and 7-Eleven are also based in Dallas.

Dallas has a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts community. Cultural landmarks include the Majestic Theater and the Dallas Museum of Art. The Texas State Fair is also held in Dallas, attracting over 22 million visitors each year.

On average, Dallas enjoys 232 days of sunshine each year and a daily temperature of 65°F degrees. Dallas has a humid subtropical climate with average summer highs of 96 F degrees and average summer lows of 36°F degrees.

Dallas is home to several professional sports teams including the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, the NHL's Dallas Stars and the Major League Soccer's FC Dallas.