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Austin is the capital city of the state of Texas. With a population of approximately 690,000 people, it is the core cultural and economic center of the surrounding metropolitan area. The city is located right along the Colorado river and houses three artificial lakes. These bodies of water come in handy as the local temperatures in the summer average just a little over 90 degrees (32C). The terrain varies from east to west, the eastern part of the city being relatively flat, and the western part boasting scenic rolling hills.
The heart of Austin lies not in its geography, but its culture. It has been named the Live Music Capitol of the World thanks to the multitude of nightclubs on 6th street downtown, and its annual music/film/multimedia festivals known as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits. Beyond the music scene there is a strong support for an eccentric and diverse lifestyle and with it an equally strong support for local business. Many proud Austinites (as the residents are called) display shirts and bumper stickers proclaiming a key motto of the city "Keep Austin Weird" in promotion of this lifestyle. Overall the atmosphere of the city is one of a relaxed and genial nature, with a bit of eccentricity and flare.
A focus on education has helped to define the city of Austin. This focus has made Austin one of the most highly educated cities in the nation and has attracted many technology-based companies. The University of Texas (UT) embodies educational pursuit and is dedicated to improving the learning and lives of people all over the world. Promotion of social progress, economic activity, and the creativity of its students, faculty and research have helped the University transform and enhance the lives of all who attend. Those people in turn change the world around them, leading to UT's motto: "What starts here, changes the world."