Roma is a bicultural, history-rich town on the Rio Grande. It was founded in 1765 by Spanish explorers and grew into a thriving river port in the late 19th Century. Much of the city’s original town site has been preserved and features extensive work of borderland architecture. Roma's buildings form a virtual "living catalog" of the different building technologies and town planning efforts of Northern Mexico and the American Southwest. In 1993, the city center was designated a National Historic Landmark District, the highest designation given by the United States Department of Interior. Roma is a quintessential American city rooted deeply in the traditions of Mexico. The preservation of this culture can be seen in the multitude of nationally successful art and music programs that showcase its history. The fluidity between Roma and its sister city, Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, blurs the border and creates a bilingual, binational, and bicultural community. Today, Roma continues to serve as an important crossing point for international trade, welcoming over three-quarter million people annually into the United States. Visitors from all over the world flock to Roma during the winter to spot rare birds on their migration to warmer climates. Scenic views of the Rio Grande and Mexico from the Roma Bluffs, offer a glimpse to why many people consider this border community home.
