City of Laredo 4.1

Laredo was founded on the north bank of the Rio Grande on May 15, 1755, when Captain Tomás Sanchez was granted permission to settle 15 leagues of land near an Indian ford on the river. That settlement grew into a thriving community on both sides of the Rio Grande, establishing itself then, as it is now, 260 years later, as a prosperous trade outpost.

In fact, today, Laredo is the nation’s largest inland port, with daily commercial traffic of 12,000 trucks; 1,200 rail cars, and 450 million pounds of air cargo annually. The Port of Laredo is a leader in international trade and commerce, currently ranked as the #3 U.S. Customs District, behind only the water ports of Long Beach and New York City. Laredo is the #1 trading partner with Mexico, representing 40% of all trade with Mexico passes through the Laredo and boasts a record $280 billion in trade with the world.

Known today as the city under seven flags, as reflected in the official City of Laredo logo, Laredo is the principal port of entry of goods and people from Mexico. As one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, this border metropolis continues to be reinvigorated as new industry and residents make the Gateway City their home.