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Historical development of Galveston and Houston Island
Galveston and Houston are coastal City Island in the United States of Texas. The island covers a vast proportion of land with a population above 47,762 according to 2012 census estimate. Alonso Olivarez de Pineda explored the Galveston Island from the Florida peninsula to the Pánuco River surveying the geographical setting of the region. But the earliest known geographical analysis of the island and the bay was made by French explorer Bernard de La Harpe in 1721. Before exploration, Galveston Island was first occupied by some specific communities. The communities were later displaced following the interaction with the incoming visitors. After independence from Spanish rule, the Island became established by the Mexican Congress. Galveston-Houston Island was among the prominent ports in Texas that served as both military centers as well as capital City during the period of Revolution. The city of Galveston became prominent in the slave trade establishing itself as the largest slave market west of New Orleans where African-American slaves were being shipped to various regions of the world. According to the Census records from 1860, it showed that there was a population of 1178 slaves compared to 6000 free persons living in the city. The ratio of slaves, however, was comparatively less than the rest of Texas population.  As English-speaking Americans thronged came to the Island, they shipped many Africans and American slaves.

The slaves were assigned to work domestically and others on the port services. Most of them worked with the riverboats. Later, Galveston became a chief U.S. trading center and one of the largest ports in Texas, (Hardwick and Susan 58).
The benefits that have accrued to the country due to nearness to the water bodies include increased freight volume and reduced transit suspensions and adjournments for commercial maritime conveyance. As a result, there was a reduced risk of groundings for maritime jam. Recreational facilities have also been developed such that more tourists are thronging in lately. It has led to amended environmental arrangement and scrutiny, including perilous material spill from the ship’s response. The Island has also attracted numerous tourists due to its beautiful scenery and recreational facilities. Furthermore, there has been a rapid industrial development to cater for the growing population and as a result jobs creation is being facilitated. Accessibility to the Island has prompted industrial development. New buildings and industries have been erected. More jobs have been created too. Other infrastructures like roads and communication network have also been developed. There have been rapid yearly beach visits taking place along the Gulf Coast shores of Galveston. The port at the Island has facilitated trade with other regions connected by the water bodies such as Spain, (Larson et al 145).
Unfortunately, there is accompanied disadvantages of the water bodies besieging the Island. Among the demerits of the large water, mass includes extensive land subsidence following the ground water pumping. The subsidence has consequentially resulted in severe cases of flooding. Ideally, the subsidence has also caused extensive damage to other substructures like buildings, roads, and other pass-ways. The above damages have been aggravated by surface water distribution. Due to the land subsidence, a vast percentage of the land has been covered by water and as a result claiming residence lives. Environmental degradation has also increased tremendously due to oil spillage by ships. The frequency and severity of flooding have increased due to the land subsidence in the area. The rise in sea level has been contributed majorly to land subsidence and global warming and other industrial processes that could be added to human activities and natural processes and events.
Works cited
Hardwick, Susan Wiley. Mythic Galveston: Reinventing America’s Third Coast. JHU Press, 2002.
Larson, Erik. Isaac’s Storm, New York: Vintage Books, 2000.