Among Austin's points of interest are the State Capitol Building, constructed of Texas pink granite between 1882 and 1888, and the Governor's Mansion (1856). Several buildings reflect Austin's early architecture, including the French Legation (1841), the residence of the French ambassador to the Republic of Texas, which existed from 1836 until 1845; and the Driskill Hotel. Austin is home to the largest colony of urban bats in North America. Between April and September more than 1 million Mexican free-tailed bats congregate under the Congress Avenue Bridge in the city. Natural landmarks in the region include Barton Springs, a spring-fed swimming hole that maintains a constant temperature of 20° C (68° F); Mount Bonnell; and Lake Austin. The city also has an extensive park system covering a total of about 8500 hectares (about 21,000 acres).Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Austin Information info
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