City (pop., 2000: 176,576), southern Texas, U.S. Located on the Rio Grande opposite Nuevo Laredo, Mex.
, it was established in 1755 by the Spanish and was named for Laredo, Spain. After the Texas revolt against Mexican rule in 1836, it became the seat of the Republic of the Rio Grande (183941). Occupied by the Texas Rangers in 1846, it was incorporated as a city in 1852. A rapidly growing city, its manufacturing includes electronic components and oil refining.