About Texas State
Steeped in cowboy lore, the state of Texas is a true image of the American South. From the small town rodeo heritage and family barbecues to the live music festivals and football games in metro areas, Texas is happening as ever. To put it simply, life is too short not to saddle up in Texas.
The second largest state in the United States (both by area and population) is home to five major airports: Lubbock, El Paso, Dallas, Houston, and Austin. Austin, the state capital, is referred as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Houston, the largest city in Texas, is known for the world-famous Space Center.
History of Texas
Archaeologists have discovered that three major indigenous cultures inhabited this territory before European settlers arrived in the 16th century. These were the Pueblo, the Mississippi culture and the culture of Mesoamerica.
The term "six flags over Texas" refers to the fact that six nations have claimed sovereignty over the state at various points of history. These states are Spain, France, Mexico, the United States, the Republic of Texas, and the Confederate States of America. The US made claims to the territory as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1845, Texas was annexed by the US as its 28th state.
Geography of Texas
Texas is situated in the south central region of the United States. 'The Lone Star State' shares an international border with Mexico to the south and the US states of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. To the southeast lies the Gulf of Mexico. From northern panhandles to southern coastal plains, its total area is 268,820 square miles which is the largest in the contiguous US.
The state has 10 climatic regions, 14 different types of soil regions, and 11 distinct ecological regions. The Texas Almanac classifies the state into four regions: Gulf Coastal Plains, Interior Lowlands, Great Plains, and Basin and Range Province.
Tourism in Texas
The state is famous for inviting beaches along the Gulf Coast, rich wildlife, cultural festivals, and down-home cuisine. Major cities in Texas are: Austin, Houston, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.
The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the site of the Battle of the Alamo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Big Bend National Park, Padre Island, and Caddo Lake allow abundance of outdoor thrills. Other tourist attractions such as amusement parks, water parks, museums, and aquariums entertain all age groups. In short, the state holds treasures for everyone.
Education in Texas
The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University are the two most widely recognizable institutions in the state. The state's governing body of education ranks 36 public universities into three tiers. The state has as many as 1,000 public school districts.
Know more here.
Facts about Texas
- It was the 28th state to enter the union on December 29, 1845.
- No country in Europe is larger in area than Texas.
- Austin, the state capital, has the largest urban bat colony in the world.
- Rodeo is the official state sport of Texas. More Facts...
| Area | 268,820 sq mi (696,241 km2) |
| Population | 27,695,284 (2015 est) |
| Capital | Austin |
| Largest City | Houston |
| Time Zone | most of state Central: UTC 6/5 ,Tip of West Texas: Mountain: UTC 7/6 |
| Highest Point | Guadalupe Peak |
| Lowest Point | Gulf of Mexico |
| Official Website | www.texas.gov |
Last Updated on: July 25th, 2017
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