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Texas

state of the United States of America

Texas (/ˈtɛksəs/, also locally /ˈtɛksɪz/ American Spanish: [tejaz][8]), officially the State of Texas, is a state in the South Central Region of the United States. It is the second largest US state by total area (after Alaska) with 268,596 sq mi (695,662 km2) and population (after California) with nearly 29 million people as of 2019. Its largest cities are Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso, and Austin, the capital city.

Texas
State
State of Texas
Flag of Texas
Flag
Official seal of Texas
Seal
Nickname: 
The Lone Star State
Motto: 
Friendship
Anthem: "Texas, Our Texas"
Map of the United States with Texas highlighted
Map of the United States with Texas highlighted
CountryUnited States
Before statehoodRepublic of Texas
Admitted to the UnionDecember 29, 1845 (28th)
CapitalAustin
Largest cityHouston
Largest metro and urban areasDallas–Fort Worth
Government
 • GovernorGreg Abbott (R)
 • Lieutenant GovernorDan Patrick (R)
LegislatureTexas Legislature
 • Upper houseSenate
 • Lower houseHouse of Representatives
JudiciarySupreme Court of Texas (Civil)
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (Criminal)
U.S. senatorsJohn Cornyn (R)
Ted Cruz (R)
U.S. House delegation23 Republicans
13 Democrats (list)
Area
 • Total268,596 sq mi (695,662 km2)
 • Land261,232 sq mi (676,587 km2)
 • Water7,365 sq mi (19,075 km2)  2.7%
 • Rank2nd
Dimensions
 • Length801[1] mi (1,289 km)
 • Width773[1] mi (1,244 km)
Elevation
1,700 ft (520 m)
Highest elevation
(Guadalupe Peak[2][3][4])
8,751 ft (2,667.4 m)
Lowest elevation
(Gulf of Mexico[3])
0 ft (0 m)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total29,183,290[5]
 • Rank2nd
 • Density176/sq mi (67.9/km2)
  • Rank23rd
 • Median household income
$64,034[6]
 • Income rank
23rd
Demonym(s)Texan
Texian (archaic)
Tejano (usually only used for Hispanics)
Language
 • Official languageNo official language
(see Languages spoken in Texas)
 • Spoken languagePredominantly English;
Spanish is spoken by a sizable minority[7]
Time zones
Majority of stateUTC−06:00 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−05:00 (CDT)
El Paso, Hudspeth, and northwestern Culberson countiesUTC−07:00 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−06:00 (MDT)
USPS abbreviation
TX
ISO 3166 codeUS-TX
Traditional abbreviationTex.
Latitude25°50′ N to 36°30′ N
Longitude93°31′ W to 106°39′ W
Websitetexas.gov
Texas state symbols
Flag of Texas
Living insignia
BirdNorthern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
FishGuadalupe bass (Micropterus treculii)
FlowerBluebonnet (Lupinus spp., namely Texas bluebonnet, L. texensis)
InsectMonarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
MammalTexas longhorn, nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)
ReptileTexas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)
TreePecan (Carya illinoinensis)
Inanimate insignia
FoodChili
InstrumentGuitar
ShellLightning whelk (Busycon perversum pulleyi)
ShipUSS Texas
SloganThe Friendly State
SoilHouston Black
SportRodeo
OtherMolecule: Buckyball (For more, see article)
State route marker
Texas state route marker
State quarter
Texas quarter dollar coin
Released in 2004
Lists of United States state symbols

Texas became the 28th state in the United States in 1845. Texas has been controlled by Spain, France, the Confederate States of America, and Mexico. It declared its independence from Mexico in 1836. It was its own country, the Republic of Texas, for 9 years (1836–1845). It is called the "Lone Star State" and its flag has one star.

There are many tourist attractions in Texas. Fort Worth is known for its stockyards. Amarillo is known for the cattle business and stockyards. In Dallas, industrial technology companies including Texas Instruments and EDS have their home offices. San Antonio has The Alamo. Houston has the Johnson Space Center. Austin has the University of Texas at Austin. Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Baylor University in Waco and the University of North Texas in Denton are other important universities in the state.

Name

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The state's name derives from táyshay, a word in the Caddoan language of the Hasinai (a Native American tribe), which means "allies" or "friends."

History

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Texas was first explored in 1528 by Spanish explorers on accident (they were shipwrecked on the coast). It did not become a colony until 1685, when France claimed it. In response, Spain started a rival colony in 1691 by setting up a religious outpost in the eastern part of Texas. Spain did not come back to Texas until 1716 to protect its colonies in the west from French forces. Two years later, San Antonio was founded.

The pressure between the Spaniards and Native Americans in East Texas stopped many settlers from coming to Texas. To stop the violence and the increasing Native American raids, Spain called a truce between many tribes in 1745 and 1789.

Tensions rose in Texas after the United States bought a large amount of nearby land from France in 1803. This was the Louisiana Purchase. People began wondering whether Spain or the United States could claim Texas.

Mexico won the Mexican War of Independence in 1821. Mexico, including Texas, was free from the Spanish Empire. Americans and other settlers came into Texas when Mexico allowed non-Spanish settlers to settle here. After many settlers came to Texas, Mexico started taxing non-citizens. This outraged many settlers. Many were already angry because Mexico banned slavery.

Politics in Mexico became violent and several Mexican States declared independence. On March 2, 1836, Texas declared independence from Mexico and soon they were at war. Texas won, but Mexico refused to recognize Texas as an independent sovereign Republic. Texas soon requested entry to the United States. Years later, in 1845, the US added Texas as a state,[9] and Mexico broke off diplomatic relations. Mexico resisted offers by the U.S. to buy land extending from Texas to the Pacific Ocean. In 1846, a dispute over the border between Texas and Mexico resulted in armed conflict, and the Mexican-American War began. The United States won the war, and by the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, in 1848 won lands that later formed the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, southwestern Colorado, and southwestern Wyoming. Mexico received 15 million dollars and gave up its claims to Texas.

After Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States, Texas joined the newly formed Confederate States of America in 1861 and fought in the American Civil War in an attempt to become independent from the United States. The Confederates lost to the Union (the United States) in 1865. Texas was restored to full representation in Congress on March 30, 1870.

On January 10, 1901, oil was found in Texas, leading to the founding of a richer economy. During a time when the economy was poor, many people left Texas. Texas did not regain the population it had lost until the 1950s and 60s. In recent years, Texas has become a hub for technology and computers.

Geography

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Texas is the second biggest state in the Union (after Alaska) and is bigger than every European country except Russia. It has mountains, forests, deserts, plains, and coasts. The largest river in Texas is the Rio Grande, which forms the border between Mexico and the United States throughout south Texas. The highest mountain in Texas is Guadalupe Peak.

Most of Texas is in Central Time, but El Paso in Western Texas is in Mountain Time.[10]

Economy

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Texas has the second largest economy in the United States after the economy of California. It had a gross state product of US$1.887 trillion in 2019.[11] Texas was home to six of the top 50 companies on the Fortune 500 list in 2015 (third most after New York and California).[12] In 2017, Texas grossed more than US$264.5 billion a year in exports—more than the exports of California (US$172 billion) and New York (US$77.9 billion) combined.[13][14][15] As a sovereign country, in 2016, Texas would be the 10th largest economy in the world by gross domestic product (GDP), ahead of South Korea and Canada and behind Brazil.[16]

List of counties in Texas

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Further information: List of counties in Texas

A

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Counties Seat Image Map
A
Anderson Palestine    
Andrews Andrews    
Angelina Lufkin    
Aransas Rockport    
Archer Archer City    
Armstrong Claude    
Austin Bellville    
B
Bailey Muleshoe    
Bandera Bandera    
Bastrop Bastrop    
Baylor Seymour    
Bee Beeville    
Bell Belton    
Bexar San Antonio    
Blanco Johnson City    
Borden Gail  
Bosque Meridian    
Bowie New Boston  
Brazoria Angleton    
Brewster Alpine    
Briscoe Silverton    
Brooks Falfurrias    
Brown Brownwood    
Burleson Caldwell    
Burnet Burnet    
C
Caldwell Lockhart    
Calhoun Port Lavaca    
Callahan Baird    
Cameron Brownsville    
Camp Pittsburg    
Carson Pandhandle    
Cass Linden    
Castro Dimmit    
Chambers Anahauc    
Cherokee Rusk    
Childress Childress    
Clay Henrietta    
Cochran Morton  
Coke Robert Lee    
Coleman Coleman    
Collin McKinney    
Collingsworth Wellington    
Colorado Columbus    
Comal New Braunfels    
Comanche Comanche  
Concho Paint Rock    
Cooke Gainesville    
Coryell Gatesville    
Cottle Paducah    
Crance Crane    
Crockett Ozona    
Crosby Crosbyton    
Culberson Van Horn    
D
Dallam Dalhart    
Dallas Dallas    
Dawson Lamesa    
Deaf Smith Hereford    
Delta Cooper    
Denton Denton    
DeWitt Cuero    
Dickens Dickens    
Dimmit Carrizo Springs    
Donley Clarendon    
Duval San Diego    
E
Eastland Eastland    
Ector Odessa    
Edwards Rocksprings    
Ellis Waxahachie    
El Paso El Paso    
Erath Stephenville    
F
Falls Marlin    
Fannin Bonham    
Fayette La Grange    
Fisher Roby    
Floyd Floydada  
Foard Crowell    
Fort Bend Richmond    
Franklin Mt. Vernon    
Freestone Fairfield    
Frio Pearsall    
G
Gaines Seminole    
Galveston Galveston    
Garza Post    
Gillespie Fredericksburg    
Glasscock Garden City  
Goliad Goliad    
Gonzales Gonzales  
Gray Pampa    
Grayson Sherman    
Gregg Longview    
Grimes Anderson    
Guadalupe Seguin  
H
Hale Plainview    
Hall Memphis    
Hamilton Hamilton    
Hansford Spearman    
Hardeman Quanah    
Hardin Kountze    
Harris Houston    
Harrison Marshall    
Hartley Channing    
Haskell Haskell    
Hays San Marcos    
Hemphill Canadian    
Henderson Athens    
Hidalgo Edinburg    
Hill Hillsboro    
Hockley Levelland  
Hood Granbury    
Hopkins Sulphur Springs    
Houston Crockett    
Howard Big Spring  
Hudspeth Sierra Blanca    
Hunt Greenville    
Hutchinson Stinnett    
I
Irion Mertzon  
J
Jack Jacksboro    
Jackson Edna  
Jasper Jasper    
Jeff Fort Davis    
Jefferson Beaumont    
Jim Hogg Hebbronville    
Jim Wells Alice    
Johnson Cleburne    
Jones Anson    
K
Karnes Karnes City    
Kaufman Kaufman    
Kendall Boerne    
Kenedy Sarita   190px
Kent Jayton    
Kerr Kerrville    
Kimble Junction    
King Guthrie  
Kinney Brackettville    
Kleberg Kingsville    
Knox Benjamin    
L
Lamar Paris    
Lamb Littlefield  
Lampasas Lampasas    
La Salle Cotulla    
Lavaca Hallettsville    
Lee Giddings    
Leon Centerville    
Liberty Liberty
Limestone Groesbeck    
Lipscomb Lipscomb    
Live Oak George West    
Llano Llano    
Loving Mentone  
Lubbock Lubbock  
Lynn Tahoka    
M
McCulloch Brady    
McLennan Waco    
McMullen Tilden    
Madison Madisonville    
Marion Jefferson    
Martin Stanton    
Mason Mason    
Matagorda Bay City    
Maverick Eagle Pass    
Medina Hondo    
Menard Menard    
Midland Midland    
Milam Cameroon    
Mills Goldthwaite    
Mitchell Colorado City  
Montague Montague  
Montgomery Conroe    
Moore Dumas    
Morris Daingerfield  
Motley Matador    
N
Nacogdoches Nacogdoches    
Navarro Corsicana    
Newton Newton    
Nolan Sweetwater    
Nueces Corpus Christi    
O
Ochiltree Perryton    
Oldham Vega    
Orange Orange    
P
Palo Pinto Palo Pinto  
Panola Carthage    
Parker Weatherford    
Parmer Farwell    
Pecos Fort Stockton    
Polk Livingston    
Potter Amarillo    
Presidio Marfa    
R
Rains Emory    
Randall Canyon    
Reagan Big Lake    
Real Leakey    
Red Clarksville    
Reeves Pecos    
Refugio Refugio    
Roberts Miami    
Robertson Franklin    
Rockwall Rockwall    
Runnels Ballinger    
Rusk Henderson    
S
Sabine Hemphill    
San Augustine San Augustine    
San Jacinto Coldspring    
San Patricio Sinton    
San Saba San Saba    
Schleicher Eldorado    
Scurry Snyder    
Shackelford Albany    
Shelby Center    
Sherman Stratford    
Smith Tyler    
Sowervell Glen Rose    
Starr Rio Grande  
Stephens Breckenridge    
Sterling Sterling City    
Stonewall Aspermont    
Sutton Sonora    
Swisher Tulia    
T
Tarrant Fort Worth  
Taylor Abilene  
Terrell Sanderson    
Terry Brownfield    
Throckmorton Throckmorton    
Titus Mt. Pleasant    
Tom Green San Angelo    
Travis Austin    
Trinity Groveton    
Tyler Woodville    
U
Upshur Gilmer    
Upton Rankin    
Uvalde Uvalde    
V
Val Verde Del Rio    
Van Zandt Canton    
Victoria Victoria    
W
Walker Huntsville    
Waller Hempstead    
Ward Monahans    
Washington Brenham    
Webb Laredo    
Wharton Wharton  
Wheeler Wheeler    
Wichita Wichita Falls    
Wilbarger Vernon    
Willacy Raymondville    
Williamson Georgestown    
Wilson Floresville    
Winkler Kermit    
Wise Decatur    
Wood Quitman    
Y
Yoakum Plains    
Young Graham    
Z
Zapata Zapata    
Zavala Crystal City  
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References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Texas.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Environment. Texas Almanac. 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  2. ↑ "El Capitan". NGS data sheet. U.S. National Geodetic Survey.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Elevations and Distances in the United States". United States Geological Survey. 2001. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  4. ↑ Elevation adjusted to North American Vertical Datum of 1988.
  5. ↑ Bureau, US Census (April 26, 2021). "2020 Census Apportionment Results". The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 27, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ↑ "Median Annual Household Income". The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  7. ↑ Texas—Languages. MLA. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  8. ↑ Wells, John C. (1982). Accents of English. Volume 3: Beyond the British Isles (pp. i–xx, 467–674). Cambridge University Press. p. 551. ISBN 0-52128541-0.
  9. ↑ "Resolutions" (PDF). Twenty-ninth Congress. 1845. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Mountain Time Zone Boundary". www.timetemperature.com. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Gross domestic product (GDP) by state (millions of current dollars)". Bureau of Economic Analysis. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  12. ↑ "FORTUNE 500 2011: States". CNN.
  13. ↑ "State Exports for TEXAS". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  14. ↑ "State Exports for CALIFORNIA". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  15. ↑ "State Exports for NEW YORK". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  16. ↑ "In Opinion: If states were countries by economic output, California would be France". Newsweek. June 11, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
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