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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 (/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 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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