Quick Facts: Texas

Texas is a state located in the south-central region of the United States. It is bordered to the west by Mexico and New Mexico; to the north by New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas; to the east by Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana; to the south by Mexico, and the Gulf of Mexico.

ABBREVIATION: TX
NICKNAME: The Lone Star State
POPULATION: 31,290,831 (2024 est.)
CAPITAL: Austin
STATE BIRD: Mockingbird
STATE FLOWER: Bluebonnet
AREA: 52,419 sq. mi.
TIME ZONE: Most of state: Central, tip of West Texas: Mountain
ENTERED UNION: Dec. 29, 1845
ALTITUDE: High, 8,751 ft. Guadalupe Peak
CLIMATE: Varies widely. Coastal areas and eastern interior humid, with mild winters, hot summers. West very dry, with greater temperature range.

Here “big” is an adjective that never grows stale. Texas could accommodate all six states of New England-plus New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois.

No single characterization can apply equally to the moss-hung oak forests on its eastern borders, the bays and lagoons of the Gulf Coast, the black prairie soil extending from San Antonio to the Red River valley, the sandy lowlands of the Rio Grande, the rolling plains in the interior, and the sharp canyons of the Pecos River valley. Moreover, almost any one of Texas’ major industries would in itself be sufficient to make a smaller state wealthy.

On the semi-arid high plains around Lubbock, artesian wells help make it possible for Texas to grow over six million bales of cotton each year, more than any other state. When it comes to oil production, Texas dominates over the other states; as of 2011, the state’s 27 oil refineries produce 4,754,681 barrels of oil per day, with reserves totaling 7,014 million barrels.

The pecan is the state tree, and Texas orchards produce the third largest pecan crop in the country. The northern panhandle is a major source of the world’s helium; The Federal Helium Reserve in Amarillo provides 42% of the country’s helium and 35% of the world’s supply.

No doubt, it’s a big state, name something, and Texas probably has it; unexploited coal, hurricanes, drought, floods, natural gas, sheep, citrus crops and so much more.

Palo Duro Canyon, near Amarillo, Texas

It was on the coastal plains south of San Antonio that the pioneers of the early 1800s founded the beef industry of the U.S. Later the yearly cattle drives along the Chisholm Trail towards Kansas became part of American lore. With an inventory of over 10 million cattle, Texas still remains the United States’ number one producer of beef.

Fun Facts:

Texas is bigger than the combined area of all seven countries in Central America. It is also bigger than every country in Europe except Russia.
In 1900 a storm surge caused by a hurricane killed over 6000 people in Galveston. (Estimates range anywhere from 6000-12,000 dead)
Six national flags have flown over Texas during the course of its history: Spanish, French, Mexican, Texan, Confederate, and American.
Texas is noted for having towns with strange names, such as Goodnight, Cut and Shoot, Wink, Muleshoe, North Zulch, Birthright, Turkey, and Noodle. A city named Iraan is made up of the first names of Ira and Ann Yates who struck oil on their farm in 1926.
Both the silicon computer chip and the electronic calculator were invented by engineers at a company named Texas Instruments.
Most states entered the United States by way of territorial annexation, but Texas is the only state to enter by treaty.

History:

The history of Texas is one of independence, cultural diversity, and dramatic transformation. From its Native American roots to its role as a republic, and later a U.S. state, Texas has long held a unique place in American history and identity.

Long before European contact, Texas was home to a wide variety of Native American tribes, including the Caddo in the east, the Comanche and Apache in the west, and the Karankawa along the Gulf Coast. These groups developed rich cultures, economies, and social systems adapted to their environments.

In the early 1500s, Spanish explorers began arriving in what is now Texas. Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was one of the first Europeans to explore the region in 1528. Spain later established missions, presidios (forts), and settlements, particularly in eastern and southern Texas, in an effort to convert Indigenous people to Christianity and solidify control over the territory. For over 300 years,

Texas remained under Spanish rule, later transitioning briefly to Mexican control after Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821.

Under Mexican rule, Texas became part of the state of Coahuila y Tejas. The Mexican government encouraged American settlers to move into Texas, offering land grants to boost the population. Thousands of settlers, known as “Texians,” arrived, bringing enslaved African Americans and distinct cultural practices with them.

Over time, tensions grew between these settlers and the Mexican government, particularly over issues like slavery, self-governance, and immigration policies.

These tensions led to the Texas Revolution in 1835–1836. Key battles such as the Siege of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, where General Sam Houston’s forces defeated the Mexican army, secured Texas’s independence.

On March 2, 1836, Texas declared itself an independent republic. For nearly a decade, it existed as the Republic of Texas, with its own president, military, and constitution.

In 1845, Texas was annexed by the United States, sparking the Mexican-American War. After the war ended in 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo confirmed U.S. control over Texas and much of the American Southwest.

During the 19th century, Texas expanded rapidly, attracting settlers and developing agriculture, cattle ranching, and oil industries.

Texas joined the Confederacy during the Civil War but was largely spared from major battles. After the war, it was readmitted to the Union in 1870 during Reconstruction. The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 transformed the Texas economy, ushering in an era of rapid industrialization and wealth.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Texas became known not just for oil and ranching, but also for its urban growth, high-tech industries, and cultural impact. Cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio became major centers for business, education, and the arts.

Today, Texas is one of the most populous and economically powerful states in the U.S. Its history—from Indigenous heritage and Spanish colonization to revolution, independence, and modern innovation—remains central to the identity and pride of its people.