Texas

Texas is the most populous state in the Southern United States. It is the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population, covering 268,596 square miles and home to over 31.7 million people. Texas is known as the "Lone Star State" because of the single star on its flag, which reminds us of its time as an independent country called the Republic of Texas.

Spain was the first European country to claim Texas. Later, it became part of Mexico and then joined the United States in 1845 as the 28th state. The state has a rich history, including the Texas Revolution and a period as part of the Confederate States during the American Civil War.

Today's Texas has a strong and varied economy. Important industries include cattle, cotton, oil, technology, and many others. The state is a leader in tourism, agriculture, energy, computers, aerospace, and more. Big cities like the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and Greater Houston are among the most populous urban areas in the nation, while Austin, the capital, is known for its culture and technology scene. Texas's landscape is also very diverse, ranging from coastal swamps and pine forests in the east to deserts and mountains in the west.

Etymology

The name Texas comes from the Caddo word táy:shaʼ, meaning 'friend'. The Spanish used the spelling Tejas or Texas when referring to the Caddo people, especially the Hasinai Confederacy.

During Spanish colonial rule, the area was called Nuevas Filipinas ('New Philippines') or provincia de los Tejas. Later, it became part of the Mexican Empire in 1821 and declared a republic in 1836. Both Tejas and Texas are accepted Spanish spellings of the name.

History

Texas lies between two major cultural spheres of Pre-Columbian North America: the Southwestern and the Plains areas. Indigenous cultures such as the Ancestral Puebloans, Mississippian culture, and civilizations of Mesoamerica all influenced the region before European contact. When Europeans arrived, various Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Apache, and Comanche, inhabited the land.

The history of Texas as a state began with European exploration in the 16th century. Spanish missionaries established settlements, and later, the area became part of Mexico. Tensions over slavery and governance led to the Texas Revolution in the 1830s, resulting in Texas becoming an independent republic. In 1845, Texas joined the United States, which led to the Mexican-American War. Through the 19th and 20th centuries, Texas grew and changed, becoming a major economic and cultural center in the United States.

Main article: History of Texas

Further information: Pre-Columbian Mexico and Native American tribes in Texas

Geography

Main article: Geography of Texas

Texas is the second-largest U.S. state by area, after Alaska. It is bigger than all of the states in the contiguous United States combined. If Texas were its own country, it would be the 39th-largest in the world.

Texas sits in the south central part of the United States. It shares borders with Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and four Mexican states: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. The Rio Grande forms a natural boundary with Mexico. Texas also has a coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.

The state has many different landscapes. In the southeast, you’ll find the Gulf Coastal Plains with thick pine forests. Central Texas has the Great Plains and Llano Estacado, which are mostly prairies and steppes. Far West Texas, called the “Trans-Pecos”, has deserts, mountains, and grasslands.

Texas has many rivers, with the Rio Grande being the longest. Other major rivers include the Brazos, Colorado, and Red River. Although Texas doesn’t have many natural lakes, people have built over a hundred artificial reservoirs.

The weather in Texas changes a lot. The Panhandle has cold winters, while the Gulf Coast stays mild. Some parts get a lot of rain—up to 64 inches a year—while places like El Paso get only about 9 inches. Snow is rare except in the Panhandle and West Texas mountains. Summers can be very hot, especially along the coast.

Texas sees many storms, especially thunderstorms and tornadoes. The state leads the U.S. in tornadoes, with about 139 each year. Hurricanes also hit Texas often. Some famous ones include the 1900 Galveston hurricane, Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and Hurricane Ike in 2008. These storms can cause a lot of damage.

As of 2017, Texas produced the most greenhouse gases in the United States. This is mostly because of its many coal power plants and busy industries. If Texas were a country, it would be one of the top polluters in the world.

Texas has three big cities—Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas—each with over a million people. There are also many smaller cities and towns. The state is divided into 254 counties, the most of any state. Each county has its own government, led by a group of elected commissioners and a county judge.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Texas

Texas is a very big state with lots of people. In 2020, about 29 million people lived there, and by 2024, that number grew to around 31 million. It is the second most populous state in the United States, just after California.

Many people in Texas come from other countries. In 2020, over 4 million people were born in another country, mostly from Mexico. Texas also has people from India, El Salvador, Vietnam, and China. Some of these people became U.S. citizens, while others are still waiting to become citizens.

Texas has many different kinds of people. In 2020, about 40% of people were White, 12% were Black, 5% were Asian, and 40% were Hispanic or Latino. This means many different cultures and languages live together in Texas.

Race and ethnicity

In 2020, Texas had a mix of racial and ethnic groups. About 43% of the population was White (including both Hispanic and non-Hispanic), 12% was Black, 5% was Asian, and around 40% was Hispanic or Latino. This diversity makes Texas a colorful place to live.

Languages

People in Texas speak many languages. Most people, about 65%, speak only English at home. But many others speak Spanish, which is the second most common language. Some people also speak Vietnamese, Chinese, French, German, and many other languages. This shows how many different cultures call Texas home.

Religion

Texas has many different religions. Most people are Christian, with many belonging to Catholic or Protestant churches. There are also Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu communities, especially in big cities. Some people do not follow any religion at all. This variety means people in Texas have many ways to practice their beliefs.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Texas

See also: Texas locations by per capita income and Texas Stock Exchange

Texas has a very big economy. As of 2024, it had a gross state product of $2.664 trillion, the second highest of any U.S. state. This is more than the entire economy of Brazil, which is the 8th largest in the world. Texas is also home to many big businesses, with the second-highest number of Fortune 500 companies in the United States.

The state's economy is diverse, with strong areas in farming, energy, technology, and transportation. Texas has many farms and leads the nation in livestock and cotton production. It is also a top producer of oil and natural gas. The state has many technology companies, especially in areas like Austin, known as the "Silicon Hills." Texas has important transportation networks, including many highways, airports, and ports, making it a key hub for moving goods across the country and to other countries.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Texas

See also: List of Texas symbols

Texas culture is a mix of Southern, Western, and Southwestern influences. Foods like the breakfast burrito show this mix, combining ingredients from different traditions. Over time, people from many parts of the world have moved to Texas, adding to its rich culture.

Texas is famous for its cowboys and country music. The state is also known for its oil history and the popular slogan "Don't Mess with Texas," which started as an ad against littering. Texans often use the phrase "everything is bigger in Texas" to describe the state's large size and spirit.

Further information: Music of Texas

Houston has many important theaters and music groups. Dallas and Austin are known for their lively music scenes, especially jazz, blues, and country. San Antonio is famous for Tejano music.

Main article: Sports in Texas

Further information: List of University Interscholastic League events

Texas has many professional sports teams, including NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL teams. College football is very popular, with many big rivalries between schools. Texans also love rodeos, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest in the world. The state also hosts big car races and has teams in other sports like lacrosse.

Education

Main article: Education in Texas

Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second president of the Republic of Texas, is called the “Father of Texas Education.” He set aside land in each county for public schools and for two universities, creating the basis for the state's public school system.

Texas has over 1,000 school districts, all managed by the Texas Education Agency. Students take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) to check their skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Further information: List of colleges and universities in Texas

Texas is home to many famous universities. The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University are two of the best-known schools in the state. Texas also has many private universities, such as Rice University and Baylor University. The state has three presidential libraries located on university campuses.

Healthcare

Main article: Healthcare in Texas

See also: List of hospitals in Texas

Texas has many elite research medical centers, including the Texas Medical Center in Houston, which holds the world's largest concentration of research and healthcare institutions. Texas is home to two Biosafety Level 4 laboratories, one at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and the other at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio.

The state also has many medical schools and highly ranked research institutions, such as the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the South Texas Medical Center in San Antonio. Dallas is home to the American Heart Association and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, which employs the most medical school Nobel laureates in the world.

Government and politics

The current Texas Constitution was adopted in 1876. It provides for a separation of powers and has a larger Bill of Rights than the federal government.

Texas has a plural executive branch system where voters elect officials independently, including the governor, lieutenant governor, and other key positions. The bicameral Texas Legislature includes a House of Representatives and a Senate. The judiciary of Texas includes two top courts for civil and criminal cases.

Texas voters tend to support Republican candidates, especially in rural and suburban areas, while cities like Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso often lean Democratic. The state has a strong reputation for fiscal conservatism and socially conservative values.

Main article: Government of Texas

Further information: Law of Texas

See also: List of Texas state agencies

Main article: Politics of Texas

Further information: Political party strength in Texas

See also: Republican Party of Texas and Texas Democratic Party

Main article: Crime in Texas

See also: List of law enforcement agencies in Texas