Oklahoma

Oklahoma
Name	Oklahoma
Nickname	The Sooner State
Motto	Labor Omnia Vincit (Latin)
Capital	Oklahoma City
Largest city	Oklahoma City
Admission date	November 16, 1907
Admission rank	46th
Governor	Kevin Stitt
Lieutenant governor	Matt Pinnell
Legislature	Oklahoma Legislature
Senators	James Lankford (R), Markwayne Mullin (R)
Time zone	Central
Postal abbreviation	OK
Area rank	20th
Area total sq mi	69,899
Population rank	28th
Population total	4,053,824
Population density sq mi	58.0
Website	www.ok.gov

Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Colorado. The state's capital and largest city is Oklahoma City, with other major metropolitan areas including Tulsa and Norman.

History

The region has been inhabited for millennia by numerous indigenous cultures, including the Caddoan Mississippian culture and later the Plains Indians. In the 19th century, it became a destination for forcibly relocated tribes from the Southeastern United States along routes like the Trail of Tears, earning it the historical designation of Indian Territory. The Land Run of 1889 opened unassigned lands to non-Native settlement, with participants known as "Sooners" entering early. It joined the Union as the 46th state on November 16, 1907. The early 20th century saw significant events like the Green Corn Rebellion and the Tulsa race massacre. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s caused severe ecological and economic hardship, depicted in works like John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Major 20th-century incidents include the Oklahoma City bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

Geography

The state encompasses diverse terrain, from the forested Ouachita Mountains in the southeast to the high plains of the Panhandle. Major waterways include the Arkansas River, the Red River of the South, and the Canadian River. It lies within the Great Plains and features notable natural landmarks like the Wichita Mountains and Turner Falls. The state experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent severe weather, being part of Tornado Alley, with meteorological research centered in Norman at the National Weather Center and the Storm Prediction Center.

Demographics

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population exceeds 4 million people. It has one of the nation's largest Native American populations, with 39 federally recognized tribes, including the Cherokee Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Significant ancestry groups include German, Irish, English, and African American. Major religious affiliations are Protestantism and Evangelicalism, with a notable presence of the Southern Baptist Convention. The largest urban centers are the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and the Tulsa metropolitan area.

Economy

Historically driven by agriculture and oil, the state remains a major energy producer, with companies like Devon Energy and Continental Resources headquartered there. Other key sectors include aerospace and biotechnology, anchored by facilities like Tinker Air Force Base, the American Airlines maintenance hub in Tulsa, and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The state is a top producer of natural gas, beef, and wheat. Tourism draws visitors to attractions such as the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Philbrook Museum of Art, and Route 66.

Culture

The state's cultural heritage is a blend of Midwestern, Southern, and Native American influences. It is known for its contributions to country music, with famed musicians like Woody Guthrie, Garth Brooks, and Reba McEntire. The Tulsa Sound is a distinctive musical genre. It is the setting of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!. Culinary specialties include Oklahoma-style barbecue, chicken-fried steak, and fried onion burgers. The state university system, led by the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, fuels a strong tradition in collegiate sports, particularly NCAA Division I football.

Government and politics

The government operates under the Constitution of Oklahoma, with an elected Governor and a bicameral Oklahoma Legislature consisting of the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The state's judiciary is headed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In recent decades, it has become a stronghold for the Republican Party, consistently supporting Republican candidates in presidential elections since 1968. Current federal representation includes Senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin, and a congressional delegation dominated by Republicans. Prominent political figures from the state have included former Speaker of the House Carl Albert and former Senator Jim Inhofe.

Category:Oklahoma Category:States of the United States Category:1907 establishments in the United States