State of Texas

State of Texas
Paul B. Joiner · Public domain · source
Name	Texas
Nickname	"Lone Star State"
Capital	Austin, Texas
Largest city	Houston
Admitted to union	April 29, 1845
Population	29 million (2020 census)
Area rank	2nd
Area total km2	695662
Motto	"Friendship"

State of Texas

Texas is a U.S. state in the South Central region of the United States, noted for its size, regional diversity, and distinct historical trajectory involving Spanish Texas, Mexican Texas, the Republic of Texas, and annexation into the United States. The state's major urban centers include Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Texas, and Fort Worth, each linked to industries such as oil, technology, aerospace, finance, and agriculture.

History

European exploration and colonization in the region involved expeditions by Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, Hernán Cortés, and later missions established by Spanish Empire authorities and Franciscan missionaries. The area formed part of the colony of New Spain and later the state of Coahuila y Tejas in First Mexican Republic. Anglo-American settlement increased under empresarios like Stephen F. Austin, triggering tensions culminating in the Texas Revolution and battles at Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto. Following the Treaty of Velasco, the Republic of Texas existed as an independent nation before annexation by the United States in 1845 and subsequent participation in the Mexican–American War. During the 19th century Texas institutions and society were shaped by plantation economy, slavery in the United States, and the Civil War alignment with the Confederate States of America. Reconstruction-era politics involved federal military presence and figures such as Edmund J. Davis. The 20th century saw economic transformation driven by discoveries at the Spindletop oil field, growth of Texas Instruments, NASA's Johnson Space Center, and urban expansion in metropolitan areas like the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and Greater Houston. Civil rights movements in Texas intersected with leaders and events including Hispanic civil rights movement, Chicano Movement, and court cases at the Supreme Court of the United States. Contemporary political history references elected officials such as Lyndon B. Johnson, George W. Bush, and issues involving immigration to the United States, energy policy of the United States, and federal-state relations.

Geography and Environment

Texas spans diverse physiographic regions such as the Gulf Coastal Plain, Piney Woods, Blackland Prairie, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Llano Estacado, Trans-Pecos, and the Chihuahuan Desert. Major rivers include the Rio Grande, Red River (Texas–Oklahoma), and Brazos River, while significant bodies of water include Galveston Bay and Caddo Lake. The state contains varied protected areas and conservation units like Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, and Padre Island National Seashore. Texas climate ranges from humid subtropical in regions surrounding Houston and Dallas to semiarid and arid in west Texas and the Permian Basin, with weather phenomena including hurricanes, tornadoes, and episodes tied to El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Biodiversity features species such as the Texas horned lizard and habitats for migratory birds along the Central Flyway.

Demographics

Texas is home to a large and diverse population comprising many ethnic and cultural groups, including descendants of Tejanos, Mexican Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and immigrant communities from Vietnam, India, China, Philippines, and Nigeria. Urbanization is concentrated in metropolitan regions like the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area, Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, San Antonio–New Braunfels metropolitan area, and Austin–Round Rock metropolitan area. Languages commonly spoken include English language, Spanish language, and numerous heritage languages. Religious affiliation spans institutions such as the Catholic Church in the United States, Southern Baptist Convention, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Islam in the United States, and Jewish congregations represented by B'nai B'rith. Demographic trends reflect immigration, birth rates, and internal migration patterns that influence representation in bodies like the United States House of Representatives and statewide political dynamics.

Economy

Texas has a large and diversified economy with sectors including the oil and gas industry, petrochemical, agriculture, information technology, aerospace, biotechnology, financial services, and manufacturing. Historic oil discoveries such as Spindletop catalyzed growth of firms and institutions including ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Chevron Corporation, and regional headquarters of companies like AT&T, Dell Technologies, Sysco, and Texas Instruments. The state hosts major ports like the Port of Houston and Port of Galveston facilitating trade tied to NAFTA and later United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement. Agriculture products include cattle from the Texas cattle ranching tradition, cotton, and rice. Energy transition debates engage stakeholders including United States Department of Energy, renewable firms, and regional utilities such as Oncor Electric Delivery.

Government and Politics

Texas operates under a state constitution adopted in 1876 and features governance structures centered in Austin, Texas with roles filled by elected officials including the Governor of Texas and the Lieutenant Governor of Texas. The state's judiciary includes the Supreme Court of Texas and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Political life in Texas has involved parties such as the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, influential political figures like Sam Houston, Ann Richards, Rick Perry, and recent governors. Texas participates in federal institutions such as the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives and maintains law enforcement agencies including the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers. Policy debates often center around issues involving healthcare in the United States, education in the United States, immigration to the United States, taxation, and energy regulation, as they relate to state statutes and rulings from the Supreme Court of the United States.

Culture and Education

Texas culture is shaped by traditions including cowboy culture, Tex-Mex cuisine, and musical genres such as country music, blues, Tejano music, and Austin City Limits-era performers. Literary and artistic contributions involve writers like Larry McMurtry and institutions such as the Blanton Museum of Art, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Kimbell Art Museum, Dallas Museum of Art, and performing venues like the Houston Grand Opera and Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Higher education features public systems like the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, and Texas Tech University, as well as private institutions including Rice University and Southern Methodist University. Sports teams include Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets, contributing to professional and collegiate athletics culture.

Infrastructure and Transportation

Texas transportation networks encompass interstate highways such as Interstate 10, Interstate 35, and Interstate 45, major airports including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, and freight rail corridors operated by companies like Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway. Maritime commerce is centered at facilities like the Port of Houston and Port of Corpus Christi. Urban transit systems include METRO (Houston), Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Critical infrastructure also covers electric power transmission managed by regional organizations such as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and major pipelines associated with the Permian Basin and Gulf Coast energy complex.

Category:States of the United States