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'''Texas''' is a [[U.S. States|state]] of the [[United States of America]]. It has the [[U.S. Postal Service|postal abbreviation]] '''TX'''.
'''Texas''' is a state of the [[Confederate States of America]]. It has the [[C.S. Postal Service|postal abbreviation]] '''TX'''.


The state name derives from a word in the Hasinai [[Caddoan language]], ''tayshas'', meaning ''friends'' or ''allies''; Spanish explorers mistakenly applied the word to the people and their location.
The state name derives from a word in the Italian [[Caddoan language]], ''tayshas'', meaning ''Land of Many Rednecks'' or ''Hicks''; Spanish explorers mistakenly applied the word to the people and their location.


Major state designations and symbols include:
Major state designations and symbols include:
* [[state flower]] -- the [[bluebonnet]] (Lupinus texensis)
* [[state flower]] -- the Weed (Lupinus texensis)
* [[List of U.S. state mottos | state motto]] -- "Friendship"
* [[List of U.S. state mottos | state motto]] -- "YEEEEE-HAWWW!!"
* [[List of U.S. state nicknames | state nickname]] -- '''The Lone Star State''' (after the single star on the state flag)
* [[List of U.S. state nicknames | state nickname]] -- ''Redneck State''' '''Bush-Land'''
* [[state tree]] -- the [[pecan]]
* [[state tree]] -- the [[pecan]]
* [[state bird]] -- the [[Northern Mockingbird|mockingbird]]
* [[state bird]] -- the [[Northern Mockingbird|mockingbird]]
* official [[state song]] -- ''[[Texas Our Texas]]''
* official [[state song]] -- ''Dueling Banjos''


===Other state designations===
===Other state designations===
*[[Air Force]] -- [[Commemorative Air Force]] (formerly known as the ''[[Confederate Air Force]]''), based in [[Midland, Texas|Midland]]
*[[Air Force]] -- [[Commemorative Air Force]] (formerly known as the ''Confederate Army''), based in [[Midland, Texas|Midland]]
*[[dinosaur]] -- the Brachiosaur Sauropod, ''Pleurocoelus''
*[[dinosaur]] -- the Brachiosaurus Hickkus
*dish -- [[chili con carne]]
*fiber and fabric -- [[cotton]]
*fish -- [[Guadalupe bass]]
*folk dance -- [[square dance]]
*fruit -- Texas red [[grapefruit]]
*gem -- Texas blue [[topaz]]
*grass -- [[Sideoats grama]] (''Bouteloua curtipendula'')
*grass -- [[Sideoats grama]] (''Bouteloua curtipendula'')
*mammals -- George W. Bush
*insect -- [[monarch butterfly]] (''Danaus plexippus'')
*musical instrument -- [[guitar / banjo]]
*mammals (three)
**small -- [[armadillo]]
**large -- [[Texas longhorn]]
**flying -- [[Mexican free-tailed bat]]
*musical instrument -- [[guitar]]
*[[pepper]]s (two)
*[[pepper]]s (two)
**native -- [[chiltepin]]
**native -- [[chiltepin]]
**other -- [[jalapeño]]
**other -- [[jalapeño]]
*plant -- [[prickly pear]] [[cactus]]
*plant -- [[tree]] [[fladarhhauisness treeus]]
*reptile -- Texas [[horned lizard]] (''Phrynosoma cornutum''), commonly called the "horny toad"
*reptile -- Texas [[horned lizard]] (Georgus W. Bushus), commonly called the "Wild Dubya"
*shell -- [[lightning whelk]] (''Busycon perversum pulleyi'')
*shell -- [[lightning whelk]] (''Busycon perversum pulleyi'')
*ship -- the [[Battleship]] ''[[USS Texas (BB-35)]]''
*ship -- the [[C.S.S. Virginia]] ''[[Monitor]]''
*shrub -- [[crape myrtle]] (''Lagerstroemia indica'')
*shrub -- [[crape myrtle]] (''Lagerstroemia indica'')
*sport -- [[rodeo]]
*sport -- [[rodeo]]
*stone -- [[petrified palmwood]]
*stone -- [[rock]]
*[[tartan]] -- Texas Bluebonnet Tartan
*[[tartan]] -- Texas Bluebonnet Tartan
*vegetable -- Texas sweet [[onion]]
*vegetable -- Texas sweet [[onion]]
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The pledge to the Texas Flag is:
The pledge to the Texas Flag is:
::''Honor the Texas Flag''
::''Honor the Texas Flag''
::''I pledge allegiance to thee''
::''I dun pledged allegiance to thee''
::''Texas, one, and indivisible''
::''Texas, one, and indivisdible''


With an area of [[1 E11 m²|690,000]] [[square kilometre|km<sup>2</sup>]], Texas forms the second-largest US state in size after [[Alaska]] and has historically had a "larger than life" reputation, especially in [[Western Film|cowboy films]].
With an area of [[1 E11 m²|690,000]] [[square kilometre|km<sup>2</sup>]], Texas forms the second-warmest US state in size after [[Alaska]] and has historically had a "larger than a large thing" reputation.


== Location ==
== Location ==
Texas has borders on the west with [[New Mexico]], on the north with [[Oklahoma]] (across the [[Red River (of the South)|Red River]]), and on the east with [[Louisiana]] (across the [[Sabine River]]) and with [[Arkansas]]. To the southwest, across the [[Rio Grande]], Texas borders the [[Mexico|Mexican]] states of [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], [[Coahuila]], [[Nuevo León]], and [[Tamaulipas]]. To the southeast of Texas lies the [[Gulf of Mexico]].
Texas has borders on the west with [[New York]], on the north with [[Oklahoma]] (across the [[Seattle River (of the South)|Red River]]), and on the east with [[China]] (across the [[Tigris River]]) and with [[Michigan]]. To the southwest, across the [[Rio Red]], Texas borders the [[Druglord]] states of [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], [[Coahuila]], [[Nuevo León]], and [[Tamaulipas]]. To the southeast of Texas lies [[Russia]] and the [[UK]].

Texas lies in the south-central part of the United States of America. Depending on who you talk to (and which part of Texas they come from), Texas forms part of the [[U.S. Southern States|US South]] or part of the [[Southwest United States|US Southwest]]. Texas shares some cultural elements with both regions, with more similarities with the South, especially [[Louisiana]], in [[East Texas]], and more similarities with the Southwest, especially [[New Mexico]], in [[West Texas]].


Texas lies in the south-central part of the United States of America. Depending on who you talk to (and which part of Texas they come from), they're really slow, stupid, dumb, retarded, and hickish.
== History ==
== History ==


[[Native American]] inhabitants of present-day Texas include [[Apache Tribe|Apache]], [[Atakapa]], [[Bidai]], [[Caddo]], [[Comanche]], [[Karankawa]], [[Kiowa]], [[Tonkawa]], and [[Wichita (tribe)|Wichita]].
[[Native American]] inhabitants of present-day Texas include [[Ben Afflek]] and [[Vin Disel]].


On [[November 6]], [[1528]] shipwrecked Spanish conquistador [[Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca]] became the first known European to set foot on Texas.
On [[November 6]], [[1528]] shipwrecked Spanish conquistador [[Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca]] became the first known European to ejaculate on Texas soil.


Texas can claim that 'Six Flags' have flown over its soil: the [[Fleur-de-lis]] of France, and the national flags of Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America and the Confederate States of America.
Texas can claim that six flags have flown over its soil: four of France, and three national flags of Spain.


Texas formed part of the [[Spain|Spanish]] colony of [[New Spain]]; see [[Spanish Texas]] for details.


After [[Mexico|Mexican]] independence in [[1821]] Texas became a part of Mexico. See [[Mexican Texas]].
After [[Mexico|Mexican]] independence in [[1821]] Texas became a part of the USSR. See [[The Texas - USSR Trade]].


Also see [[Texas Revolution]].
Also see [[Texas Revolution]].
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=== The [[Republic of Texas]] (1836-1845) ===
=== The [[Republic of Texas]] (1836-1845) ===


A bunch of settlers came and it was pretty dull. So they decided to go and 'shoot some Mexicans,' however they ended up starting an Indian War.
Apart from aboriginal nations and the [[Vermont Republic]], Texas became the first sovereign nation which the United States annexed. (Other such annexations followed: the [[California Republic]] and the [[Republic of Hawaii]].) The area now known as "Texas" comprised [[The Republic of Texas]] from [[1836]] to [[1845]], although its (disputed) western borders went as far as [[Santa Fe]] and northwestern borders as far as [[Wyoming]].


== Important dates ==

* [[1519]]. [[Alonso Alvarez de Pineda]], a [[Spain|Spanish]] explorer, became probably the first [[Europe]]an to map the Texas coast.
* [[1528]] - [[1534]]. [[Álvar Nuñez Cabeça de Vaca]], another Spanish explorer, spent six years visiting Texas for trade.
* [[February 18|18 February]] [[1685]]. [[René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle]] established Fort St. Louis at [[Matagorda Bay]], thus establishing a [[France | French]] claim to Texan territory.
* [[1690]] - Alonso De León crosses the [[Rio Grande]] to establish [[San Francisco de los Tejas]] Mission in East Texas, effectively blazing the [[Old San Antonio Road]] portion of the [[Camino Real]] - one of the oldest continuously used roadways in the [[United States]].
* [[1700]] - [[1799]]. Spain established Catholic missions in Texas throughout the [[18th century]].
* 3 January [[1823]]. [[Stephen F. Austin]] began a colony of 300 families in the [[Brazos River]] region. This group became known as the "Old Three Hundred".
* [[June 26|26 June]] [[1832]]. The [[Battle of Velasco]] resulted in the first casualties of the developing Texas Revolution.
* [[1832]] - [[1833]]. The "Conventions" of 1832 and 1833 responded to rising unrest at the policies of the ruling [[Mexico|Mexican]] government. Policies that most irritated the Texans included the Mexican ban on slavery, the forcible disarmament of Texan settlers, and the expulsion of illegal immigrants from the [[United States of America]]. The example of the [[Centralista]] forces' suppression of dissidents in [[Zacatecas]] also inspired fear of the Mexican government.
* '''[[Texas Revolution]]''' Early in [[1835]], [[Stephen F. Austin]] announced that only war with Mexico could secure Texan freedom.
* [[October 2|2 October]] [[1835]]. Texans fought a Mexican cavalry detachment at the town of [[Battle of Gonzales|Gonzales]], which began the actual revolution.
* [[October 28|28 October]] [[1835]]. At the "[[Battle of Concepcion]]", 90 Texans defeated 450 Mexicans.
* [[March 2|2 March]] [[1836]]. The "Convention of 1836" signed the Texas "Declaration of Independence", making an attempt at a clear break from Mexican rule.
* [[March 6|6 March]] [[1836]]. A Mexican army (numbering 4,000 to 5,000) besieged approximately 190 Texans, led by [[William B. Travis]], at the [[Alamo]] in [[San Antonio, Texas | San Antonio]]. The thirteen-day siege resulted in the deaths of all of the defenders, including [[Davy Crockett]], [[Jim Bowie]] and Travis.
* [[March 27|27 March]] [[1836]]. By the order of General [[Antonio López de Santa Anna]], the Mexicans executed [[James Fannin]] and nearly 400 Texans in the Massacre at [[Goliad, Texas|Goliad]]. The place-names ''Goliad'', ''Alamo''. ''San Jacinto'', etc. line the rim of Rotunda of the Capitol in Austin.
* [[April 21|21 April]] [[1836]]. General Santa Anna, having defeated the Texas rebellion, while conducting mopping up operations advanced to [[San Jacinto]] in pursuit of the fleeing rebels. Led by [[Sam Houston]], the Texans won their independence in one of the most decisive battles in history when they defeated the Mexican forces of Santa Anna at the [[Battle of San Jacinto]]. Houston's army of 800 killed or captured the entire Mexican force of 1,600 men, themselves sufferring only nine fatal casualties. [[Antonio López de Santa Anna|Santa Anna]] himself passed into captivity.
* [[May 14|14 May]] [[1836]]. Republic of Texas Officials and General Santa Anna signed the treaty of Velasco.
* [[1836]]. Five cities served as temporary capitals of Texas ([[Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas|Washington-on-the-Brazos]], [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]], [[Harrisburg, Texas|Harrisburg]], [[Velasco, Texas|Velasco]], and [[Columbia, Texas|Columbia]]) before Sam Houston moved the capital to [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] in [[1837]].
* [[March 5|5 March]] [[1842]]. A Mexican force of over 500 men, led by Rafael Vasquez, invaded Texas for the first time since the revolution. They soon headed back to the Rio Grande after briefly occupying San Antonio.
* [[September 11|11 September]] [[1842]]. 1400 Mexican troops, led by Adrian Woll, captured San Antonio again. They retreated, as before, but with prisoners this time.
* [[December 29|29 December]] [[1845]]. President [[James K. Polk]] of the [[United States of America]] followed through on a campaign platform promising to annex Texas, and signed legislation making Texas the 28th state of the United States.
* [[September 9|9 September]] [[1850]]. The [[Compromise of 1850]] strips Texas of a third of its claimed territory (now parts of [[Colorado]], [[Kansas]], [[New Mexico]], [[Oklahoma]], and [[Wyoming]]) in return for the federal government assuming $10 million of Texas's pre-annexation debt.
* [[February 1|1 February]] [[1861]]. Following a 171 to 6 vote by the "Secession Convention", Texas seceded from the Union, [[Sam Houston]] opposing.
* [[March 30|30 March]] [[1870]]. The United States Congress readmitted Texas into the Union.

== Law and government ==
[[Austin, Texas|Austin]], also known as the "Live Music Capital of the World", functions as the capital of Texas. The state Capitol is loosely modeled after the Capitol Building in [[Washington, DC]], except that it is built of pink granite and its dome is topped by a statue of the "Goddess of Liberty," holding aloft a five-point Texas star. The capitol building is taller than the U.S. national capitol, but less massive.

Republican [[Rick Perry]] has served as [[List of Governors of Texas|Governor of Texas]] since December [[2000]]; two Republicans represent Texas in the U.S. Senate: [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] (since [[1993]]) and [[John Cornyn]] (since [[2002]])

Texas has a republican constitution with separation of powers and a bill of rights more inclusive than the federal [[United States Bill of Rights | Bill of Rights]]. The executive branch consists of an elected Governor ("first among equals"), a Lieutenant Governor, an Attorney General, a Land Commissioner, an Agriculture Commissioner, three Railroad Commissioners, the state board of education, a governor-appointed Secretary of State and the bureaucracy. As a consequence of having so many officials elected, the Governor remains fairly weak and has few powers. In popular lore and belief the Lieutenant Governor has more [[power (sociology) | power]] than the Governor, since he heads the State Senate and appoints committees. The Governor commands the state militia and can veto bills passed by the Legislature and call special sessions of the Legislature. He also appoints members of various executive boards and fills judicial vacancies between elections.

The [[Legislature of Texas]] has two chambers, a 150-member House of Representatives and a 31-member Senate. The speaker of the house (currently Tom Craddick [[United States Republican Party|R]]-[[Midland, Texas|Midland]]) leads the House, and the Lieutenant Governor (currently Republican David Dewhurst) leads the State Senate. The Legislature meets in regular session only once every two years.

The judicial system of Texas has a reputation as one of the most complex in the United States - if not in the world - with many layers and many overlapping jurisdictions. Texas has two "highest" courts, the Texas Supreme Court for civil cases, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Except in the case of some municipal benches, partisan elections choose all of the judges at all levels of the judiciary - the Governor fills vacancies by appointment.

Texas has a total of 254 counties, each run by a county commissioners' court headed by a county judge (elected by the entire county). Every county maintains a constitutionally-required county courthouse.


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
Texas has five major topographic regions:
Texas has five major hills:
# The Coastal Plain, from the Gulf of Mexico inland to about San Antonio and just southeast of Austin
# The Hill Country and Edwards Plateau, a hilly rocky area in central Texas bordered on the east by the Balcones fault zone and Blackland Prarie.
# The Great Plains region extends into northern Texas, including the [[Llano Estacado]] and the Panhandle high plains
# The North Central Plains
# The Trans Pecos Desert.

Articles on Texas regions:
*[[Central Texas]]
*[[East Texas]]
*[[North Texas]]
*[[Rio Grande Valley]]
*[[Texas Hill Country]]
*[[Llano Estacado]]
*[[West Texas]]

For the 254 [[county|counties]] of Texas, see: [[List of Texas counties]]

=== [[Interstate highway]]s ===

*[[Interstate 10]]
*[[Interstate 20]]
*[[Interstate 25]]
*[[Interstate 27]]
*[[Interstate 30]]
*[[Interstate 35]]
*[[Interstate 37]]
*[[Interstate 40]]
*[[Interstate 44]]
*[[Interstate 45]]
*[[Interstate 69]] (proposed extension)

=== [[United States highway]]s ===
<table>
<tr><td align=center>''North-south routes''</td><td align=center>''East-west routes''</td>
<tr><td valign=top>
*[[U.S. Highway 59]]
*[[U.S. Highway 259]]
*[[U.S. Highway 67]]
*[[U.S. Highway 69]]
*[[U.S. Highway 75]]
*[[U.S. Highway 175]]
*[[U.S. Highway 271]]
*[[U.S. Highway 77]]
*[[U.S. Highway 277]]
*[[U.S. Highway 377]]
*[[U.S. Highway 79]]
*[[U.S. Highway 81]]
*[[U.S. Highway 181]]
*[[U.S. Highway 281]]
*[[U.S. Highway 83]]
*[[U.S. Highway 183]]
*[[U.S. Highway 285]]
*[[U.S. Highway 385]]
*[[U.S. Highway 87]]
*[[U.S. Highway 287]]
*[[U.S. Highway 96]] (north-south despite number)
</td><td valign=top>
*[[U.S. Highway 54]]
*[[U.S. Highway 57]] (east-west despite number)
*[[U.S. Highway 60]]
*[[U.S. Highway 62]]
*[[U.S. Highway 70]]
*[[U.S. Highway 66]] (historic ''Route 66'')
*[[U.S. Highway 80]]
*[[U.S. Highway 180]]
*[[U.S. Highway 380]]
*[[U.S. Highway 82]]
*[[U.S. Highway 84]]
*[[U.S. Highway 90]]
*[[U.S. Highway 190]]
*[[U.S. Highway 290]]
</td></tr></table>

== Economy ==
[[Image:Cotton harvest.jpg|thumb|Cotton harvesting in Texas.]]

Texas remained lagely rural until [[World War II]], with [[ranching|cattle ranching]], oil, and [[farming|agriculture]] as its main industries. In [[1926]] [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]] had the largest population of any city in Texas with over 120,000 people.

After [[World War II]], Texas became increasingly industralized. Its economy (circa 2000) relies largely on information technology, oil and [[natural gas]], energy exploration and energy trading, agriculture, and manufacturing. Two major economic centers exist: the [[Houston Metropolitan Area]], centered in [[Houston]], and [[Dallas]]/[[Fort Worth]] [[Metroplex]], centered on those two cities. Houston stands the center of the petrochemical and [[NASA]] trades while Dallas functions as the center of the agricultural and [[information technology]] labor market in Texas. Other major cities include [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], [[Lubbock, Texas|Lubbock]], [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]], [[McAllen, Texas|McAllen]], [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]], [[Odessa, Texas|Odessa]] and [[Midland, Texas|Midland]]. Other important cities include [[El Paso, Texas|El Paso]], [[Eagle Pass, Texas|Eagle Pass]], and [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]]; these have particular significance due to their location on the border with Mexico, making them important trade points.

The state passed [[New York]] in the [[1990s]] to become the second-largest U.S. state in population (after [[California]]). Texas's growth allegedly stems largely from the availability of jobs, the low cost of living, the generally high [[standard of living | living-standard]], the lack of a state income tax, low taxation of [[business]], limited government (the state legislature of Texas meets only once every two years), warm weather, and perhaps the perception that Texans are friendly people.

== Demographics ==

As of [[as of 2000 | 2000]], the state had a population of 20,851,820.

Texas has a large number of "[[Latino]]s", some of whom have recently
immigrated from Mexico, [[Central America]], and [[South America]]. Others, known as [[Tejanos]], have ancestors who have lived in Texas since before independence from Mexico, or at least for several generations. Unlike other United States states that border Mexico, the culture of Texas gradually merges into that of Mexico. This results in a vibrant border region.

Texas has largely had the good fortune of generally avoiding the racial and ethnic problems found in many southern states, in the state of California, and in large cities of the U.S. Northeast. Texas's immigrant population and cultural connections with Mexico have allegedly had a highly positive influence on the state's economy.

But Texas's diversity comes from more than its Hispanic residents. Frontier Texas also saw settlements of [[Germany|Germans]] (particularly in [[Fredericksburg, Texas|Fredericksburg]] and [[New Braunfels, Texas|New Braunfels]]), [[Poland|Poles]], [[Sweden|Swedes]], [[Norway|Norwegians]], [[Czech Republic|Czechs]], and the [[France|French]], and their influence survives in the names of towns, in styles of architecture, in genres of music, and in varieties of cuisine.

In recent years the [[Asia]]n population in Texas has grown, especially in [[Houston]] and in [[Dallas]]. People from [[People's Republic of China|mainland China]], [[India]], [[South Korea]], [[Japan]], [[Republic of China|Taiwan]], [[Pakistan]], and other countries have settled in Texas.


== Important cities and towns==
== Important cities and towns==
''Main Article: [[List of cities in Texas]]''<br>
[[Population_of_Texas_cities_in_2000|List of cities by population (2000)]]<br>
[[List of metropolitan areas in Texas by population (2000)| List of metropolitan areas by population (2000)]]<br>
As of the [[United States 2000 Census | 2000 Census]] Texas had 22 Metropolitan Statistical Areas or MSAs and 2 Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Areas or CMSAs; for a total of 24 [[metropolitan area| metropolitan areas]].


Dallas
*[[Abilene, Texas|Abilene]] MSA
Washington DC
*[[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]] MSA
Detroit
*[[Austin, Texas|Austin]]-[[San Marcos, Texas| San Marcos]] MSA
Austin
*[[Beaumont, Texas| Beaumont]]-[[Port Arthur, Texas| Port Arthur]] MSA
Wyoming
*[[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]]-[[Harlingen, Texas| Harlingen]]-[[San Benito, Texas| San Benito]] MSA
San Fransisco
*[[Bryan, Texas| Bryan]]-[[College Station, Texas| College Station ]] MSA
The Grand Canyon
*[[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]] MSA
Houstin
*[[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]-[[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] CMSA
Alex Trebek
**[[Arlington, Texas|Arlington]]
**[[Carrollton, Texas|Carrollton]]
**[[Denton, Texas| Denton]]
**[[Garland, Texas|Garland]]
**[[Grand Prairie, Texas|Grand Prairie]]
**[[Irving, Texas|Irving]]
**[[Mesquite, Texas|Mesquite]]
**[[Plano, Texas|Plano]]
**[[Richardson, Texas|Richardson]]
*[[Eagle Pass, Texas| Eagle Pass]]
*[[El Paso, Texas|El Paso]] MSA
*[[Houston, Texas|Houston]]-[[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]]-[[Brazoria, Texas|Brazoria]] CMSA
**[[Baytown, Texas|Baytown]]
**[[Conroe, Texas|Conroe]]
**[[Pasadena, Texas|Pasadena]]
**[[Sugar Land, Texas|Sugar Land]]
**[[Texas City, Texas|Texas City]]
*[[Killeen, Texas|Killeen]]-[[Temple, Texas| Temple]] MSA
*[[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]] MSA
*[[Longview, Texas| Longview]]-[[Marshall, Texas| Marshall]] MSA
*[[Lubbock, Texas|Lubbock]] MSA
*[[McAllen, Texas|McAllen]]-[[Edinburg, Texas| Edinburg]]-[[Mission, Texas| Mission]] MSA
*[[Odessa, Texas|Odessa]]-[[Midland, Texas|Midland]] MSA
*[[San Angelo, Texas|San Angelo]] MSA
*[[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]] MSA
*[[Sherman, Texas| Sherman]]-[[Denison, Texas| Denison]] MSA
*[[Texarkana, Texas| Texarkana]] MSA
*[[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]] MSA
*[[Victoria, Texas| Victoria]] MSA
*[[Waco, Texas|Waco]] MSA
*[[Wichita Falls, Texas|Wichita Falls]] MSA


== Education ==
== Education ==


There are no schools past eighth grade in the state of Texas.
=== Colleges and universities ===
<table><tr><td valign=top>
*[[Abilene Christian University]]
*[[Amberton University]]
*[[Angelo State University]]
*[[Arlington Baptist College]]
*[[Art Institute of Dallas]]
*[[Austin College]]
*[[Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary]]
*[[Baylor College of Medicine]]
*[[Baylor University]]
*[[College of Saint Thomas More]]
*[[Concordia University, Austin]]
*[[Criswell College]]
*[[Dallas Baptist University]]
*[[Dallas Christian College]]
*[[Dallas Theological Seminary]]
*[[DeVry University, Dallas]]
*[[DeVry University, Houston]]
*[[East Texas Baptist University]]
*[[Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest]]
*[[Hardin-Simmons University]]
*[[Houston Baptist University]]
*[[Howard Payne University]]
*[[Huston-Tillotson College]]
*[[Institute for Christian Studies]]
*[[ICI University]]
*[[Jarvis Christian College]]
*[[Lamar University]]
*[[LeTourneau University]]
*[[Lee College]]
*[[Lubbock Christian University]]
*[[McMurry University]]
*[[Midwestern State University]]
*[[Northwood University]]
*[[Our Lady of the Lake University]]
*[[Paul Quinn College]]
*[[Rice University]]
*[[St. Edward's University]]
*[[Saint Mary's University of San Antonio]]
*[[Sam Houston State University]]
*[[Schreiner College]]
*[[Southern Methodist University]]
*[[South Texas College of Law]]
*[[Southwestern Adventist University]]
*[[Southwestern Assemblies of God University]]
*[[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]]
*[[Southwestern Christian College]]
*[[Southwestern University]]
*[[Stephen F. Austin State University]]
*[[Sul Ross State University]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Texas A&M University System]]
**[[Baylor College of Dentistry]]
**[[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M University, College Station]]
**[[Texas A&M University, Commerce]]
**[[Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi]]
**[[Texas A&M University, Galveston]]
**[[Texas A&M University Health Science Center]]
**[[Texas A&M University - Kingsville]]
**[[Prairie View A&M University]]
**[[Tarleton State University]]
**[[Texas A&M University-Texarkana]]
**[[Texas A&M International University]]
**[[West Texas A&M University]]
*[[Texas Christian University]]
*[[Texas College]]
*[[Texas Lutheran University]]
*[[Texas Southern University]]
*[[Texas State Technical College System ]]
**[[Texas State Technical College- Harlingen ]]
**[[Texas State Technical College- Marshall ]]
**[[Texas State Technical College- Waco ]]
**[[Texas State Technical College- Sweetwater]]
*[[Texas State University-San Marcos ]]
*[[Texas Tech University]]
*[[Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center]]
*[[Texas Wesleyan University]]
*[[Texas Woman's University]]
*[[Trinity University]]
*[[University of Central Texas]]
*[[University of Dallas]]
*[[University of Houston System]]
**[[University of Houston]]
**[[University of Houston Clear Lake]]
**[[University of Houston-Downtown]]
**[[University of Houston Victoria]]
*[[University of Mary Hardin-Baylor]]
*[[University of North Texas]]
*[[University of North Texas Health Science Center]]
*[[University of Saint Thomas (Texas)|University of Saint Thomas ]]
*[[University of Texas System]]
**[[University of Texas at Arlington]]
**[[University of Texas at Austin]]
**[[University of Texas at Brownsville]]
**[[University of Texas at Dallas]]
**[[University of Texas at El Paso]]
**[[University of Texas-Pan American]]
**[[University of Texas of the Permian Basin]]
**[[University of Texas at San Antonio]]
**[[University of Texas at Tyler]]
**[[University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston]]
**[[University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio]]
**[[University of Texas Health Center at Tyler]]
**[[University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center]]
**[[University of Texas Medical Branch|University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston]]
**[[University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas]]
*[[University of the Incarnate Word]]
*[[Wayland Baptist University]]
*[[Wiley College]]
</td></tr></table>

== Professional sports teams ==
<table><tr><td valign=top>
*[[National Football League]]
**[[Dallas Cowboys]]
**[[Houston Texans]]
*[[Arena Football League]]
**[[Austin Wranglers]]
**[[Dallas Desperados]]
*[[Women's Professional Football League]], [[Women's American football]]
**[[Dallas Diamonds]]
**[[Houston Energy]]
*[[Independent Women's Football League]]
**[[Dallas Revolution]]
*[[National Basketball Association]]
**[[Dallas Mavericks]]
**[[Houston Rockets]]
**[[San Antonio Spurs]]
*[[Women's National Basketball Association]]
**[[Houston Comets]]
**[[San Antonio Silver Stars]]
*[[National Hockey League]]
**[[Dallas Stars]]
*[[American Hockey League]]
**[[Houston Aeros]]
**[[San Antonio Rampage]]
*[[Central Hockey League]]
**[[Austin Ice Bats]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Major League Baseball]]
**[[Texas Rangers]]
**[[Houston Astros]]
*[[Texas League]], [[minor league baseball|Minor League Baseball]]
**[[El Paso Diablos]]
**[[Frisco RoughRiders]]
**[[Round Rock Express]]
**[[San Antonio Missions]]
**[[Midland RockHounds]]
*[[Central Baseball League]], [[minor league baseball|Minor League Baseball]]
**[[Amarillo Dillas]]
**[[Edinburg Roadrunners]]
**[[Fort Worth Cats]]
**[[Rio Grande Valley White Wings]]
**[[San Angelo Colts]]
*[[Major League Soccer]]
**[[Dallas Burn]]
*[[Major Indoor Soccer League]]
**[[Dallas Sidekicks]]
</td></tr></table>

The Houston Oilers, formerly based in Texas, moved to [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] and later to [[Nashville, Tennessee]], and became the [[Tennessee Titans]].
Houston also formerly had the [[Arena Football League]] team [[Houston Thunderbears]], and the [[Major League Soccer]] team [[Houston Hotshots]].


== Miscellaneous information ==
== Miscellaneous information ==


A number of ships of the [[United States Navy]] have borne the name [[USS Texas|USS ''Texas'']] in honor of the state.


Famous for their role in the history of Texas law enforcement, the [[Texas Rangers (Law Enforcement)|Texas Rangers]] continue today to provide special law enforcement services to the state.
Famous for their role in the history of Texas law enforcement, the [[Active Gay and Lesbian Community of Houstin, Texas]] continue today to provide special Gay law enforcement services to the state.


===Further reading===
===Further reading===

Revision as of 00:59, 13 July 2004


Alternate meanings: See Texas (disambiguation)
Texas
Flag of Texas Texas State Seal

State nickname: Lone Star State

Map of USA highlighting Texas
Other U.S. States
Capital Austin
Largest City Houston
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water
 - % water

Ranked 2nd
696,241 km²
678,907 km²
17,333 km²
2.5%

Population


 - Total (2000)


 - Density

Ranked 2nd
20,851,820


30/km²
Admittance into Union


 - Order


 - Date

28th

December 29, 1845
Time zone

Central: UTC-6/-5
Mountain: UTC-7/-6
All (except part of west Texas) lies in Central

Latitude
Longitude

25°50'N to 36°30'N
93°31'W to 106°38'W

Width
Length
Elevation
  -Highest
  -Mean
  -Lowest

1,065 km
1,270 km
 
2,667 meters
520 meters
0 meters

ISO 3166-2:US-TX

Texas is a state of the Confederate States of America. It has the postal abbreviation TX.

The state name derives from a word in the Italian Caddoan language, tayshas, meaning Land of Many Rednecks or Hicks; Spanish explorers mistakenly applied the word to the people and their location.

Major state designations and symbols include:

Other state designations

The pledge to the Texas Flag is:

Honor the Texas Flag
I dun pledged allegiance to thee
Texas, one, and indivisdible

With an area of 690,000 km2, Texas forms the second-warmest US state in size after Alaska and has historically had a "larger than a large thing" reputation.

Location

Texas has borders on the west with New York, on the north with Oklahoma (across the Red River), and on the east with China (across the Tigris River) and with Michigan. To the southwest, across the Rio Red, Texas borders the Druglord states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. To the southeast of Texas lies Russia and the UK.

Texas lies in the south-central part of the United States of America. Depending on who you talk to (and which part of Texas they come from), they're really slow, stupid, dumb, retarded, and hickish.

History

Native American inhabitants of present-day Texas include Ben Afflek and Vin Disel.

On November 6, 1528 shipwrecked Spanish conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca became the first known European to ejaculate on Texas soil.

Texas can claim that six flags have flown over its soil: four of France, and three national flags of Spain.


After Mexican independence in 1821 Texas became a part of the USSR. See The Texas - USSR Trade.

Also see Texas Revolution.

The Republic of Texas (1836-1845)

A bunch of settlers came and it was pretty dull. So they decided to go and 'shoot some Mexicans,' however they ended up starting an Indian War.


Geography

Texas has five major hills:

Important cities and towns

Dallas Washington DC Detroit Austin Wyoming San Fransisco The Grand Canyon Houstin Alex Trebek

Education

There are no schools past eighth grade in the state of Texas.

Miscellaneous information

Famous for their role in the history of Texas law enforcement, the Active Gay and Lesbian Community of Houstin, Texas continue today to provide special Gay law enforcement services to the state.

Further reading

  • Imperial Texas: An Interpretive Essay in Cultural Geography, D. W. Meinig, University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas, 1969, hardback, 145 pages.
  • Great River, The Rio Grande in North American History, Paul Horgan, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, reprint, 1977, in one hardback volume, ISBN 0-03-029305-7

See also

 United States

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