| Capital: |
Austin |
| Population: |
20,851,820 |
| Governor: |
Rick Perry (R, to January 2003) |
| Entered the Union: |
Dec. 29, 1845 |
| As the: |
28th state |
| Motto: |
Friendship |
| Nickname: |
Lone Star State |
| Flower: |
Bluebonnet |
| Bird: |
Mockingbird |
| Song: |
Texas, Our Texas |
| Sports Teams: |
Houston Astros, Texas Rangers (Baseball); Houston
Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, (Basketball); Houston Comets
(Women's Basketball) Dallas Cowboys (Football); Dallas Stars (Hockey). |
| Origin of Name: |
From a Native American word meaning friends |
| Top 3 Industries: |
Trade, Real Estate, and Oil and Gas |
| Historical Sites: |
The Alamo in San Antonio |
| Points of Interest: |
Gulf Coast resort area, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in
Houston, State capital in Austin, and the Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains
National Parks. |
| Bordering States: |
Texas borders New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and
Louisiana. |
| State Tree: |
Pecan |
| State Dinosaur: |
Brachiosaur Sauropod, Pleurocoelus |
| State Dish: |
Chili |
| State Fiber and Fabric: |
Cotton |
| State Fish: |
Guadalupe Bass |
| State Folk Dance: |
Square Dance |
| State Fruit: |
Texas Red Grapefruit |
| State Gem: |
Texas Blue Topaz |
| State Gemstone Cut: |
Lone Star Cut |
| State Grass: |
Sideoats Grama |
| State Insect: |
Monarch Butterfly |
| State Flying Mammal: |
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat |
| State Large Mammal: |
Longhorn |
| State Small Mammal: |
Armadillo |
| State Musical Instrument: |
Guitar |
| State Native Pepper: |
Chiltepin |
| State Pepper: |
Jalapeno |
| State Plant: |
Prickly Pear Cactus |
| State Reptile |
Horned Lizard |
| State Shell: |
Lightning Whelk |
| State Ship: |
U.S.S. Texas |
| State Shrub: |
Crape Myrtle |
| State Sport: |
Rodeo |
| State Stone: |
Petrified Palmwood |
| State Vegetable: |
Sweet Onion |
| Flag: |
 |
-
The
Constitution of 1845, which was the resolution that allowed Texas into
the Union, stated that Texas had the right to divide into 4 states
in addition to the original Texas. That legal right still remains true.
-
There
has been 6 flags to fly over Texas. The Spanish, French, Mexican, Confederacy,
United States, and Republic of Texas. The Spanish controlled Texas from 1519-1685
and 1690-1821. The French from 1685-1690. The Mexican from 1821-1836. The
Republic of Texas from 1836-1845. The United States from 1845-1861 and 1865-present.
The Confederacy from 1861-1865.
-
In
the Texas state song, the word "boldest" replaced the word "largest" after
Alaska became a state.
-
The state
capitol building is the largest state capitol building in the country.
-
There
are actually five state flowers of Texas. Before 1971, there were debates
over which variation of bluebonnet was the actual state flower. (Only two
variations were known at that time). In 1971, the state legislature solved
this confrontation by making both variations and "any other variety of bluebonnet
not heretofore recorded" the state flower. Currently five variations of
bluebonnet are known: lupinus subcarnosus, lupinus texensis, lupinus Havardii,
lupinus
concinnus, lupinus plattensis. There are also several colors of state flower.
Blue, white, pink, lavender, and maroon being the primary colors, with
several other minor variations found in nature.
-
The people
of Texas usually call themselves Texans. However, Texian was generally used
in the early period of the state's history.
-
Texas
is the only state whose state flag flies as high as the United States flag.
-
The worst
natural disaster in United States history was caused by a hurricane that
hit Galveston in 1900. Over 8000 deaths were recorded.
-
More land
is farmed in Texas than in any other state.
-
The first
suspension bridge in the United States was the Waco Bridge. Built in 1870
and still in use today as a pedestrian crossing of the Brazos River.
-
The Aransas
Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America's only remaining flock
of whooping cranes.
-
The population
of Texas is 20 million, not including the 16 million cattle
-
70% of
the population of Texas lives within 200 miles of Austin
-
The Dallas-Fort
Worth area has more residents, 5,221,801, than 31 U.S. states. Arizona, for
instance, has about 5.1 million residents
-
The world's
first rodeo was held in Pecos on July 4, 1883
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personal writings and photographs taken by myself are copyright and are
not to be used without prior permission
©keeweechic 2001-2007
