Introduction - Texas
The southwest region of the United States is where you will find the largest mainland state in the country, which is Texas. It borders Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma in addition to being one of four states to border Mexico. The Alamo, the Dallas Cowboys, Austin, the Gulf of Mexico and Waco are just some of the things that might come to mind when thinking of Texas. To find out more information on Texas; including the two presidents who were born there, what popular drink was invented there, when it became a state, and how around 8,000 people died in Galveston in 1900, read the lists of interesting facts below. This information is written for both kids and adults.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about Texas.
Texas State Quick Facts
- Texas was the 28th state in the United States of America.
- Texas was granted statehood on Dec.29, 1845.
- The state capital of Texas is Austin.
- The largest city in Texas is Houston.
- The population of Texas is 26,448,193 (source 2013 United States Census Bureau estimate).
- Texas is the second biggest state in the U.S., behind only Alaska.
- Texas ranks 2nd in most populous state in the United States, with only California having more people (source 2013 United States Census Bureau estimate).
- Since 1901, the state flower of Texas has been the Bluebonnet.
- Residents of Texas are called Texans.
- The nickname for this state is The Lone Star State.
- In addition to bordering the Gulf of Mexico, Texas has some major bodies of water within the state which include the Rio Grande, Brazos River and the Red River.
- "Texas, Our Texas" is the official state song.
Interesting Texas Facts
- In the year 1900, a Category 4 hurricane hit Galveston, Texas with such devastation that it killed 8,000 people, both adults and children, and remains the deadliest natural disaster in the U.S. to date.
- In 1869, Waco, Texas became home to the first suspension bridge in the United States.
- When it opened in 1965, the Astrodome in Houston was the world's first domed stadium which was used for many events including sporting games and concerts.
- Texas produces more wool than any other U.S. state.
- In 1885, the popular soft drink, Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, Texas. To this day, the Dublin Dr Pepper Bottling Company, which makes Dr Pepper, remains one of few bottlers in the U.S. to use cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.
- With 31 species of bats, Texas has more bat species than any other U.S. state.
Historical Texas Facts
- With a rich history dating back to 1699, the Alamo, located in San Antonio, is the state's most popular historic site. The popular saying, "Remember the Alamo" was shouted from Texans who finally defeated Mexican forces after a long and heroic struggle for independence.
- Beginning with Spanish rule in 1519 six countries have had sovereignty over all or part of what is now Texas they are Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States and, of course, the United States.
- Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States and Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th president were both born in the state of Texas.