Texas – Lone Star State

Facts over Texas

State: Texas
Abbreviation: TX
Capital: Austin
State Since: December 29, 1845
Area Codes: 210, 214, 254, 281, 361, 409, 469, 512, 682, 713, 806, 817, 830, 832, 903, 915, 936, 940, 956, 972, 979
Bird: Mockingbird
Flower: Bluebonnet
Largest City: Houston
Motto: Friendship
Nickname: Lone Star State
Population: 20,851,820
Song: Texas, Our Texas
Tree: Pecan
Time Zone: -6/-7

Adjacent States:

  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Arkansas
  • Louisiana

Texas Travel Information

Texas is the second largest state in the United States in area after Alaska. It is also the second state in population, after California. The abbreviation of the “Lone Star State”, as it is nicknamed, is TX. The population is approximately 22 million. The state, in the south of the US, has many oil wells. The capital of Texas is Austin, the largest city is Houston. Other major major cities include Dallas and San Antonio. Texas is the state where George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, grew up.

History

The area now called Texas was originally settled by Native American tribes. Apache, Atakapa, Bidai, Caddo, Comanche, Karankawa, Kiowa, Tonkawa, and Wichita still live in present-day Texas. On November 6, 1528, shipwrecked Spanish conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca became the first European to set foot on Texas soil. Above that bottom have flown six flags: the Fleur-de-lis of France, and the national flags of Spain, Mexico, Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America.

The Spanish Colony of New Spain

Texas was part of the Spanish colony of New Spain in the centuries following the Spanish conquest. After Mexican independence, in 1821, Texas became part of Mexico along with the Mexican Coahuila de Zaragoza as Coahuila y Tejas. Meanwhile, many Anglo-Americans migrated to Texas, eventually outnumbering the Hispanic population. The Anglo-Texans were called Texians, the Spanish/Mexican Texans Tejano’s. When Mexican dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna repealed the 1824 constitution and replaced Coahuila y Tejas with departments in 1835, the Texians declared Texas independence. After first being defeated at the legendary Battle of the Alamo, the rebels defeated and captured Santa Anna in the spring of 1836 at the Battle of San Jacinto, which subsequently recognized the independence of the Republic of Texas. The Texans considered the Rio Grande to be their western frontier, which was previously the Nueces. In 1840 the independent Republic of the Rio Grande arose for a short time on the other side of the Rio Grande. When it was violently rejoined Mexico the same year, Texas feared for its independence and sought further rapprochement with the United States.

On December 29, 1845, President James K. Polk of the United States of America enacted a law annexing Texas. Texas became the 28th state of the United States. A year later, after a battle in the area claimed by both Mexico and the United States, the Mexican-American War broke out.

Administrative division

Texas is divided into 254 counties, making it the state with the most counties. Counties have powers over general affairs in the district, but also partly fulfill the functions of a city. This is the case for households that do not fall within the “city-limit”. The counties contain city’s (cities), the cities also have administrative powers, which correspond to those of the Dutch municipality. See how many cities are in Texas.

Geography

The state of Texas covers 678,054 km². Texas borders Oklahoma to the north ; to the west to the state of New Mexico, to the south to Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico; on the east to the state of Louisiana ; and in the northeast to the state of Arkansas. Most of Texas is in the Central time zone; the far west, which includes El Paso, is part of the Mountain time zone. With seven distinct regions, Texas is a country in its own right. From the vast forests of Piney Woods in eastern Texas to the mighty peaks of the Big Bend and the many landscapes in between. Texas offers a unique experience for everyone.

Big Bend

A look at the landscapes of Big Bend is beyond anyone’s imagination. The imagination knows no bounds. Whether you gaze at the stars from the McDonald Observatory, gaze over the majestic mountains of the Big Beng National Park or stroll the streets of sunny El Paso… this region will leave you breathless and leave an unforgettable impression.

Gulf Coast

Experience the fascination of the beautiful Gulf Coast of Texas. The resorts of Corpus Christi, Galveston and Port Arkansas, all of which lie along the 1,000-mile coastline, are ideal for swimming, fishing, sailing and surfing. This while Houston, the fourth largest city in the US, is more of a cultural mecca.

Panhandle Plains

Set out to explore the Panhandle Plain, where the timeless and wild beauty of the land is revealed through the unwavering history of the Wild West. Close to the Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the US, this region is a nature lover’s dream and the Big Texas Sky is a credit to all. From the western charm of Buffalo Gap to the Buddy Holly nostalgia in Lubbock, Pandhandle is incomparable to any area in the world.

Piney Woods

In Piney Woods, the path is the destination. Visitors can freely roam or paddle in a landscape of vast lakes, flowing rivers, dense pine forests, and wetlands. Southern charm, culture and history complement each other perfectly here.

Prairies and Lakes

Surrounded by the wildlife and cultural richness of the Prairies and Lakes region is one of the world’s top travel destinations, the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region. Going far beyond the regional artists, Dallas’ arts district offers an absolutely global dimension, while Fort Worth’s Stockyards reflect the roots of Texas tradition. From museums and shops to sports and roller coasters, you’ll surely understand where the Texan phrase ‘Yee-haw’ comes from!

Hill Country

From Austin’s Indie spirit to the cowboy charm of Bandera and Uvalde, the rolling hills of Texas have harbored a unique authenticity for generations. Discover the diversity of the region by tasting the local wines, drifting down the Guadeloupe River, visiting beaches in Stonewall or simply enjoying the unique scent of barbecue and lupines. In Hill Country, heaven feels close.

South Texas Plains

Those who want to discover the undeniable and original charm of Texas should not miss the plains of South Texas. Here Texas meets Mexico and you will find a mix of Spanish and American culture. San Antonio is the gateway to the South Texas Plains region and home to Texas’ most famous landmark, the Alamo. Restaurants serving the most delicious TexMex dishes and atmospheric Mariachi bands are never far away along the River Walk. A little further south, admire the tropical beauty of the Rio Grande Valley, home to over 500 different bird species.

Economy

Until World War II, Texas was a predominantly agricultural area, with agriculture and livestock, and petroleum extraction as the main industry. In 1926 San Antonio was the largest city, with more than 120 thousand inhabitants. After World War II, Texas became highly industrialized. Around 2000, the economy is based on information technology, oil and gas extraction, power generation and trade, agriculture, and industry. The two major economic centers are the Houston Metropolitan Area around Houston (petrochemicals; NASA), and the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex around Dallas and Fort Worth, the center of agriculture and information technology. The cost of living in Texas is relatively low; no income tax is levied by the state; the tax on trade is low; and government involvement is low. As a result, Texas has experienced strong economic growth since the 1990s. The University of Texas system has many campuses, the most famous of which is the University of Texas at Austin.

Demographics

Texas has a large number of Spanish speakers (Hispanics). Some of them have recently immigrated from Mexico, Central America and South America. Others, known as Tejano’s, are descended from people who lived in Texas before the state gained its independence from Mexico. Unlike other US states bordering Mexico, Texan culture gradually transitions into Mexican, resulting in a vibrant frontier region that is also reflected in Tex-Mex cuisine and music. The racial and ethnic problems found in many Southern states are virtually absent in Texas.

Immigrant Communities

In addition to Spanish-speaking, Texas has immigrant communities of Germans, Poles, Swedes, Norwegians, Czechs, French, and Dutch. Their influence can still be found in the place names, in the architecture, in the music, and in the cuisine of Texas. The city of the Netherlands in Texas was founded in 1897 by Dutch immigrants. The most important families were Reinstra and Doornbos and their descendants still live there. The Dutch history of the city is commemorated in the Dutch Windmill Museum on Boston Avenue. Recently, Asians from China, Taiwan, India, South Korea and Japan emigrate to Texas. They mainly settle in Houston and Dallas.

Famous Texans

  • Hilary Duff (September 28, 1987), singer/actress
  • Jessica Simpson (July 10, 1980), singer
  • Matthew McConaughey (4 november 1969), acteur
  • Red Adair (8 juni 1915 – 7 augustus 2004)
  • Lance Armstrong (September 18, 1971), cyclist / 7-time Tour de France winner
  • Tex Avery
  • George Bush (June 12, 1924), 41st President of the United States
  • George W. Bush (July 6, 1946), 43rd President of the United States
  • Kelly Clarkson (24 april 1982), zangeres
  • George Eads (March 1, 1967), actor, known as Nick Stokes in CSI
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969), 34th President of the United States
  • Howard Hughes (December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976), industrialist
  • Lyndon B. Johnson (August 27, 1908 – January 22, 1973), 36th President of the United States
  • Beyoncé Knowles (September 4, 1981), singer
  • Johnny Preston (August 18, 1939), singer
  • James Travis (Jim) Reeves (August 20, 1923 – July 31, 1964)
  • Angela Strehli, (blues) singer, ao. performed with SRV & Double Trouble
  • Jimmie Vaughan, blues guitarist, brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan, best known for band: the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie left the band in 1990
  • Stevie Ray Vaughan, bluesgitarist (3 oktober 1954 – 27 oktober 1990), band: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
  • Renée Zellweger, (April 25, 1969), actress, known for, among others, Bridget Jones’s Diary
  • Brek Shea, football player of FC Dallas

HOUSTON

Texas

Facts over Houston

State: Texas
City Since: 1836
Motto / Nickname: My Houston
Population: 2,016,583
Area: 1500.0 km2
Time Zone: -6

Houston Travel Information

Houston is the largest city in Texas (United States of America) and is located on the Gulf of Mexico. The city is the fourth largest city in the US and the second largest on the Gulf Coast. The city is located in Harris County, the third most populous county in the US

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is located in Houston. From here, all missions that NASA undertakes are coordinated. Houston is the title of the capcom, the only person at the flight control center with whom the astronauts speak directly. As a result, Houston is also the first word spoken on the moon. Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 commander: “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”

The statement “Houston, we have a problem” is often made in jest when one encounters some kind of problem. This is an inaccurate rendering of “Houston, we’ve had a problem,” a well-known phrase Commander Jim Lovell spoke in response to an explosion aboard Apollo 13.

climate

In January the average temperature is 11.2 °C, in July it is 28.6 °C. Annual average rainfall is 1291.1 mm (data based on the measurement period 1961-1990).

Trivia

Throughout the United States, most overweight people live in Texas and most of Texas in Houston. About 40% of Houston residents are obese. This fact is not surprising, since the city has very large distances and people tend to cover the distances by car. As a result, the Texans get little exercise. The lack of sidewalks also makes (running) walking unattractive, which leads to even less movement.

Sights

  • Children’s Museum of Houston
  • Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
  • Houston Astros
  • Houston Ballet
  • Museum of Natural Science

DALLAS

Texas

Facts over Dallas

State: Texas
City Since: 1841
Motto / Nickname: Dallas, Serving you! / Live large, Think Big!
Population: 1,188,580
Area: 886.7 km2
Time zone: -6

Dallas Travel Information

Dallas is the third largest city in the state of Texas, with a population of 1.2 million in the city itself and 5.1 million in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, including Arlington. This makes the city the fifth largest in the United States in terms of population. Dallas was founded in 1841 and is named after Vice President George M. Dallas. John Neely Bryan built a cottage near the Trinity River that year and started a ferry service there. His house still stands in downtown Dallas.

climate

In January the average temperature is 7.0 °C, in July it is 29.9 °C. Annual average precipitation falls 916.4 mm (data based on the measurement period 1961-1990).

Demographics

Of the population, 8.6% is older than 65 and 32.9% consists of single-person households. Unemployment is 4% (2000 census figures). About 35.6% of the population are Hispanics and Latinos, 25.9% are of African origin and 2.7% of Asian origin. The population of Dallas increased from 1,006,646 in 1990 to 1,188,580 in 2000.

Sights

Sixth Floor Museum, from this building Lee Harvey Oswald is said to have shot at John F. Kennedy, Nieman-Marcus, department store chain that originated here, Southfork Ranch, home of the Ewing family from the popular television series Dallas.

AUSTIN

Texas

Facts over Austin

State: Texas
City Since: 1824
Motto / Nickname: Live Music Capital of the World / ATX, keep it weird!
Population: 1,600,000
Area: 551,500 km2
Time zone: -6

Austin Travel Information

Austin, the capital of Texas, is located on the Colorado River. Austin, ‘Keep it weird’, is mainly known for music, country rock, and you notice that everywhere. The local industry produces high technology products such as computers, steel and furniture. Furthermore, Austin is a trading center for an agricultural environment (maize, cotton, livestock, dairy).

Demographics

Of the population, 6.7% is older than 65 years. It consists of 32.8% of single-person households. Unemployment is 2.2% (census figures 2000). About 65.4% of Austin’s population is white, 30.5% is Hispanic or Latino, 10% is of African origin, and 4.7% is of Asian origin. The population increased from 494,290 in 1990 to 656,562 in 2000.

climate

In January the average temperature is 9.3 °C, in July it is 29.2 °C. Annual average rainfall is 809.8 mm (data based on the measurement period 1961-1990).

Sights

  • Capitol Street het State Capitol
  • Governer’s Mansion
  • National Wildflower Research Center
  • Zilker Park
  • Congress Avenue

FORT WORTH

Texas

Facts over Fort Worth

State: Texas
City Since: 1849
Motto / Nickname: Cowboys & Culture
Population: 720,250
Area: 775 km2
Time Zone: -6

Travel information about Fort Worth

In her youth, Fort Worth was home to the brave and the brawling, the soldier and the settler, as well as a rough frontier town. Today, Fort Worth is one of the largest cities in Texas and the 17th largest city in the United States. Texas has a world-renowned cultural arts district, a beautifully preserved country heritage and a wide variety of attractions.

Climate

In January the average temperature is 7.0 °C, in July it is 29.9 °C. Annual average precipitation falls 916.4 mm (data based on the measurement period 1961-1990).

Demographics

9.6% of the population is older than 65 and 28.6% consists of single-person households. Unemployment is 4.2% (census figures 2000). About 29.8% of Fort Worth’s population is Hispanic and Hispanic, 20.3% of African origin and 2.6% of Asian origin. The number of inhabitants increased from 448,181 in 1990 to 534,694[2]. In 2006, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population at 653,320[3], an increase of 118626 (22.2%).

Sights

  • The Kimbell Art Museum
  • Amon Carter Museum
  • Het Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
  • The National Museum and Cowgirl Hall of Fame
  • Het Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
  • The Texas Civil War Museum
  • Botanical Research Institute of Texas
  • Fort Worth Water Gardens
  • Fort Worth Stockyards

TEXAS