Texas

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

State of Texas
Flag of Texas Image:Texas state seal.png
Flag of Texas Seal of Texas
Nickname(s): Lone Star State
Motto(s): Friendship
Map of the United States with Texas highlighted
Official language(s) "None"
See: Languages of Texas
Capital Austin
Largest city Houston
Area  Ranked 2nd
 - Total 268,581 sq mi
(695,622 km²)
 - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)
 - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)
 - % water 2.5
 - Latitude 25°50'N to 36°30'N
 - Longitude 93°31'W to 106°38'W
Population  Ranked 2nd
 - Total (2000) 20,851,820
 - Density 79.6/sq mi 
30.75/km² (28th)
Elevation  
 - Highest point Guadalupe Peak[1]
8,749 ft  (2,667 m)
 - Mean 1,700 ft  (520 m)
 - Lowest point Gulf of Mexico[1]
0 ft  (0 m)
Admission to Union  December 29, 1845 (28th)
Governor Rick Perry (R)
U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R),
John Cornyn (R)
Time zones  
 - most of state Central: UTC-6/-5
 - tip of West Texas Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Abbreviations TX Tex. US-TX
Web site www.texas.gov

Texas is the second largest state in the United States. In 1845 it became the 28th state in the Union. Texas has been controlled by Spain, France, and Mexico before declaring its independence from Mexico in 1836. It was its own country, The Republic of Texas, for 9 years.

The largest cities in Texas are Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso, and Austin. Austin is the capital of Texas.

There are many famous attractions in Texas. Fort Worth is known for its stockyards, and Amarillo is known for the cattle business and stockyards. San Antonio has The Alamo, and Austin has The University of Texas at Austin. Houston has the Johnson Space Center.Texas A&M is another important university in Texas. Along with the great Texas country music artist WIllie Nelson.