Texas
Texas became a U.S. state on December 29, 1845 as the 28th state. It occupies the south-central segment of the country and is the largest state in area except for Alaska. The state extends nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from north to south and about the same distance from east to west. Texas borders New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
Americans, led by Stephen F. Austin, began to colonize Texas which at the time was controlled by Mexico. In 1836, following a brief war between the American settlers in Texas and the Mexican government, the Independent Republic of Texas was proclaimed with Sam Houston as president. This war was famous for the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto. The largest cities in Texas are Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth and El Paso.
The Alamo is located in San Antonio. It is where Texas defenders fell to Mexican General Santa Anna and the phrase Remember the Alamo originated. The Alamo is considered the cradle of Texas liberty and the state’s most popular historic site.
Texas has enormous natural resources, and is a major agricultural and industrial state. Second only to Alaska in land area, it leads all other states in such categories as oil, cattle, sheep, and cotton.
Capital
Austin
Population as of 2009
24,782,302
Seats in the House of Representatives
32
Electoral College
34
Nick name
Lone Star State
Flower
Blue Bonnet
Bird
Mocking bird
Animal
Nine-banded Armadillo
