Derived from the Native American word "Tejas."
Adopted 1930.
Texas is the second-largest state in both land area and population. Located in the South Central U.S., it shares a vast international border with Mexico. Known for its "Lone Star" identity, Texas is a global leader in energy, aeronautics, and technology, while maintaining a rich cultural heritage rooted in cowboy tradition and independence.
Texas officially joined the Union on December 29, 1845, as the 28th state. Its history is unique as it was an independent republic for nearly a decade after winning independence from Mexico in 1836. This legacy of the Texas Revolution, most famously noted by the Battle of the Alamo, deeply shapes the state's modern political and cultural landscape.
Houston
Population: ~2.3MThe largest city in Texas and a global center for the energy industry and space exploration, home to the NASA Johnson Space Center.
San Antonio
Population: ~1.5MA city rich in Spanish colonial heritage and home to the Alamo, a historic mission that serves as a symbol of Texas independence.
Dallas
Population: ~1.3MA major commercial and cultural hub, known for its prominence in banking, commerce, telecommunications, and high technology.
Austin
Population: ~1.0MThe state capital and the "Live Music Capital of the World," also a major emerging hub for technology and innovative startups.
Fort Worth
Population: ~950,000Commonly linked with Dallas, it is a city that celebrates its Western heritage through its historic stockyards and world-class museums.
Region: South
- Texas is the only state to have the flags of six different nations fly over it during its history.
- The State Capitol in Austin is the largest in the U.S. by floor space and stands taller than the National Capitol in Washington, D.C.
- Texas has its own separate power grid, making it the only state in the contiguous U.S. that is not connected to the national electrical grids.