Facts about Texas

Interesting Facts About Texas:

• Texas is the second-largest state in the United States.
• Texas has the most hospitals per capita in the nation.
• The state has more high schools than any other state, with a total of 1,600 high schools.
• The state also has more than 2,500 colleges and universities.
• Texas also has the largest prison population in the US.

Texas Geography Facts

• Texas has more than 200 million acres of public land.
• Texas has more than 12,000 miles of state highways.
• The state has more than 6,000 miles of rivers and streams.
• Texas has more than 800 miles of inland waterways.
• There are more than 15,000 lakes and ponds in Texas.

• The state of Texas is larger than any European country.
• If Texas were its own country, it would be the 40th largest in land area.
• Texas has three of the top 10 most populous cities in the U.S.
• The three most populous cities of Texas are:
  • Houston
  • Dallas
  • San Antonio
• Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States.
• Dallas/Fort Worth ranks as the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

Economy Facts About Texas

• Texas has the highest number of millionaires in the nation.
• There are more than 2,000 billionaires in the state, compared to about 2,000 in California.
• Texas has the largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the country.
• Texas has the second-largest state budget.
• The state spends more than $100 billion on public education annually, and the per pupil spending in Texas is $7,000 higher than the national average.

• Texas ranks first in the nation for its production of cotton and corn.
• The state ranks second in the nation for producing wind energy.
• Texas has the largest oil reserves in the world and the third-largest producer of crude oil in the U.S., behind only Alaska and Oklahoma.
• It is also the nation’s leading producer of petrochemicals.

Historical Facts About Texas ‍

• Before Europeans settled in Texas, it was the land of Native American tribes.
• When the Spanish settlers first arrived in Texas, they were greeted by the friendly Caddo tribe. They said Tay-yas, which means “friends,” and the sound of the word “Texas”.
• Texas has been ruled by Spain, France, Mexico and others.
• When Texas became the Republic of Texas, its first president was Sam Houston.
• Before Texas became a U.S. state, it fought for its independence from Mexico.
• Texas is called the “Lone Star State” because it was the only state to join the United States after it was founded in 1776.

Texas Tourism Facts

• Texas is the forth-largest state in terms of tourism receipts.
• Texas is the fifth-largest state in terms of tourism receipts
• Texas has more than 10,000 hotels and resorts, including the world’s largest golf resort.
• There are more than 600 public golf courses in the state.