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Texas, America's unique Lone Star State, often brings to
mind cactus and cowboys, tumbleweeds and sombreros. Within this enormous
state, though, are also miles of pristine, sunwashed coastline, the gentle
rolling terrain of the Texas Hill Country and mountains that loom over 8,000
feet. Second in size only to the state of Alaska, Texas is divided into
11 natural subregions and 254 counties. The 267,777 square miles that make
up Texas is as large as all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and
North Carolina combined.
The Gulf Coast is 600 miles worth of beaches and sand
dunes, including
Padre Island,
the longest remaining undeveloped barrier island in the world.
Big Bend Country on Texas' western rim is a mix of desert
and high mountains and home to two awesome national parks,
Guadalupe Mountains and
Big Bend National Park. The
Panhandle in the northern section of the state has the vast
open expanses that has inspired great artists like
Georgia
O'Keeffe to try to catch the particular flavor of this
haunting region.
The
Piney Woods in the East and the
Hill Country in the west are two beautiful regions, full of
undulating hills and spring-fed rivers, historic towns and quiet,
undiscovered lakes. The
South Texas Plains region is where Texas meets Mexico and the
Tex-Mex culture was born and still thrives.
Throughout all the various regions and terrains of Texas, one common
denominator is the independence and rugged pride of its people. Fiercely
loyal to their land and their state, at the same time they are an open and
friendly folk. The word Texas was derived from the Spanish pronunciation of
the Caddo Indian word meaning friend or ally. The state motto is
"friendship."
According to the 2000 census, 20,851,820 make their home in
Texas, designating it as America's 2nd most populous state and the 8th
fastest growing state in the nation. The median household income for 1999
was reported at just under $40,000. Trade, real estate, and oil and gas
make up the top three industries. The five largest cities in Texas are
Houston,
Dallas,
San Antonio,
Austin and
El Paso.
First explored by Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500's, France
laid claim to a portion of Texas in 1685, though large scale settlement
didn't begin until the 19th century. In 1821, Mexico gained independence
from Spain, and Stephen Austin was granted permission to settle a colony of
300 families in Southeast Texas; this was the start of the first official
Anglo-American colonization. By 1835, the new Texans were fighting for
their independence from Mexico, and the Battle of
the Alamo,
along with other deadly skirmishes, were making Texas history.
Six National Flags have flown over Texas: Spain,
France, United Mexican States, Confederate States of America, the Republic
of Texas and the United States of America. Texas has gone through eight
changes of government.
Today's Texas offers a whole new world to explore.
Hunting,
Fishing,
Boating and
Camping opportunities are endless. From
Natural Bridge Caverns and
Cave Without A
Name, to riding horses on one of the many dude ranches
scattered throughout the state, or climbing one of Texas' many mountains,
Texas will keep even the hardiest outdoor enthusiast busy.
For those who don't have such rugged taste, the Texan people have ongoing
festivals and fiestas to visit. The
Poteet Strawberry Festival, the
Cowboy Homecoming and Rodeo in Pleasanton, and apple and
peanut and strawberry festivals abound. Taste the special flavor of
Texan barbecue and line dance to the unique western music. Stroll the
The Riverwalk in historic San Antonio or shop in the modern
metropolis of Dallas. Whether wandering through the haunting
Blackland Prairies and Upper
Coastal Plain region, or hooting and hollering on one of the
rides at
Six Flags Fiesta Texas, a stay in Texas is sure to delight
young and old alike.
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Find A Lawyer
If
you have been injured in Texas (TX) in an automobile / car
accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. You
may not feel as if you have been injured, but it is still a
good idea to seek treatment. Some injuries may not show for
days or weeks after an accident. Even minor traffic
accidents can produce injuries that are disproportionate to
the event and in some cases symptoms may not arise until
well after the original accident.