Texas Facts: Curious Details Revealed On The Lone Star State

If you have an undying love for the barbeque or the 'Tex-Mex' food, then Texas is where you should head to!

Texas is an embodiment of diversity, be it in its scenic richness or its cuisine, dresses, music, flora, fauna, and other traditions. You get everything in this one place!

The famous second-largest state in the US, Texas, also known as 'The Lone Star State', is a remarkable place to visit. The name serves as a symbol of the 10 years of independence and is symbolized by the Lone Star flag. With a population density of more than 28 million, the state boasts a rich cultural history and geographical diversity. Features like caves, forests, mountains, canyons, river systems, valleys, and deserts enhance the scenic beauty of Texas. The place is also famous for its cowboy culture, but are you aware of the diversity of the Texas economy? Texas is home to a large number of industrial sectors, including agriculture, technology, shipping, aerospace, and many more. There are more than 181 educational institutions and research colleges. If you ever visit Texas with your family, then be sure to visit the popular Big Bend National Park for a memorable experience!

If you have a wandering traveler's mind, then don't miss out on these facts about the Brooklyn Bridge in New York and about Maine for an unforgettable experience.

Texas State History

The history of the Texas state is spellbinding! Let's look at some interesting historical facts about this spectacular state.

Although the ancient history of Texas is shrouded in mystery, it's believed that some of the first inhabitants and settlers were the American Indians who resided in present-day Texas for more than a thousand years. However, the first evidence of settlements has been traced back to 13,000 BC.

Do you know about the Alamo? The Alamo Fort in San Antonio once served the Spanish in their missions. At the time of the Texas Revolution in 1836, the fort was occupied by 200 Texans under the leadership of Jim Bowie and William Barret Travis, who sought to protect San Antonio from the attacks of Mexican troops. In March 1836, the Mexican politician and army officer, Santa Anna, launched an atrocious attack on the Texan defenders and defeated them. In his attempt, more than 600 of his soldiers lost their lives. Despite the precarious situation, the unstoppable Santa Anna went on with the rest of the army pursuing the chief Texan troop headed by Sam Houston. On the other hand, discerning the situation, Sam Houston's army attacked and defeated the vulnerable Mexican soldiers at San Jacinto and attained the most memorable independence for all Texans. Till today, the fort reminds the world of the glorious victory of Texas since the historical fall of the Alamo, symbolizing the struggle for freedom, self-sacrifice, and courage. In 1845, Texas was unanimously declared to be the US Union's 28th state. Overjoyed by the result, Texas voters conceded to the annexation of the state in the same year. In December of the same year, the annexation received formal approval from Congress, and hence it ultimately became a part of the US.

Texas Geographical Location

Texas stretches across a vast expanse of the US, occupying around 7% of its land and water surface. For a detailed description of Texas' location, read on.

The state of Texas is situated in the South-Central United States, spreading about 268,820 sq. mi (696,241 sq. km) in total area. The state is usually broken up into six parts by the natives, namely East Texas, West Texas, North Texas, South Texas, Central Texas, and also the Panhandle. The city of El Paso is geographically nearer to Arizona than East Texas, while the city of Orange is comparatively farther away from El Paso than Jacksonville, Florida. Texas holds a dense population with approximately 24.3 million residents. Are you familiar with the top three most populous cities in Texas? They're Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. While Houston holds the largest population of 2,320,268 people, San Antonio houses 1,547,253 people. Do you know that fossils of dinosaurs have been excavated from several regions in Texas? It includes the fossils of Tyrannosaurus rex!

Texas People And Culture History

The richness of culture and the people inhabiting Texas make the state unique. Here are some lesser-known facts about Texas culture and its communities.

The Lone Star flag is actually the official Texas state flag. It comprises a single star, or lone star, from which the name is derived. In 1839, the Republic of Texas first recognized the flag as the state's national flag. The flag retains the three distinct colors of the American flag, with each color having a special significance. The colors blue, white, and red represent loyalty, purity, and bravery, respectively. The Texas flag is highly revered by all Texans. Texas is also the sole state to wave six flags together. The six flags are those of the Republic of Texas, Mexico, France, Spain, the United States, and the Confederate States. These six flags are symbols of the states that exercised power over Texas at some point in history.

The state flower of Texas has been the bluebonnet for the last few hundred years. If you visit Texas during spring, you'll find these purple bluebonnets bordering most of the backroads and highways. The capital city of Austin, Texas, has been regarded as the 'Live Music Capital of the World' since 1991, owing to the large number of musical venues where live concerts are held. Did you know that the singers Selena Gomez and Beyoncé hail from Texas? In fact, actresses Hilary Duff and Jennifer Garner are also from this state.

What is the most southern city in Texas?

Texas is composed of over a thousand cities, each with its own set of attributes. Some are absolutely worth the visit. So, it's time to find out more about some of these magnificent cities in Texas.

The city located in the southernmost part of Texas is Brownsville. The city is a hotspot for crowds, especially because its pleasant subtropical climate is ideal for exploring the biking trails, vast expanses of farmlands, wildlife refuges, beaches, and forests. The mesmerizing South Padre Island is a major crowd puller! About 500 tropical bird species can be spotted in the forests and riversides throughout the year, so people love to go birding. Additionally, the city is renowned for some historical events. In 1846, the Mexican War fought between the Mexicans and Americans over Texas' annexation commenced in this city. In fact, the last Civil War fight also took place near eastern Brownsville in the Palmito Ranch. However, if you're looking for a safe place for your family in Texas, then the capital city, Austin, could be your first choice. It's considered the safest city, with several educational institutions. Plano is also one of the best cities to establish a family as the housing costs are significantly lower. Cities like Hutto, Arlington, Anna, Round Rock, College Station, and League City are some of the other best options for raising a family.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Texas facts, then why not take a look at Dominican Republic education facts, or 27 incredible Cuba culture facts that reflect Cuban life!