Geography

History

The Caddo, Comanche, Apache, Lipan, Tonkawa, Karankawas and Coahuiltecan were some of the native American tribes living in the area that would become Texas during the initial European exploration and settlement. The first documented European exploration of the area was by Cabeza de Vaca (1528). In 1685 Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle established a garrison at Fort St. Louis at Matagorda Bay. Spanish colonists driven south from New Mexico by war with native Americans founded the first permanent colony at Ysleta (present day El Paso) in 1682. The land that would later become Texas was a part of New Spain, and then Mexico after the Mexican revolution.

Prior to entering the Union of the United States, Texas was an independent republic (independence from Mexico was declared in 1836). The act of March 1, 1845 annexed the Republic of Texas to the United States. The act authorized formation of a State government and admission thereafter. The annexation was formally accepted by the Republic of Texas on 4 July 1845. Texas was admitted as the 28th state on December 29, 1845 by a joint resolution of Congress.

Texas is the only state to be ruled by six different nations. The nations are: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States.

Business and Economy

The economic product (GSP or gross state product) of the state in 2003 was 813,112 million dollars. The state produces various commodities including cattle, cotton, greenhouse or nursery plants and broiler chickens. Petroleum is a notable industy. From 2000 to 2003 the GSP increased by 13.07%. Texas's GSP represents 7.45% percent of the combined GSP of the fifty states and the District of Columbia.

Texas

Texas

Texas is a state in the Southern United States. It ranks second among US states in both area and population. The capital of Texas is Austin. According to the 2000 census, the most populous city was Houston followed by Dallas and San Antonio. According to census estimates San Antonio has since grown larger than Dallas. The state population was 20,851,820 according to the 2000 census.

The state name may have originated from the word "teysha" meaning "hello friend" in the language of a Caddo Indian tribe. Spanish explorers and settlers used this word to refer to the friendly tribes throughout Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

Society and Culture

President George W. Bush grew up in Texas. A person from Texas is called a Texan. The state is nicknamed the Lone Star State. Its tourism slogan is “It's Like a Whole Other Country.”

Demographics

The population was 16,986,510 at the time of the 1990 census. The State's population in 2003 was estimated to be 22,118,509 by the US Census Bureau. The state experienced an estimated growth of 6.1% between 2000 and 2003.

Texas's population is relatively diverse with a slight non-Latino white majority and significant Latino and Black populations. According to the 2003 census, the ethnic breakdown of the state is:
White: 71%
Black: 11.5%
Indian: 0.6%
Asian: 2.7%
Pacific Islander: 0.1%
Other Races: 11.7%
Two or more races: 2.5%

The state's latinos represent 32% of the total population. 52.4% of the population classifies itself as non-latino white.