Texas is the most populous state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Mexico. With an area of 268,596 square miles and over 31 million residents as of 2024, it is the second-largest state by both area and population. Known as the Lone Star State, Texas has a rich history, having been claimed by Spain and later controlled by Mexico until gaining independence in 1836. It joined the U.S. in 1845, which led to the Mexican-American War.
Historically, major industries included bison, cattle, cotton, oil, and timber, with the cattle industry shaping the Texas cowboy image. The discovery of oil at Spindletop fueled an economic boom in the 20th century. Texas has a diverse economy, ranking second in the number of Fortune 500 companies and leading in exports since 2002.
The capital is Austin, and the most populous urban areas are the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and Greater Houston. Texas features diverse landscapes, from coastal swamps and forests to plains, hills, deserts, and mountains.
