Texas ( The Lone Star State ) The name Texas is a Spanish name, which comes from an Indian word meaning "friends" or "allies." The Republic of Texas achieved its independence from Mexico in 1836, the same year as the famous siege of the Alamo in which pioneers Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett were slain. It became the 28th state in 1845. Texas is the second largest state. Although it has a wild frontier history, today Texas is a major producer of oil and has important centers of industry and finance. Frontier cowboys with their 10-gallon hats have long been a symbol of the state. Cowboys still ride across the plains driving great herds of cattle; and cowboy hats and boots still make up the everyday dress of many rural Texans. However, the Texans of today are just as likely to be workers in an oilfield or scientists in a laboratory as they are to be cowboys. Some of the most popular resort centers in Texas are on the Gulf Coast. Sandy beaches stretch along most of the coast, making it ideal for swimming, boating and deep sea fishing. Some of the famous celebrities that were born in Texas include: Bill Paxton, Grant Hill, Stephen Herek, Michelle Rodriguez, The Flag of Texas Entered the Union in 1845 as the 28th State; flag adopted in 1839. The American origin of the settlers who revolted against Mexican rule and established the independent Republic of Texas was reflected in the flags they carried, including the one which eventually became the State flag of the "Lone Star State".   Largest Cities in the State (2000) Houston, 1,953,631; Dallas, 1,188,580; San Antonio, 1,144,646; Austin, 656,562; El Paso, 563,662; Fort Worth, 534,694; Arlington, 332,969; Corpus Christi, 277,454; Plano, 222,030; Garland, 215,768   Business and Trade in Texas Agriculture: Cattle, cotton, dairy products, nursery stock, poultry, sorghum, corn, wheat. Industries: Chemical products, petroleum and natural gas, food processing, electric equipment, machinery, mining, tourism. State Symbols and Emblems Bird: Mockingbird Flower: Bluebonnet (lupinus) Tree: Pecan (carya illinoensis) Song(s): Texas, Our Texas Motto: Friendship Texas Travel - Vacation Destinations & Recreation National parks and historic locations suitable for family vacations or day trips. • Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument - Fritch • Cooper Lake - Sulphur Springs • O.C. Fisher Lake - San Angelo • Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge - Muleshoe • Twin Buttes Reservoir - San Angelo

Capital: Austin     Local Weather  Statehood: 1845-12-29  Population: 20,851,820 (79.6 mi2)   Geographic Area (mi2)     Total 268,580.82     Water 6,783.70     Land 261,797.12     Rank 2nd Largest   State Education:     Pub & Prv Schools     College & University     Libraries   Border States: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma   Health Information:     Illicit Drug Use     Youth Risk Survey   Housing: In Texas, there are 8,157,575 housing units, averaging to 31.2 per sq mile.   Related Magazines:     Texas Parks & Wildlife     Texas Sportsman     Inside Texas Magazine     Texas Monthly     American Cowboy     Red Raider Sports Magazine     Austin Business Journal   Posters and Artwork Union Station, El Paso, Texas Art Print 17" x 11" • Epsom Downs Race Track, Houston, Texas Art Print 17" x 11" • Mt. Cristo Rey, El Paso, Texas Art Print 17" x 11" • Ferry Boat, Galveston, Texas Pre-Matted Print 11" x 14" • Houston, Texas, USA Photographic Print 60" x 20" • Mission San Juan, San Antonio, Texas, USA Photographic Print 16" x 12"