Discover 100 Facts About Texas: History, Culture, Landscapes

Welcome to our guide on 100 facts about Texas, where we will take you on a journey through the rich history, culture, and diverse landscapes of the Lone Star State. From the iconic Alamo in San Antonio to the sprawling metropolis of Houston, Texas offers a unique blend of southern hospitality, cowboy culture, and modern innovation. Whether you are a native Texan or just curious about this vibrant state, read on to discover fascinating facts about Texas.

Discover 100 Facts About Texas: History, Culture, Landscapes

• Texas is the second-largest state in the United States by both area and population.
• The capital city of Texas is Austin.
• Texas has 254 counties.
• The state flower of Texas is the bluebonnet.
• The state bird of Texas is the northern mockingbird.
• The state tree of Texas is the pecan tree.
• Texas is known as the "Lone Star State" due to its state flag, which features a single white star on a blue background.
• Texas was an independent republic from 1836 to 1845 before joining the United States.
• The Texas Revolution, which led to Texas' independence from Mexico, was fought from 1835 to 1836.
• The Alamo, a mission in San Antonio, was the site of a pivotal battle in the Texas Revolution.
• The Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution.
• Texas has a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico.
• The Texas Gulf Coast is home to a number of popular beach destinations, including Galveston, Corpus Christi, and South Padre Island.
• The Port of Houston is one of the busiest ports in the United States.
• Texas is a major producer of oil and gas.
• The Permian Basin, located in West Texas, is one of the largest oil-producing regions in the world.
• Texas is also a major agricultural state, producing a wide variety of crops including cotton, wheat, and citrus fruits.
• The cattle industry is also an important part of Texas' economy.
• Texas is home to a number of major cities, including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.
• The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.
• Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest city in the United States.
• Austin is the capital city of Texas and is known for its vibrant music and arts scene.
• San Antonio is home to the Alamo and is also known for its River Walk, a network of walkways along the San Antonio River.
• The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest universities in the United States.
• Texas A&M University, located in College Station, is one of the largest universities in Texas.
• Texas Tech University, located in Lubbock, is known for its strong engineering and agricultural programs.
• Baylor University, located in Waco, is a private Christian university.
• Rice University, located in Houston, is known for its strong programs in science and engineering.
• The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the largest rodeos in the world.
• The State Fair of Texas, held annually in Dallas, is one of the largest state fairs in the United States.
• Texas is home to a number of professional sports teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs.
• The University of Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies have a long-standing football rivalry.
• The Texas State Capitol, located in Austin, is the largest state capitol building in the United States.
• The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, located in Houston, is the center for human spaceflight training, research, and flight control for NASA.
• Texas is home to a number of national parks and historic sites, including Big Bend National Park, Padre Island National Seashore, and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
• The Texas Medical Center, located in Houston, is the largest medical complex in the world.
• The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the most visited museums in the United States.
• The San Antonio River Walk is a popular tourist destination with shops, restaurants, and riverboat tours.
• The Houston Zoo is home to over 6,000 animals from 900 species.
• The Texas Rangers are a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction, originally created to protect settlers from Native American raids.
• The Gulf Coast region of Texas is prone to hurricanes, with Hurricane Harvey in 2017 causing significant damage and flooding.
• The West Texas town of Marfa is known for its mysterious "Marfa Lights," which appear to be unexplained light phenomena.
• The Rio Grande is the longest river in Texas and forms the border between Texas and Mexico.
• The King Ranch in South Texas is one of the largest ranches in the world, spanning over 825,000 acres.
• The Texas State Railroad, located in East Texas, offers scenic train rides through the Piney Woods region.
• The Texas State Cemetery in Austin is the final resting place of a number of prominent Texans, including former governor Ann Richards and author Larry McMurtry.
• The Texas Wine Trail, which runs through the Hill Country region, is home to over 50 wineries.
• The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is also known for its annual barbecue cook-off, which draws competitors from across the state.
• Texas has a rich history of rodeo and cowboy culture, with the Fort Worth Stockyards and the Mesquite Championship Rodeo among the most well-known venues.
• The Texas Hill Country is known for its scenic beauty and is a popular destination for outdoor activities like hiking and camping.
• The Big Bend region of West Texas is known for its rugged landscapes, including the Chisos Mountains and the Rio Grande canyons.
• The Texas Department of Transportation maintains over 80,000 miles of highways and roads in the state.
• The San Jacinto Monument, located near Houston, commemorates the Battle of San Jacinto and is the tallest stone column monument in the world.
• The Texas Education Agency oversees public education in the state, which is divided into over 1,000 school districts.
• The Texas Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry in the state.
• The Dallas Arts District is one of the largest arts districts in the United States, with a number of museums and performance venues.
• The Fort Worth Cultural District is home to several world-class museums, including the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
• The Texas State Fair is known for its fried food, with unique offerings like fried butter, fried Oreos, and fried chicken-fried bacon.
• The San Antonio Spurs have won five NBA championships, with Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich among the most successful coach-player duos in league history.
• The Dallas Cowboys have won five Super Bowls, including three in a four-year span in the 1990s.
• The Houston Astros won their first World Series championship in 2017.
• The Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies have a strong rivalry in baseball, with both teams consistently ranked among the top programs in the country.
• The Permian Basin is also a major producer of natural gas, with the Eagle Ford Shale formation in South Texas also contributing significantly to the state's energy production.
• The Texas Workforce Commission is responsible for overseeing the state's labor market and workforce development programs.
• The Texas State Board of Education is responsible for setting educational standards and overseeing the adoption of textbooks in public schools.
• The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the United States, with over 50,000 students.
• The Alamo, located in downtown San Antonio, is a historic site that played a key role in the Texas Revolution and is a popular tourist attraction.
• The Port of Houston is one of the busiest ports in the world, handling over 250 million tons of cargo annually.
• The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston is the headquarters of NASA's human spaceflight program.
• The Texas Medical Center in Houston is the largest medical center in the world, with over 50 institutions and hospitals.
• The State Capitol in Austin is the largest state capitol building in the United States, and the sixth-largest building in the world by square footage.
• The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
• The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University are both members of the prestigious Association of American Universities.
• The Texas Historical Commission is responsible for preserving and promoting the state's historic resources.
• The Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth is one of the largest and most popular NASCAR race tracks in the country.
• The Circuit of the Americas in Austin hosts the United States Grand Prix, as well as other motorsport events.
• The Guadalupe Mountains National Park in West Texas features some of the highest peaks in Texas, as well as unique geological formations.
• The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that preserves several historic missions and is a popular tourist destination.
• The University Interscholastic League oversees athletic and academic competitions for public schools in Texas.
• The Texas State Fair is held annually at Fair Park in Dallas, and features carnival rides, live music, and a variety of exhibits and competitions.
• The Texas Film Commission promotes the state as a location for film and television production, and offers incentives to filmmakers.
• The Texas Military Forces include the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, and Texas State Guard.
• The Texas State Capitol complex includes a number of historic buildings, including the Governor's Mansion, the Texas Supreme Court building, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
• The Texas Railroad Museum in Frisco features a collection of historic trains and railroad artifacts.
• The Texas Renaissance Festival, held annually near Houston, is one of the largest and most popular renaissance fairs in the country.
• The Texas Music Office promotes the state's music industry, which includes a wide range of genres from country to hip-hop.
• The Big Bend National Park in West Texas is one of the largest and most remote national parks in the United States, and features a wide range of wildlife and landscapes.
• The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the largest rodeos in the world, and features a variety of livestock competitions and exhibits.
• The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulates air and water quality, as well as waste management, in the state.
• The Texas Commission on the Arts supports and promotes the state's arts and cultural industries, including visual art, music, and theater.
• The Texas Lottery Commission oversees the state's lottery and other gaming activities.
• The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is responsible for managing the state's prison system, which is one of the largest in the country.
• The Texas Department of Public Safety includes the Texas Highway Patrol, the Texas Rangers, and the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
• The Texas Railroad and Heritage Museum in Temple features exhibits and artifacts related to the state's railroad history.
• The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is responsible for preserving and providing access to the state's historical documents and records.
• The Texas Education Agency oversees public education in the state, including setting academic standards and administering standardized tests.
• The Texas Commission on Human Rights is responsible for enforcing state laws prohibiting discrimination.
• The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department manages the state's parks and natural resources, including hunting and fishing regulations and wildlife conservation efforts.
• The Texas State Cemetery in Austin is the final resting place for many famous Texans, including former governors, military leaders, and notable figures in Texas history.
• The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi is home to a wide range of marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, and sharks, and is one of the largest aquariums in the state.

We hope you enjoyed our guide on 100 facts about Texas, and that it has given you a deeper appreciation for this fascinating state. From the towering peaks of the Guadalupe Mountains to the sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast, Texas offers something for everyone. With its rich history, unique culture, and breathtaking scenery, it's no wonder that so many people are proud to call Texas home.