Texas (TEK-səə ss, locally also TEK-siz; Spanish: Texas or Tejas) is the most populated state in the South Central area of the United States. It surrounds Louisiana to the eastern, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and an international border with the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the south and southwest. Texas has a shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast. Covering 268,596 square miles (695,660 km2) and with over 31 million homeowners as of 2024, it is the second-largest state by location and populace. Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State for the single star on its flag, symbolic of its former condition as an independent nation, the Republic of Texas. Spain was the first European nation to insurance claim and control Texas. Following a temporary nest regulated by France, Mexico managed the land till 1836 when Texas won its freedom, coming to be the Republic of Texas. In 1845, Texas signed up with the USA of America as the 28th state. The state's addition set off a chain of events that led to the Mexican–-- American Battle in 1846. Following victory by the USA, Texas remained a servant state until the American Civil Battle, when it proclaimed its secession from the Union in very early 1861 prior to officially joining the Confederate States on March 2. After the Civil Battle and the reconstruction of its depiction in the federal government, Texas went into a long period of financial stagnancy. Historically, 5 significant sectors shaped the economic situation of Texas before World War II: bison, livestock, cotton, oil, and wood. Prior to and after the Civil War, the cattle industry—-- which Texas concerned control—-- was a significant economic chauffeur and produced the conventional picture of the Texas cowboy. In the later 19th century, cotton and lumber expanded to be significant sectors as the cattle market came to be much less rewarding. Eventually, the exploration of major petroleum deposits (Spindletop specifically) initiated a financial boom that ended up being the driving force behind the economy for much of the 20th century. Texas established a diversified economy and high tech industry during the mid-20th century. As of 2024, it has the second-highest number (52) of Lot of money 500 firms headquartered in the United States. With a growing base of market, the state leads in several industries, including tourism, agriculture, petrochemicals, power, computer systems and electronic devices, aerospace, and biomedical sciences. Texas has led the U. S. in state export income because 2002 and has the second-highest gross state product. The Dallas–-- Ft Well worth metroplex and Greater Houston areas are the country's fourth and fifth-most populated metropolitan areas respectively. Its capital city is Austin. Due to its size and geologic functions such as the Balcones Fault, Texas includes diverse landscapes usual to both the U. S. Southern and the Southwestern regions. Many populace facilities remain in locations of former pastures, meadows, woodlands, and the coast. Taking a trip from east to west, terrain ranges from seaside swamps and piney timbers, to rolling levels and sturdy hills, to the desert and mountains of the Large Bend.
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