Texas (TEK-səə ss, locally additionally TEK-siz; Spanish: Texas or Tejas) is one of the most populated state in the South Central region of the United States. It surrounds Louisiana to the eastern, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and a worldwide border with the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the south and southwest. Texas has a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast. Treatment 268,596 square miles (695,660 km2) and with over 31 million residents as of 2024, it is the second-largest state by location and population. Texas is nicknamed the Lone Celebrity State for the single star on its flag, symbolic of its previous condition as an independent nation, the Republic of Texas. Spain was the initial European country to claim and control Texas. Complying with a temporary nest regulated by France, Mexico regulated the land till 1836 when Texas won its self-reliance, coming to be the Republic of Texas. In 1845, Texas joined the USA of America as the 28th state. The state's addition triggered a chain of events that brought about the Mexican–-- American Battle in 1846. Following victory by the USA, Texas stayed a servant state up until the American Civil Battle, when it declared its secession from the Union in early 1861 before formally signing up with the Confederate States on March 2. After the Civil Battle and the restoration of its depiction in the federal government, Texas entered an extended period of financial torpidity. Historically, 5 major markets shaped the economic situation of Texas before World War II: bison, livestock, cotton, oil, and wood. Before and after the Civil War, the livestock sector—-- which Texas concerned dominate—-- was a significant economic chauffeur and produced the traditional photo of the Texas cowboy. In the later 19th century, cotton and lumber grew to be significant markets as the cattle industry ended up being less profitable. Ultimately, the exploration of major petroleum deposits (Spindletop particularly) launched an economic boom that became the driving force behind the economic situation for much of the 20th century. Texas created a diversified economic climate and advanced sector throughout the mid-20th century. Since 2024, it has the second-highest number (52) of Ton of money 500 firms headquartered in the United States. With an expanding base of sector, the state leads in numerous sectors, including tourist, agriculture, petrochemicals, power, computers and electronics, aerospace, and biomedical scientific researches. Texas has actually led the U. S. in state export earnings given that 2002 and has the second-highest gross state item. The Dallas–-- Ft Worth metroplex and Greater Houston areas are the nation's 4th and fifth-most populated urban areas specifically. Its capital city is Austin. Because of its size and geologic features such as the Balcones Fault, Texas contains diverse landscapes typical to both the U. S. Southern and the Southwestern areas. Most populace centers are in locations of previous grassy fields, meadows, woodlands, and the shoreline. Taking a trip from eastern to west, terrain varieties from seaside swamps and piney woods, to rolling levels and sturdy hills, to the desert and mountains of the Huge Bend.
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