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All About Texas
Texas is a constituent state of the United States of America. With the fourth longest seacoast among the 48 coterminous states and a large shipping industry to match, it occupies the south-central segment of the nation. Its 266,807 square miles (691,030 square kilometres) make it larger than any nation in Europe with the exception of Russia. Water delineates many of its borders: the Rio Grande carves a shallow channel that separates Texas from Mexico on the southwest; the Gulf of Mexico laps its crescent-shaped coast on the southeast; the Sabine River forms most of the eastern boundary with Louisiana, where by land it is bounded by Arkansas as well; and the wriggling course of the Red River on the north makes up two-thirds of the state's boundary with Oklahoma. The Panhandle section juts northward, forming a counterpart in the western part of Oklahoma, and New Mexico lies to the west. Austin is the state capital.
The vastness and diversity of Texas, the largest state in the Union except for Alaska, are evident in nearly all aspects of its physical character, its history, and the economic and social life of its people. As an example, January temperatures in the Rio Grande valley have been known to register well over 90° F (32° C), while at the same time, nearly halfway to Canada, blizzards were blocking highways in the Panhandle section of the state. The image of Texas was that of a raw and lawless frontier when, in 1845, it surrendered its status as an independent republic to become the 28th state of the United States. This picture has altered drastically in the 20th century and now combines great agricultural wealth, major oil and natural gas production, high national rankings in industry and finance, huge urban centres that foster a cosmopolitan cultural life, and seemingly unending stretches of high prairie and range devoted to cattle and cotton.
The name of the state derives from the Spanish name (from an Indian word meaning allies or friends) for an Indian group. Texas is commonly divided into East and West, although the dividing line between the two is ambiguous. Generally, though, East Texas has a wet climate and is characterized by cotton and ties to the Old South, while West Texas is dry and is characterized by cattle ranching and an affinity to the West.
Far from being merely wide, arid plains that are filled with cattle and cowboys, Texas comprises a series of gigantic steps, from the fertile and densely populated Coastal Plains in the southeast to the high plains and mountains in the west and northwest. Stretching inland from the Gulf Coast, the Coastal Plains range from sea level to about 1,000 feet (305 metres). These flat, low prairies extend inland to form a fertile crescent that is well adapted to farming and cattle raising. Near the coast much land is marshy, almost swamp, except where drained by man-made devices. The western anchor of the Coastal Plains is the Rio Grande valley, where a heavy investment in citrus farming occasionally is damaged by disastrous freezes.
Cotton, cattle, and oil - all based on land resources - dominated the successive stages in Texas' economic development until the mid-20th century, and they have continued to undergird the state's basic wealth. Retailing and wholesaling, banking and insurance, and construction have been among the activities reflecting the general affluence, urbanization, and diversification of the state's economy. Despite the growth of manufacturing and other industries, however, the Texas economy has remained heavily dependent on oil and gas. Fluctuations in oil prices - such as those occurring in the 1980s - have directly affected the economy, with the result that the classic Texas ''boom and bust'' economic cycle has continued.
Numerous national corporate headquarters have moved to Texas, and petroleum companies have explored for new sources of energy to continue their leadership in providing fuel for the nation. The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, an installation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is located in Houston and is among many federal air installations in Texas. In addition, tourism has become a major business, and Dallas has attracted attention as a fashion centre - generally a low-wage industry, however, for most employees. Texas also has become preeminent in its oceanographic investigations into uses of the continental shelf and in the areas of medicine and surgery.
The vastness of Texas and its contrasts in terrain originally posed great difficulties for transportation yet greatly stimulated its development. The desire to develop inland areas was one factor leading to the establishment of Austin as the capital. In 1852 the legislature granted public lands to railroads for each mile of track constructed, and in 1883 it authorized a county road tax for farm-to-market dirt roads. By 1900 railroads crisscrossed the state, and dirt roads straggled between most communities. Today Texas leads the nation in road and rail mileage. It has a well-developed federal and state highway system, although concentrated in the more heavily populated east; this system is supplemented by an extensive network of roads maintained by counties and cities. As in other states, the actual mileage of mainline railroads has diminished, and passenger transportation has been discontinued over most lines. Operating freight revenues, however, have increased tremendously since the mid-20th century.
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Texas Lodging News
Resolved Question: Where can I find any kind of job that will pay for food and a place to stay in Texas ?
I've graduated recently and I've enlisted into the US Marine Corps. Only problem is that I my shipment date isn't until December. I am unable to find a job in my surrounding area because I have no vehicle and I am REALLY low on money, with no place to stay.
So I'm looking for a job that'll pay for food and lodging.
Maybe something like a oil field or something ...
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Resolved Question: Louisiana Wild Boar Hunting?
Does anyone know of any hunting lodges in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, or East Texas that have decent rates? My fiance' and I want to go on a guided hunting trip for our honeymoon sometime next year and don't know where to start when it comes to finding a lodge.
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Voting Question: is my knee sprained? Can someone tell me if it's only a mild sprain or something?
I was just now outside pulling TP out of my family's trees because a couple of mysterious people came and TP'd our trees in the middle of the night last night. Anyway, I was pulling some TP out of the trees ( I was standing on a chair.), then, I gave up and jumped down off of the chair. When I was walking inside, I felt a pain on the left side of my right knee. ( I'm not faking it, it's true!) But, I took an ibruprofen and put an ACE bandage on my knee. But, everytime I walk, it hurts really bad. So, can anyone tell me if it's sprained? I want it to heal before I go to the Great Wolf Lodge in Texas tomorrow. ( Yes, it's tomorrow. Sorry! :) ) Thanks!
I REALLY need help! I need it to heal before my trip tomorrow! Please help me and tell me if I sprained it? I'm NOT faking!
Does anyone think I have to use only ONE crutch?
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Resolved Question: is a disney world deluxe resort worth the money?
I am planning early june 2011 trip to disneyworld, me, my husband, my mother in law, brother(13) and sister(21). I wanted to get 2 rooms. Me and my husband stayed at the CB resort for our honeymoon this past march. It was great, the weather was perfect a lil chili. But were from texas so if its not 100 out its chili. not many crowds. We were only there for 3nights 4 days we saw a majority of stuff but we didn't get to enjoy everything. We didn't even know there was a pool side bar until we checked out! That's important when your in your 20s and on your honeymoon. We did drink at downtown disney house of blues and there's a night club at boardwalk. Wasn't are type of music though it was mostly pop and hip hop.
For this trip in june I wanted to go all out and stay at the animal kingdom lodge, but at 300 a night per room! I'm not sure. The all star resort seem like a great value at about 100 a night per room but they seem like they are designed for younger kids and there's no slide at the pool unlike the moderate or deluxe. Are the pools open 24 hours? I was hoping to stay 4 nights istead of 3 so we are able to take our time since there will be more of us and my mother in law will be renting a wheelchair. How much does it cost to rent one? And I have heard that there are passes for people in wheelchairs will this help us move through things faster? She is not handicaped she just can't stand foor very long. If anyone has any tips it would be great to hear them. I also will be having a car so I will not be taking the buses aroung disney. What kind of special and discounts do they usally have around june? Is the first 2 weeks of a bad time to go?? And how's the weather that time of year?? I have to go around this time of year cuz siblings have school husband can't get off during spring break and I plan on making payments through disney
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Resolved Question: What are your thoughts and advice on my venture through Canada?
I am planning and saving for a trip through parts of Canada next spring or summer with a friend of mine. She is from Texas, and I live in Canada myself. We initially wanted to go to the Yukon for a couple of weeks, but now it's turning towards the Yukon, British Columbia, and Newfoundland. We are planning not to take a vehicle, which I know would be a lot easier in some sense, but we would rather take Trains, Ferry's and a Bus if the need for one is there. I already found some links for a Train from Alaska, through the Yukon. I also found a site for the Train that runs through B.C. If that is not complicated enough without the vehicle on our own. we also plan to camp outdoors, rather a lodge or hotel. So we are packing a lot on our backs from the tent and sleeping bags, to safety supplies and supplies itself. I plan on having a lot more money than needed in case of emergency. Things I have also considered is hostels, as I also plan to volunteer my time throughout each province. So there is a lot of planning to be done. I am just wondering what your advice and view or experience is with ventures like this. I am 23, and I grew up in the country, so please don't take me for naive or this being a first experience. I just wanted some input from fellow outdoor lovers.
I am also wondering how much money that an idividual should save up for moeny, emerceny, renting bikes or equiptment for two to three months of backpacking through the yukon. it turns out were wanting to stay in the yukon mostly, and want to live in our tent's through the entire venture. i looked up campgrounds that you can rent a space for $15-25 a night. is there places you don't have to pay for using tents, could you go further into the woodland? i'm not really sure of the regulations for camping out there. i am also figuring of saving a little over $2000 for the trip itself. not including all the supplies i will need to purchase.
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Resolved Question: Suggestions for travel for Austin or Fredericksburg, TX?
My husband and I just moved from NC to Houston and before we moved had this tradition of going to the Blue Ridge mountains for our anniversary in October/November...Gatlinburg, Asheville, Boone, etc. We are looking for something similar to do around this area. I figured I'd get the opinion of others familiar with Texas travel. We've thought about Austin, San Antonio, Fredricksburg, whatever is considered "hill country"...
We''d like to stay somewhere like a lodge or maybe a romantic but rustic B & B. We like small town shopping, dining, outdoor fall festivals, wineries, some touristy mountain attractions/historic tours, scenic driving for leaves changing...
I am looking for recommendations for that type of trip. Thanks!
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Resolved Question: Can you recommend a wedding venue on the Texas gulf coast?
The ideal location would offer a secluded beach front ceremony site, a covered reception area and nearby lodging.
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Resolved Question: things to do in dallas texas with childern?
planning on staying at the Great wolf lodge in grapevine. Wondering what else todo close by
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Resolved Question: moving from Seattle to El Paso (military)?
I am moving from Fort Lewis (seattle area) to Fort Bliss (El Paso, Texas). My husband and I are considering having the army move us because if we do it ourselves, we have to front 800+ dollars for the uhaul plus gas and I'd have to drive my truck down all alone... thats a VERY long drive lol
So my question is, what is the best way to do it? And, how do they rate the relocation pay they give you? How do they figure it out? I know they give you money for food/lodging/milage/gas etc if anybody has done a (semi) cross country move, could you maybe give me an idea of your experience, and what they payed you?
Also, do they provide temporary housing until you find a permanent place to live? Or do you have to stay in a hotel?
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Resolved Question: NYU and UNT college information?
hi everyone i'm looking for information about new york university (NYU) and the university of north texas (UNT).
could you please tell me the following for both schools? (if you only have info for one, that's wonderful):
-admission requirements
-graduation rate/percent
-gender
-size
-location
-tuition fees.
-lodging/dorms
-religious, or other affiliation
-academic reputation
-academic specialty.
thank you so much!
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