Texas Facts For Kids | The Lone Star State

Texas is the second largest state and the largest producer of oil in the United States. It is home to many cowboys, freedom fighters, and outlaws. A state in which people of different cultures come close to each other and a place of friendly and welcoming people whose motto is ‘friendship’. Native American hunters and farmers were the first people to live in Texas. They used to grow squash, beans, and corns. Their cone-shaped homes were built of grass.

Texas Facts For Kids

Introduction

• Official Language: No official Language
• Capital City: Austin
• Ranking: 2^nd Largest City
• Nickname: The Lone Star State
• State Anthem: Texas, Our Texas
• Motto: Friendship

History

1. According to Archaeologists three major cultures are thought to exist in Texas; the Pueblo, the Mississippi culture, and the civilizations of Mesoamerica.
2. Alvar de Pineda, a Spanish explorer was the first ever European to set his foot in Texas in 1528.
3. The start of 20^th century was not at all good for Texas people as they experience a Galveston Hurricane—a deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. It occurred in 1900.
4. Spindletop was the first ever oil well discovered in Jan 10. 1901. under the Gulf of Mexico.
5. The Great Depression had badly hit the State’s economy in 1933.
6. On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was killed in Dallas, Texas.

 

Geography & Size

1. Texas is the second largest U.S. State—comes after Alaska.
2. The total land area is measured at 268,820 square miles (696,200 km²).
3. Texas is twice the size of Germany and Japan.
4. Had it been an independent country, it would have stood the 40^th largest country.
5. The state stands in the south-central part of the United States.
6. There are 3,700 streams and 15 big rivers in Texas. Rio Grande is the largest river in Texas.
7. Texas is the biggest oil producer in the United States.
8. Guadalupe Peak is the highest point of Texas.
9. Gulf of Mexico is the lowest point.

Population and People

1. Texas is the second largest state in the United States by population. It has the total population of 26,448,193.
2. Spanish is one of the most spoken languages—second to English only. According to an estimate of 2010, around 29.21% of people speak Spanish.
3. One of the most familiar symbols of Texas is ‘The Alamo’.
4. The oldest Art of Museum of Texas was founded in 1892 and was called ‘Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth’.
5. Texas has 730 airports in total with the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport being the largest airport.
6. The minimum wage of Texans is 7.25 U.S. Dollars per hour.
7. Texas has more farms and ranches than any other American state.

 

Fauna and Flora

1. Texas is home to many different animals and insects. It has 65 species of Mammals; 213 species of reptiles; 590 bird species which is perhaps the greatest variety throughout the United States.
2. In the recent times, authorities have introduced 12 new species.
3. Texas is one of those places where wasps present in huge numbers. In addition, bluebonnet is the state flower along with other wild flowers.
4. Mexican Free-tailed bat is the only flying mammal in Texas.
5. Armadillo, a small mammal is also native to Texas.
6. Prickly pear cactus is the native plant of State.

Climate | Interesting Texas Facts For Kids

1. You will find a significant difference in the climate within Texas; as the western tip of the state receives relatively less rainfall of 8.7 inches (220 mm) whereas the southeast tip is high enough to enjoy 64 inches (1,600 mm) of rainfall.
2. The North Texas and the western tip of the state are mountainous areas which mean that they receive snowfall at least twice a year.
3. In the West Texas (mountainous regions) the maximum temperature in summer is 90^o F while in the Rio Grande Valley the average maximum temperature is 100^o F.
4. The state had a long history of Hurricanes as in 1875 in Indianola the hurricane killed 400 people.
5. The Galveston Hurricane in 1900 is the worst hurricane ever in the U.S. History it killed 8,000 people or more.
6. The Hurricane Audrey occurred in 1957 and it claimed 600 lives.

Cities and Counties of Texas

1. Texas has 254 counties which is the greatest than any other American State.
2. Houston is the largest city of Texas with the population of 2,099,451.
3. Laredo is the smallest city with the population of only 236,091.
4. Harris is the largest county by population of 4,092,459.
5. The state has 115 national parks.