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{{US state
| Name = Texas
| Fullname = State of Texas
| Former = Republic of Texas
| Former_flag = Previous flag of Texas.svg
| Flag = Flag of Texas.svg
| Flaglink = ]
| Seal = Texas state seal.png
| Map = Map_of_USA_TX.svg
| Nickname = Lone Star State
| Motto = Friendship.
|Demonym = Texan
| Capital = ]
| demonym = Texan
| LargestCity = ]
| LargestMetro = ]<ref></ref>
| Governor = ] (R)
| Lieutenant Governor = ] (R)
| Senators = ] (R)<br> ] (R)
| PostalAbbreviation = TX
| TradAbbreviation = Tex.
| OfficialLang = No official language<br/>''See ]''
| AreaRank = 2<sup>nd</sup>
| TotalAreaUS = 268,820 <!--www.texasalmanac.com/facts/ Texas Almanac 2008-2009 Edition-->
| TotalArea = 696,241
| LandAreaUS = 261,797 <!--www.texasalmanac.com/facts/ Texas Almanac 2008-2009 Edition-->
| LandArea = 678,051
| WaterAreaUS = 6,784 <!--www.texasalmanac.com/facts/ Texas Almanac 2008-2009 Edition-->
| WaterArea = 17,574
| PCWater = 2.5
| PopRank = 2<sup>nd</sup>
| 2000Pop = 20,851,820
| 2007Pop (est) = 23,904,380
| DensityRank = 28th
| 2000DensityUS = 79.6 <!--quickfacts.census.gov -->
| 2000Density = 30.75
| Total GDP = $1,065,891,000
| Total GDP Rank = 2<sup>nd</sup>
| Per capita GDP = $43,283
| Per Capita GDP Rank = 16<sup>th</sup>
| AdmittanceOrder = 28<sup>th</sup>
| AdmittanceDate = ], ]
| TimeZone = ]: ]-6/]
| TZ1Where = most of state
| TimeZone2 =]: ]-7/]
| TZ2Where = tip of ]
| Latitude = 25°&#8202;50′ N to 36°&#8202;30′ N
| Longitude = 93°&#8202;31′ W to 106°&#8202;39′ W
| WidthUS = 773 <!-- http://www.texasalmanac.com/environment/ -->
| Width = 1,244
| LengthUS = 790
| Length = 1,270
| HighestPoint = ]<ref name=usgs>{{cite web| year =] ] | url =http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest| title =Elevations and Distances in the United States| publisher =U.S Geological Survey| accessmonthday = November 8 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref>
| HighestElevUS = 8,749
| HighestElev = 2,667
| MeanElevUS = 1,700
| MeanElev = 520
| LowestPoint = ] coast<ref name=usgs/>
| LowestElevUS = 0
| LowestElev = 0
| ISOCode = US-TX
| Website = www.texas.gov
}}
]
'''Texas''' ({{IPAEng|ˈtɛksəs}}) is a ] geographically located in the South Central United States. Texas is also known as the Lone Star State. ] is the ].

Texas is the second largest U.S. state in both area and population, with an area of {{convert|268820|sqmi|sqkm}} and a growing population of 23.9 million. ] is the state's largest city. The ]/] area is the largest ].

Traveling from east to west, the landscape of Texas gradually evolves from that of the ] into that of the desert ]. From ] to semi-forests of oak and ], to rolling plains and ], and finally to ] in the ]. It is these wide open spaces of the Texas prairie that have lent currency to the phrase that "everything is bigger in Texas."<ref></ref> Due to its long history as a center of the American cattle industry, Texas is associated throughout much of the world with the image of the ].

Historically and culturally, and partially due to settlement patterns and its membership in the ], Texas has very strong ties to the ]. However, having once been both a Spanish and Mexican possession, and bordering Mexico, it can also be considered a ]. Still, while most residents acknowledge these categories, many claim an independent "Texan" identity superseding regional labels.

] was the first European country to claim Texas. In ] it became the independent ]. In ] it joined the United States as the 28th state, causing the ] and planting seeds for the ]. The ] in the early ] led to an economic boom in the state. It has become economically diversified, with a growing base in high technology.

==Etymology==
]

The state's name derives from ''{{unicode|táyshaʔ}}'', a word in the ] of the ], which means "friends" or "allies".<ref name="Txfacts">{{cite web|url= http://www.texasalmanac.com/facts/
|title= Texas Almanac|accessdate= 11|accessmonthday= 07|accessyear= 2006|author=
|last=|first=|authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages=
|language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Texas |title=Texas |accessdate=2007-02-25
|publisher=Online Etymology Dictionary}}</ref><ref>Wallace Chafe, p.c.</ref>

The word "Texas" is part of ] ] in ways not directly related to the actual state. Due to the state's large geographic size, the term "Texas-sized" is often used to describe big things.<ref name=TSize1>{{cite web | last = Farivar | first = Cyrus | title = Texas-Sized Supercomputer to Break Computing Power Record | work = ] | date =2007-06-26| url = http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/06/sun_supercomputer| accessdate = 2008-01-30}}</ref><ref name=TSize2>{{cite web | last = Blumenthal | first = Ralph | title = Texas-sized noxious weed threatens State's largest natural lake | publisher = ] | date = ], ] |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/30/news/lake.php|accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> The state's name has been used as part of several brands such as the ] restaurant chain, ], and the multinational semiconductor corporation, ].

A shortened form of "Texas", ], has been used as a ] for someone having been born and/or raised in the state. Some people nicknamed "Tex" include basketball coach ] and original ] president and general manager ]. Tex is used as a ] for several Texas related words including ] or the city ].

The nickname, ''The Lone Star State'', comes from the single star of the former ] that symbolized the Texas's fight for independence.<ref name="nickname">{{cite web | title = Texas | publisher = NETSTATE.COM | date =2007-12-11|url = http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/tx_intro.htm|accessdate =2007-01-19}}</ref>
{{see also|Texas (disambiguation)}}

==History==
{{main|History of Texas}}

Prior to European colonization, Texas was inhabited by ] nations such as the ], ] and ]. ] was the first European country to claim the territory of Texas. Starting in the 1820s, American and European immigrants began arriving in the area. ] declared its independence from Spain, and Texas declared its independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836. Following this date, Texas existed as the independent ] for nearly a decade. In 1845, it joined the ] as the 28th state. Texas is one of only four independent states to enter the US federation.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Annexation of Texas led the United States ] with Mexico leading to the ]. In the ], Texas was the 7th state to join the ]. Near the turn of the 20th century, ] led to an economic boom in the state. Texas grew rapidly, becoming the second largest state in population 1994, diversifying its economy, with a growing base in ].

]" in ] includes the flags of (left to right) ] (]), the ] of ], ], the ], the ], and the ].]]
{{Texas History}}

Texas boasts that "]" have flown over its soil: the national flags of ], the ] of ], ], the ], the ], and the ].<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=FF/msf1|name=Flags of Texas}}</ref>

] tribes who once lived inside the boundaries of present-day Texas include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], Hueco and the ] of ]. Currently, there are three federally recognized Native American tribes that reside in Texas: the ] Tribe of Texas, the ] Traditional Tribe of Texas, and the ] of Texas.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=II/bzi4|name=Native Americans}}</ref>

===Colonization===
{{main|Spanish Texas|Mexican Texas}}
], creator of the first map of the northern ], made the first documented European sighting of Texas in 1519.<ref name="chipman243">Chipman (1992), p. 243.</ref><ref name="weber34"> Weber (1992), p. 34.</ref> On ] ], shipwrecked Spanish ] ] became the first known European in Texas.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/fca6|name=Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca}}</ref> Texas was immediately claimed by Spain as part of ].<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=SS/nps1|name=Spanish Texas}}</ref> but was not settled immediately. In 1685 ] established the first ] community in Texas, the French colony of ].<ref name="weber149">Weber (1992), p. 149.</ref> The colony, located along ], lasted only four&nbsp;years before succumbing to harsh conditions and hostile natives.<ref name="chipman83">Chipman (1992), p. 83.</ref>

Due to the perceived French encroachment, Spain established its first presence in Texas in 1691 constructing of several ] in ].<ref name=chipman89>Chipman (1992), p. 89.</ref> The missions failed quickly, and Spain did not resettle Texas until two&nbsp;decades had passed.<ref name="weber155">Weber (1992), p. 155.</ref> Spain returned to East Texas in 1716, establishing several missions and a ] to maintain a buffer between Mexico and the French territory of ].<ref name=chipman111and2>Chipman (1992), pp. 111&ndash;112.</ref><ref name="weber160">Weber (1992), p. 160.</ref> Two&nbsp;years later, the first civilian settlement in Texas, ], was established as a way station between the missions and the nearest existing Spanish settlement.<ref name="weber163">Weber (1992), p. 163.</ref> San Antonio quickly became a target for raids by the ].<ref name="weber188">Weber (1992), p. 188.</ref> In 1749, the Spanish signed a peace treaty with the Apache,<ref name="weber193">Weber (1992), p. 193.</ref> which angered the enemies of the Apache and resulted in raids by the ], ], and ] tribes.<ref name="weber189">Weber (1992), p. 189.</ref> Fear of Indian attacks and remoteness from the rest of the kingdom discouraged settlers from moving to Texas, and it remained one of the least populated provinces of New Spain.<ref name=chipman205>Chipman (1992), p. 205.</ref>

The Comanche signed a treaty with Spain in 1785<ref>Weddle (1995), p. 163.</ref> and later assisted in defeating the Lipan Apache and ] tribes which had continued to cause difficulties for ] settlers.<ref name="weddle164">Weddle (1995), p. 164.</ref><ref name=chipman200>Chipman (1992), p. 200.</ref> An increase in the number of missions in the province allowed for a peaceful conversion of other tribes, and by the end of the 1700s only a few of the hunting and gathering tribes had not been ].<ref name=chipman202>Chipman (1992), p. 202.</ref>

Although Spain also held Louisiana for several years, in 1799 it ceded the neighboring territory back to France. The ] by the ] from ] four years later led to a border dispute with Texas.<ref name="weber291">Weber (1992), p. 291.</ref> U.S. President ] insisted that the purchase included all land to the east of the ] and to the north of the ].<ref>Weber (1992), p. 292.</ref> The dispute was resolved in 1819, with the signing of the ] recognizing the ] as Texas's eastern boundary.<ref name="weber299">Weber (1992), p. 299.</ref> Two years later, the state became a province of ] after the ].<ref name="weber300">Weber (1992), p. 300.</ref>

]]]
] was the first Anglo American to receive permission to settle in Texas, but died before he could bring settlers to Texas. His son, ], continued his father's work. In 1821, Texas became part of the newly independent Republic of ] and, in 1824, became the northern section of ]. Spain's policy of allowing only full-blooded Spaniards to settle Texas also ended with Mexico's independence. On ] ], Stephen F. Austin began a colony of 297 Anglo-American families known as the "]" along the ], after Austin was authorized to do so by Governor ] and then successive Mexican officials as Mexico went through tumultuous political regime changes. Austin soon organized even more groups of immigrants, with authorization from the Mexican government. By 1830, the 30,000 Anglo settlers in Texas outnumbered ] two to one.

===Independence===
{{main|Texas Revolution|Republic of Texas}}
The ] and the ] were responses to rising unrest at policies of the ] government, which included ending duty-free imports from the United States and the threat of ending slavery in the state. Slavery was abolished in Mexico after its independence.<ref name="HBOT MEX">{{Handbook of Texas|id=MM/npm1|name=Mexican Texas}}</ref> In 1835, ], President of Mexico, proclaimed a unified constitution for all Mexican territories, including Texas.<ref name="HBOT MEX"/> The new Constitution ended the republic and the federation, imposed a central style of government with power concentrated in the President, and turned states into provinces with governors appointed from Mexico City. Some states around Mexico rebelled against this imposition, including ], ] and ]. ]s resented other policies, including the forcible disarmament of Texan settlers, and the expulsion of immigrants and legal landowners originally from the United States. Centralista forces' suppression of dissidents in ] also inspired fear of the Mexican government.<ref name="HBOT REV">{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/qdc2|name=Texas Revolution}}</ref>

]
On ] ], the ] signed a ].<ref></ref><ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/mjc12|name=Convention of 1836}}</ref> On ] ], the Texans&mdash;led by General ]&mdash;won their independence at the ]. Santa Anna's capture led to the ], which gave Texas firm boundaries. Mexico repudiated the treaties, considered Texas a breakaway province, and vowed to reconquer it. Later in 1836, the Texans adopted a constitution that formally legalized ]. The ] included the area of the present state of Texas, and additional unoccupied territory to the west and northwest.<ref name="HBOT REV"/>

===Statehood===
{{main|Texas Annexation}}
Most Texans wanted their Republic to be ] into the ] because of the Republic's defensive and financial difficulties. Events such as the ] and two recaptures of Béxar in Texas of 1842 added momentum to the desire for statehood.<ref>{{Harvard reference | Surname1=Calvert | Given1=R. | Surname2=De Léon | Given2=A. | Surname3=Cantrell | Given3=G. | Title=The History of Texas | Publisher=Harlan Davidson | Place=Wheeling, Illinois | Year=2002 }}</ref> However, strong Northern opposition to adding another ] blocked Texas's admission until pro-annexation ] won the ]. On ] ], Texas was admitted to the U.S. as a constituent ] of the Union.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=AA/mga2|name=Annexation}}</ref> The ] followed, with decisive victories by the U.S.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=MM/qdm2|name=Mexican War}}</ref> Post-war Texas grew rapidly as migrants poured into the cotton lands of the state.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/afc3|name=Cotton Culture}}</ref>

===Civil War, Reconstruction and Disfranchisement===
{{main|Texas in the American Civil War}}
Just before the ], elected delegates met in convention and authorized secession from the U.S. on ] ]. Texas voters later approved the measure in referendum, and the state was accepted as a charter member by the provisional government of the ] on ] ].<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=SS/mjs1|name=Secession Convention}}</ref><ref name="Txfacts"/> Texas was a "supply state" for the Confederate forces, due to its distance from the front lines, contributing men, especially cavalry. Texan regiments fought in every major battle throughout the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texascivilwarmuseum.com/index.htm|title= Texas Civil War Museum|accessdate= 2006-09-03}}</ref> Texas was cut off from the rest of the Confederacy mid-1863, when the Union capture of the ] made large movements of men or cattle impossible. The last battle of the Civil War was fought in Texas, at ], on ] ].<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=PP/qfp1|name=Battle of Palmito Ranch}}</ref>

Texas descended into near-anarchy during the two months between the surrender of the ] and the assumption of authority by Union General ].<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/qdc2|name=Civil War}}</ref> ] commemorates the announcement of the ] on ] ] in Galveston by General Gordon Granger; over 2-1/2 years after the original announcement.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=JJ/lkj1|name=Juneteenth}}</ref> President Johnson, on ] ], declared that civilian government had been restored to Texas.<ref></ref>

Despite not meeting all reconstruction requirements, on ] ] the ] readmitted Texas into the ].<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=RR/mzr1|name=Restoration}}</ref> Social volatility continued as Texas struggled with agricultural depression and labor issues. Like other Southern states, by the late 1870s white Democrats regained control, often with a deadly mix of intimidation and terrorism.

===Modern Texas===
]]]
The first major oil well in Texas was ], south of ], on ] ]. Other oil fields were later discovered nearby in ], ], and under the ]. The resulting “Oil Boom” permanently transformed the economy of Texas.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=SS/dos3|name=Spindletop Oilfield}}</ref> Oil production eventually averaged three million barrels of oil per day at its peak in 1972.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=OO/doogz|name=Oil and Gas Industry}}</ref>

The economy, which had shown significant progress since the ], was dealt a double blow by ] and the ]. Many migrants abandoned the worst hit sections of Texas during the Dust Bowl years.

From 1950 through the 1960s, Texas modernized and dramatically expanded its system of higher education. Under the leadership of Governor ], the state created a long-range plan for higher education, a more rational distribution of resources, and a central state apparatus designed to manage state institutions more efficiently. These changes helped Texas universities receive federal research funds during the ] and ] administrations.<ref>Blanton, Carlos Kevin. "The Campus and the Capitol: John B. Connally and the Struggle over Texas Higher Education Policy, 1950-1970" ''Southwestern Historical Quarterly'' 2005 108(4): 468-497. ISSN 0038-478X</ref>

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Texas}}
]]]
The geography of Texas spans a wide range of features and timelines. Texas is the southernmost part of the ], which ends in the south against the folded ] of Mexico. It is in the ] part of the United States of America. It is considered to form part of the ] and also part of the ].

The ], ] and ] are natural state ], ] on the north, ] and ] on the east, & the ] states of ], ], ], and ] to the south. To the west, the borders with the State of New Mexico & with the panhandle of Oklahoma are not based on natural features of terrain.

Texas's size prohibits easy categorization of the entire state in any ] because of vast geographic, economic, and cultural diversity within the state. Texas can be divided into five ] regions: ], ], ], ], and ]. ''Texas Almanac'' divides Texas into four ] regions: ], ], ], and ].

Some regions, primarily East, Central, and North Texas, have a stronger association with the American South rather than the Southwest. Others, such as far ] and ] share more similarities with the latter. The upper ] has much in common with the ] and the ] parts of West Texas, is somewhat of a blend of South and Southwest.

{{see also|Texas Irrigation Canals}}

===Geology===
{{main|Geology of Texas}}
]]]
Texas is the southernmost part of the ], which ends in the south against the folded ] of Mexico. The ] here is a stable ] ] which changes across a broad continental margin and transitional crust into true ] of the ]. The oldest rocks in Texas date from the Mesoproterozoic and are about 1,600 million years old. These ] ] and ] rocks underly most of the state, and are exposed in three places: ] uplift, ], and the ], near ]. This is overlain by mostly ]. The oldest sediments were deposited on the flanks of a rifted continental margin, or ] that developed during ] time. This margin existed until Laurasia and Godwana collided in ] time to form ]. This is the buried crest of the ]&mdash;]&mdash;] zone of ] ]. This ] crest is today buried beneath the ]&mdash;]&mdash;]&mdash;] trend. During this time E. Texas was a region of high mountains and shallow seas covered W. Texas.

The late ] mountains collapsed as ] in ] time began to open the Gulf of Mexico. Pangea began to break up in the ] but ] to form the ] occurred only in the mid and late ]. The shoreline shifted again to the eastern margin of the state and the Gulf of Mexico ] began to form. Today there are {{convert|9|mi|km|0}} to {{convert|12|mi|km|0|}} of sediments buried beneath the Texas continental shelf and a large proportion of remaining US ] reserves are to be found here. At the start of its formation, the incipient Gulf of Mexico basin was restricted and seawater often evaporated completely to form thick ] deposits of ] age. These salt deposits have buoyantly risen up through the passive margin sediments to form ] ]s, commonly found in East Texas, along the Gulf coast.

East Texas outcrops consist of ] and ] sediments with contain important deposits of ]]. ] is found in the Mississippian ad Pennsylvanian sediments in the north, Permian sediments in the west, Cretaceous sediments in the east, and along the Gulf coast and out on the Texas ]. ] ] rocks are found in far west Texas, in the ] area. A blanket of ] sediments known as the Ogallala formation in the western high plains region is an important ]. Texas has no active or dormant volcanoes and few earthquakes, being situated far from an active ] boundary.

== Climate ==
{{main article|Climate of Texas}}
]
The large size of Texas and its location at the intersection of several ] gives the state highly variable weather. In general, though, there are three main climate zones: the ] (] ''Cfa'') of the eastern half of Texas, the temperate ] (Koppen ''BSk'') steppe climate of the northwestern part, including the Panhandle, and the subtropical steppe climate (nearly an ] desert climate, Koppen ''BSh'') of the southern parts of West Texas, particularly around El Paso.

The Panhandle of the state is colder in winter than North Texas, while the Gulf Coast has mild winters. Texas has wide variations in precipitation patterns. El Paso, on the western end of the state, averages as little as {{convert|8|in|mm}} of annual rainfall while Houston, on the southeast Texas averages as much as {{convert|54|in|mm}} per year.<ref>. Handbook of Texas Online.</ref> Dallas in the North Central region averages a more moderate {{convert|37|in|mm}} per year. Snowfall often falls in the winter months in the north. Maximum temperatures in the summer months average from the 80s °] (26 °]) in the mountains of West Texas and on ] to around {{convert|100|°F|°C|0|lk=on}} in the ]. Nighttime summer temperatures range from the upper 50s °F (14 °C) in the West Texas mountains<ref> weather.com</ref> to {{convert|80|°F|°C|0}} in Galveston.<ref>. weather.com.</ref>

] are very common in Texas, especially the eastern and northern portion of the state. Texas also experiences the highest number of ]es out of every state in the Union, with an average of around 139 a year. Although these tend to strike most frequently in North Texas and the Panhandle, every part of the state is subject to these violent storms.<ref name= "Annual average number of tornadoes"> NOAA National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved on ] ]. </ref> Tornadoes occur mostly between the months of April-July but may strike at any time of the year.

Texas emits the most ]es of any state.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blame Coal: Texas Leads in Overall Emissions|author=Borenstein, Seth|publisher=USA Today|date=04-06-2007|url=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2007-06-04-state-emissions_N.htm|accessdate=2007-06-06}}</ref> The state's annual carbon dioxide emissions are nearly 1.5 trillion pounds (680 billion kg). Texas would be the world's seventh-largest producer of greenhouse gases if it were an independent nation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Five Cities that Need help Getting Green|author=MSN City Guides|url=http://cityguides.msn.com/citylife/greenslideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=4848635&imageindex=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Approaches, Challenges, Potentials: Renewable Energy and Climate Change Policies in U.S. States|author=Heinrich Boll Foundation North America|date=2003-12|url=http://www.cleanenergyfunds.org/international/downloads/RE_Publication_Online.pdf}}</ref> Much of the greenhouse gas emissions come from the state's refining and manufacturing industries which provide the bulk of the United States's petroleum and plastics.

{{see also|Catastrophic Texas Hurricanes since 1900}}

==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of Texas}}
]
As of 2006, the state has an estimated population of 23,507,783, an increase of 579,275 (2.5%) from the prior year and an increase of 2,655,993 (12.7%) since the year 2000. Texas has seen an increase in population in all three subcategories&mdash;natural (births less deaths), net ], and net migration. The natural increase since the last census was 1,389,275 people (2,351,909 births minus 962,634 deaths), ] from outside the ] resulted in a net increase of 801,576 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 451,910 people. The state passed New York in the 1990s to become the second-largest U.S. state in population.

As of 2004, the state has 3.5 million foreign-born residents (15.6 percent of the state population), of which an estimated 1.2 million are ]s (illegal immigrants account for more than one-third of the foreign-born population in Texas and 5.4 percent of the total state population).

===Race and ethnic origins===
]
As of the 2006 US Census estimates, the racial distribution in Texas are as follows: 69.8% ], 11.6% ], 3.3% are ], 0.6 are ], and 13% are of Some other Race. 35.7% are ] or Latino (of any race).<ref></ref>

The largest reported ancestry groups in Texas include: ] (25.3%), ] (10.9%), ] (10.5%), ] (7.2%), and ] (7.2%). Descendants from some of these ancestry groups are underreported.

Much of the population of east, central, and north Texas have a ] ] heritage, primarily descended from ancestors from ] and ]. Much of central and southeast-central Texas is inhabited by whites of German descent. African Americans, who historically made up one-third of the state population during the 19th century, are concentrated in those parts of East Texas where the cotton plantation culture was most prominent prior to the ], as well as in Dallas and Houston.

Several of the smaller European settlements have left their marks on the state. Frontier Texas saw settlements of ], particularly in ] and ]. After the ], German, ], ], ], ] and ] immigration grew, and continued until ]. The influence of the diverse ] from Europe survives in the names of towns, styles of architecture, genres of music, and varieties of cuisine. Lavaca County is predominantly ].

More than one-third of Texas residents are of ] origin and may be of any racial group. Many have recently arrived, while ] have ancestors with multigenerational ties in Texas. Hispanics dominate south, south-central, and west Texas. They are a significant part of the residents in the San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas metropolitan areas.

] (including ])&mdash;primarily from far southern Mexico and Central America, also contribute to the state's growth. The influx of immigration is partially responsible for Texas having a population younger than the U.S. average.

Recently, the ] population in Texas has grown&mdash;primarily in Houston and Dallas.

===Religion===
]
Texas is a part of the strong socially conservative ] ], ], and has a higher percentage of people with religious affiliation than any other state<ref></ref>. ] is home to three major evangelical seminaries, ], ] and ]. The city has several of America's largest ], including the Potter's House pastored by T.D Jakes and Prestonwood Baptist pastored by Jack Graham. Houston is home to the largest "church" in the nation, ], pastored by ]. ] has the most churches per capita in the nation.<ref></ref>

In 2000, The religious demographics of Texas were:<ref name="religion">{{cite web | url= http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/48_2000.asp | title=State Membership Report - Texas| publisher=Association of Religion Data Archives| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>

* ] ] - 24.4%
* ] - 8.1%
* ] - 0.1%
* ] - 21.0%
* Other - 2.0%
* Unclaimed - 44.5%

The largest single denominations by number of adherents in 2000 were the ] 4,368,969, the ] 3,519,459 and the ] 1,022,342<ref name="religion"/>. Figures further note that there are approximately 400,000 ] in Texas.<ref></ref>

===Cities and Towns===
{{see also|List of cities in Texas|Population of Texas cities in 2000|List of Texas metropolitan areas}}
As of 2000, six incorporated places in Texas had populations greater than 500,000, of which two are ]: Houston and Dallas.<ref></ref> Texas has a total of ], with four having populations over 1 million and two over 5 million.

Texas has the most cities in the US, three, with populations exceeding 1 million: Houston, San&nbsp;Antonio, and Dallas; which are also among the 10 largest cities of the ]. ] and Fort&nbsp;Worth are among the top 20 largest U.S. cities.<ref>]</ref>

]
]
]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! Texas<br>rank !! U.S.<br>rank !! align=center |City !! Population<br><small> within<br>city limits</small> !! Metro <br> Population !! Land Area<br><small> square miles (km²)</small> !! Texas<br>Region
|-
| 1 || 4 ||align=left | ] || '''2,144,491''' || '''5,539,949''' || 601.7&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi</br>(1,558&nbsp;km²) || ]
|-
| 2 || 7 ||align=left | ] || '''1,296,682''' || '''1,942,217''' || 412.1&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi</br>(1,067&nbsp;km²) || ]
|-
| 3 || 9 ||align=left | ] || '''1,232,940''' || '''6,003,967''' || 385.0&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi</br>(997&nbsp;km²) || ]
|-
| 4 || 16 ||align=left | ] || '''709,893''' || '''1,513,565''' || 258.4&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi </br>(669&nbsp;km²) || ]
|-
| 5 || 18 ||align=left | ] || '''653,320''' || '''6,003,967''' || 298.9&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi </br>(774&nbsp;km²) || ]
|-
| 6 || 21 ||align=left | ] || '''609,415''' || '''736,310''' || 250.5&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi </br>(649&nbsp;km²) || ]
|-
| 7 || 49 ||align=left | ] || '''362,805''' || '''6,003,967''' || 99.0&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi </br>(257&nbsp;km²) || ]
|-
| 8 || 63 ||align=left | ] || '''283,474''' || '''431,741''' || 460.2&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi </br>(1,192&nbsp;km²) || ]
|-
| 9 || 69 ||align=left | ] || '''250,096''' || '''6,003,967''' || 71.6&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi </br>(186&nbsp;km²) || ]
|-
| 10 || 86 ||align=left | ] || '''216,346''' || '''6,003,967''' || 57.1&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi </br>(148&nbsp;km²) || ]
|}

===Colonias===
] along the ]-] ], refer to rural, unincorporated settlements which often lack basic ] and which are marked by ]. As of 2007, Texas has the largest concentration of people (approximately 400,000) living in colonias on the U.S. side of the border.<ref>"," '']''</ref>

==Government and politics==
{{main|Government of Texas|Politics of Texas}}
The ]&mdash;adopted in 1876&mdash;is the second-oldest state constitution still in effect. As with many ], it explicitly provides for the separation of powers and incorporates its bill of rights directly into the text of the constitution (as Article I). The bill of rights is considerably lengthier and more detailed than the federal ], and includes provisions unique to Texas.

===Political system===
]]]
The executive branch consists of the ], ], Comptroller of Public Accounts, Land Commissioner, Attorney General, Agriculture Commissioner, the three-member ], the State Board of Education, and the Secretary of State. All of these positions are elected by the populace, with the exception of the Secretary of State, who is appointed by the Governor. The governor, ], commands the state militia and can veto bills passed by the Legislature and call ] of the Legislature (an exclusive power for the Governor). The Governor also appoints members of various executive boards and fills judicial vacancies between elections. The Comptroller decides if expected state income is sufficient to cover proposed state budgets. The executive branch also consists of state agencies, boards and commissions. .

The ] ] consists of the ], with 150 members, and a ], with 31 members. The ], currently ] leads the House, and the Lieutenant Governor, currently ], leads the Senate. The Legislature meets in regular session ], but the Governor can call for special sessions as often as desired.
{{see also|List of Texas state agencies}}

===Justice system===
{{main|Texas judicial system}}
The judicial system of Texas is one of the most complex in the United States, with many layers and many overlapping jurisdictions. Texas has two courts of last resort: the ], for civil cases, and the ]. Except for some municipal benches, partisan elections select judges at all levels of the judiciary; the Governor fills vacancies by appointment.

]
The justice system in Texas has a strict sentencing for criminals. Texas leads the nation in executions, with 400 executions from 1982 to 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/22/AR2007082202542.html|title=Texas Executes 400th Inmate|publisher='']''|accessdate=2007-08-22|date=2007-08-22|author=Graczyk, Michael}}</ref> Only ] is eligible for the death penalty. A bill making the rape of a child a capital crime in some instances is currently under consideration.<ref>http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/4626812.html</ref> Before 2005, the alternate sentence was ] with the possibility of ] after 40 calendar years; in 2005, the law was modified to make the alternate sentence ] without parole.
{{see also|Capital punishment in Texas}}

Known for their role in Texas law enforcement history, the ] of the ] continue to provide special law enforcement services to the state. Texas Game Wardens&mdash;law enforcement officers working for the ]&mdash;are given the same amount of authority as any other law enforcement officer. It is a common myth that they can enter private property without a search warrant and search people or vehicles with no probable cause.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}

===Administrative divisions===
]
There are 32 ], the second-most after California. '']''.

Texas has a total of 254 ]&mdash;the most of any state. Each county is run by a commissioners’ court consisting of four elected commissioners and a county judge elected from all the voters of the county. County government is similar to the "weak" ] system; the county judge has no veto authority, but votes along with the other commissioners. All county elections are ].

Unlike other states, Texas does not allow for consolidated city-county governments, nor does it have a form of ]. Cities and counties are permitted to enter "interlocal agreements" to share services. Further, counties are not granted ] status; their powers are strictly defined by state law and the Texas Constitution.

Texas does not have ]&mdash; areas within a county are either incorporated or unincorporated. Incorporated areas are part of a municipality. The county provides services to unincorporated areas. Municipalities are classified as either "general law" or "]". A municipality may elect home rule status once it exceeds 5,000 population with voter approval and may keep it even if it drops below the population requirements. All municipal elections in Texas are ].
{{see also|List of Texas counties|List of Texas county name etymologies|List of Texas county seat name etymologies}}

===Political parties===
]
{{main|Republican Party of Texas|Texas Democratic Party}}
The ] held a monolithic political presence in Texas from the beginning of its statehood until the late 20th century. Like many ] states, Texas harbored a deep resentment towards the ] for ] after the ] and resisted the social changes in the aftermath of war. After the 1960s, ] began to endorse Republican presidential candidates because they perceived a liberal shift in their national party. When President ] signed the ], he reportedly said "We have lost the South."

In 1978, the state elected its first post-reconstruction Republican governor. In 2003 Republicans for the first time gained control of the ]. Today, Republicans control most of Texas's ] delegation, and both ]. Of the 32 ], 19 seats are held by Republicans and 13 by Democrats. The Republicans that represent Texas in the U.S. Senate are ] (since 1993) and ] (since 2003). Since 1994, Texans have not elected a Democrat to a statewide office. The remains of the state's Democratic presence is primarily comprised of ] and urban voters, particularly in ]. Democrats and independents still hold many positions in city governments.

The Texas political atmosphere leans towards ] and ]. Since 1980, the majority of Texas voters have supported Republican Presidential candidates. In 2000 and 2004, Republican ] won Texas with 60.1% of the vote. He was a "favorite son" as a recent ] of the state. ] is considered the state's most liberal city or "populist" bastion. ] is among the few urban areas that consistently vote Republican, but their metropolitan areas are very divided politically. ] remains approximately split. In the southwest part of the state, particularly in ], Democrats are strong. Many political scientists expect that soon Texas Democrats will regain competitive status, due chiefly to the rapid growth of the Hispanic population, traditionally a strong Democratic voting bloc.{{Who|date=March 2008}}

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Texas}}
In 2006, Texas had a ] of $1.09 trillion,<ref></ref> the ] highest in the U.S.<ref></ref> ] per capita as of 2005 was $42,975. The state is home to the most ] companies and has the second-largest economy in the United States.<ref>]</ref><ref name="texasfortune500">{{Cite web |url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/states/T.html|title=Fortune 500 2006 |accessdate=2007-02-16|publisher=CNN|year=2006}}</ref>

Texas's diverse economy includes industries such as ] and ] industries, ], ], ], ], and ]. Texas's growth can be attributed to the availability of jobs, the low cost of housing, the lack of a personal ], high quality of education, low taxation and limited regulation of ], a central geographic location, a ], favorable ], and abundent natural resources. Since 2003, Texas state officials have created various initiatives like the ] and the ] to develop the ].

Texas's economy relies largely on information technology, oil and natural gas, fuel processing, electric power, ], and manufacturing. Much economic activity in Texas is regional&ndash; for example, the ] is important in ]'s economy but a non-factor elsewhere, while ], the state's largest urban economic enclave, stands at the center of the ], ] research trades, and aerospace (particularly ]). Meanwhile, Dallas houses the state's predominant ] manufacturing interests and the expansive ] labor market.
].]]

In 2006, for the fifth year in a row, Texas led the nation in export revenues. Texas exports for 2006 totaled $150.8 billion, which is $22.1 billion more than 2005 and represents a 17.2 percent increase. In 2002, the ] was 6th among the top sea ports in the world in terms of total cargo volume;<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.aapa-ports.org/pdf/WORLD_PORT_RANKINGS_2002.xls| title=World Port Rankings 2002, by metric tons and by TEUs| publisher=American Association of Port Authorities| accessdate=2006-07-26}}</ref> ''Air Cargo World'' rated ] as "the best air cargo airport in the world".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.aircargoworld.com/features/0306_2.htm| title= Air Cargo World's Air Cargo Excellence Survey| publisher=Air Cargo World| accessdate=2006-04-29}}</ref>

Texans pride their state's history, but they also seek new social and technological developments. Two hotbeds for the high tech industries are "Silicon Hills" (the Austin area) and the "Silicon Prairie", (north Dallas area). The companies ] and ], and the former company ] are headquartered in Texas.

Since the discovery of Oil in Texas, energy has been an important industry in Texas. The known petroleum deposits of Texas are about 8 billion barrels, which makes up approximately one-third of the known U. S. supply. Texas has 4.6 billion barrels of proven crude ] reserves.<ref name="Petrol">{{cite web|url= http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/state/tx.html|title= Petroleum Profile: Texas|accessdate= 11|accessmonthday= 07|accessyear= 2006|author= |last=|first=|authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The Oil companies ], ], ], and ] are located in Texas. Texas is a leader in alternative energy sources producing the most ] of any state,<ref name="wind2">{{Citation | last = Souder | first = Elizabeth | title = Texas leads nation in wind power capacity | newspaper = ] | year = 2007 | date = 01/08 | url = http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/011808dnbuswindpower.30c78959.html}}</ref>

Texas leads the nation in number of cattle. Cotton is the leading crop and the state's second-most-valuable farm product. Texas also leads nationally in production of grain sorghum, watermelons, cabbages, and spinach. Wheat, corn, and other grains are also important crops.
{{see also|List of military installations in Texas}}

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Texas}}
] has presided over every ] since 1952]]
In addition to Texas's traditional culture, immigration has caused Texas to become a ] of different cultures around the world. Texas's diverse and international culture is partly due to its academic institutions and strong biomedical, energy, manufacturing and aerospace industries.

The ] is a large part of the Texas culture. The annual ] is the largest rodeo in the world. The event begins with trail rides that originate from several points throughout the state, all of which convene at ]. The World’s first rodeo was held in ] on ] ]. The ] in ] has many traditional rodeos, but also a cowboy rodeo, and a Mexican rodeo. The ] is held in ] each year at Fair Park.

], the ], boasts the most venues per capita of any U.S. city. The city's music revolves around the ]s on ] and an annual ], music, and ] festival known as ]. The longest-running concert music program on American television, '']'', is filmed on ] campus or in Zilker Park. ] and ] run the ], an annual music and art festival held at ].

Over the past couple of decades, ] evolved into the "Nashville of ]." The ] have provided a forum to create greater awareness and appreciation for Tejano music and culture.

{{see also|List of people from Texas|List of Texas symbols|Don't Mess with Texas|Gone to Texas|Architecture of Texas}}
===Arts and theatre===
] in Houston]]
Known for the vibrancy of its ] and ], the ]&mdash;a 17-block area in the heart of ]&mdash;is ranked second in the country in the number of theatre seats in a concentrated downtown area with 12,948 seats for live performances and 1,480 movie seats.<ref></ref>

] is also one of only five American cities with permanent professional resident companies in all of the major performing arts disciplines (the ], the ], the ], and ]).<ref>{{Dead link|date=March 2008}}</ref>

Fort Worth and Dallas serve as epicenters of the North Texas region's art scene. ] (formerly the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth), founded in 1892, is the oldest art museum in Texas. The city is also home to the ], the ], the ], the ], and the ] downtown. The ] of ] is home to several arts venues. Notable venues in the district include the ], the ], ], and the ].

Also within Dallas is the notable ] district which originally became popular during the 1920s and 1930s as the prime ] and ] hotspot in the ]. The name ] is thought to have originally derived from local tongues saying "Deep Elm", but that came out as "Deep Ellum". Artists such as ], ], Huddie "]" Ledbetter, and ] played in original Deep Ellum clubs like The Harlem and The Palace. Today, Deep Ellum is home to hundreds of artists who live in lofts and operate in studios throughout the district alongside bars, pubs, and concert venues. One major art infusion in the area is the city's ] stance on ], thusly several public ways including tunnels, sides of buildings, sidewalks, and streets are covered in murals.

===Sports===
{{main|Sports in Texas}}
], home of the Texas&nbsp;Rangers]]
Texas includes professional teams in all major sports, collegiate teams in major and small-school conferences and associations, and active amateur teams and individual sports. Many Texans are passionate about ] and intensely follow ] and ] teams&mdash;often they dominate social and leisure activity. Texas is home to two NFL teams, the ] and the ].

] has a strong presence in Texas, with ] teams the ] and ]. ] is also closely followed in Texas&mdash;especially in the smaller metropolitan areas.

] is also popular, and Texas hosts three ] teams: the ], the ], and the ]. Additionally, Texas is home to two ] teams, the ] and the ].

] football game at ]]]<!--This image contains trademarked symbols, the ATM and the longhorn, and is only being used to illustrate said symbols within context-->
Many Texas universities have rich athletic traditions. Originally, most Texas ] universities were part of the ] until it dissolved in 1996. Four of the largest programs in Texas are now part of the ]: the ], ], ], and ]. In addition to the four Big 12 schools, Texas is home to six other Division I (Bowl Sub-Division) teams: the ] of the ]; the ], the ], the ] and the ], all of ]; and the ] of the ]. Texas has the most Division I-FBS schools in America, ten.

] has been a growing participatory sport in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since the ] became the ] in 1993.

Other popular sports in Texas includes ], fishing, ], ], and ].

Most primary and secondary school athletic, music, and academic contests in Texas are organized and administered by the ] (UIL).
{{further|]}}

==Transportation==
{{main|Transportation in Texas}}
The ] (TxDOT, pronounced "tex-dot") is a ]al agency that "provide safe, effective, and efficient movement of people and goods" throughout the state. Though the public face of the agency is generally associated with maintenance of the state's immense ] system, the agency is also responsible for ] in the state and overseeing ] systems.

===Highways===
{{main|Texas state highways}}
]
Texas ]s have been heavily traveled since the 1948 opening of the ] in ], and they are often under construction to meet the demands of continuing growth. As of 2005, there were {{convert|79535|mi|km|0}} of public highway in Texas (up from {{convert|71000|mi|km|0}} in 1984). TxDOT planners have sought ways to reduce ] congestion, primarily through ] (HOV) lanes for vans and carpools. The ramp design "]" allows vehicles to directly enter or exit an HOV lane without crossing multiple lanes. Timed freeway entrances, which regulate the addition of cars to the freeway, are also common.

] or service roads are common on Texas's freeways even in remote areas. ]s are standard components of the state's frontage road systems. New landscaping projects and a longstanding ban on new billboards are ways ] has tried to control the potential side effects of this convenience road. In the western part of the state, both ] and ] have a speed limit of {{convert|80|mph|km/h}}, the highest in the nation.

===Airports===
]]]
The ], located nearly equidistant from ] ] and downtown ], is the largest airport in the state, the second largest in the United States, and fourth largest in the world.<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.dfwairport.com/visitor/facts.htm
|title = Facts about DFW
|accessdate = 2007-08-04
|work = Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
}}</ref> In terms of traffic, DFW is the busiest in the state, third busiest in the United States, and sixth busiest in the world. {{Fact|date=March 2007}} The airport serves 135 domestic destinations and 40 international. DFW is the largest and main ] for ], the world's largest in terms of total passengers-miles transported<ref>], ], p. 349], </ref> and passenger fleet size.<ref></ref>

Texas's second-largest air facility is Houston's ] (IAH). ] is the headquarters of ], and is the airline's largest hub. IAH offers service to the most Mexican destinations of any U.S. airport. IAH currently ranks second among U.S. airports with scheduled non-stop domestic and international service.

], headquartered in Dallas, Texas, began its operations at ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/airborne.html |title=We Weren't Just Airborne Yesterday |date= ]|publisher=Southwest Airlines |accessdate= 2007-06-09}}</ref> It is the largest airline in the ] by number of passengers carried domestically per year and the ] by number of passengers carried.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iata.org/pressroom/wats/wats_passengers_carried.htm |title=Scheduled Passengers Carried |author=] |accessdate=2007-06-10}}</ref>

{{see also|List of airports in Texas}}

===Passenger rail transportation===
] in ]]]
] (DART), the Dallas area public transportation authority, began operating the first ] system in the ] in 1996. The DART light rail currently covers {{convert|48|mi|km|0}} of track. DART currently has three lines with 35 stations in multiple cities. Current construction will add an additional {{convert|46.2|mi|km|0}} of rail with 28 new stations.

The ] (TRE) is a commuter rail service between Fort Worth & Dallas provided by the ] (the T) and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). The TRE links downtown Fort Worth, downtown Dallas, and DFW Airport and as such is the only commuter line in the United States to link two major metropolitan downtown areas and an international airport.

The ] (METRO) operates ] service in ], which includes ]. ]'s light rail, ], opened on ] ]. Currently the track runs about {{convert|8|mi|km|0}} from ] to the ] and ]. METRO also operates bus service in Harris County and to two cities in ]. METRORail is in the process of adding over {{Convert|30|mi|km|0}} of light rail, as well as {{convert|28|mi|km}} of commuter rail by the year 2015.

Currently, intercity passenger rail service in Texas is limited from both network and frequency viewpoint, with just three ] trains serving the state: the daily '']'' {{nowrap|(Chicago&ndash;San Antonio)}}, the tri-weekly '']'' {{nowrap|(New Orleans&ndash;Los Angeles)}}, and the daily '']'' {{nowrap|(Fort Worth&ndash;Oklahoma City)}}.

===Trans-Texas Corridor===
{{main|Trans-Texas Corridor }}
The Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC) is a transportation network in the planning and early construction stages. The network, as planned, would be composed of a {{convert|4000|mi|km|-3|sing=on}} network of ]s up to {{convert|1200|ft|m|-1}} wide to carry parallel links of ]s, ]s, and ] lines.<ref></ref>

==Healthcare and medicine==
{{splitsection|Healthcare in Texas}}
]
Texas is home to three of the world's elite research medical centers: the renowned ] in Houston, ] in Dallas, and the ] in San&nbsp;Antonio&mdash;all hosting some of the world's most prestigious schools in the health sciences.

Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the world's largest concentration of ] and ] institutions. There are 45 member institutions in the Texas Medical Center<ref>. ''Texas Medical Center''. 2006. Last Retrieved ].</ref> &mdash;all are ]s, and are dedicated to the highest standards of patient and preventive care, ], ], and local, national, and international community well-being. These institutions include 13 renowned hospitals and two specialty institutions, two ]s, four ]s, and schools of ], public health, ], and virtually all health-related careers. It is where one of the first, and still the largest, air emergency services was created&mdash;a very successful inter-institutional transplant program was developed&mdash;and the most ] are performed there in the world.

San Antonio's South Texas Medical Center facilities rank sixth in clinical medicine research impact in the ]<ref></ref> with the ] recognized as a "world leading research and educational institution".<ref>See: and its teaching hospital: </ref> The center hosts no less than 12 hospitals, 45 medical institutions, and 3 universities, housing the nation's top schools in ]<ref>]'s School of Pharmacy:
*Consistently ranks among the top 2 schools in America:
*Almost one third of its faculty is based at the ]: </ref> and ].<ref>Current international ranking: . The last time '']'' ranked any dental school (1997), ] ranked the top dental school of the United States.
</ref>

Dallas is home to the ] and the UT Southwestern Medical Center, "among the top academic medical centers in the world".<ref>See: http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept37361/files/281435.html</ref> The ] at the center employs the most medical school ] in the world.<ref>http://www8.utsouthwestern.edu/vgn/images/portal/cit_56417/43/32/2800592006_Fact_Sheet.pdf</ref><ref></ref>

Texas has eight ],<ref>http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=86</ref> three dental schools, and one ] school. The M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is widely considered one of the world’s most productive and highly-regarded academic institutions devoted to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.<ref>According to: </ref> Texas has two ] laboratories: one at ] (UTMB) in Galveston,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bioscrypt.com/about/press/press-2004-10-14.shtml| year=] ]| title=University Selects Bioscrypt for Biosafety Level 4 Lab| publisher=Bioscrypt| accessdate=2006-04-29}}</ref> and the other at the ] in San Antonio&mdash;the first privately owned BSL-4 lab in the United States.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sfbr.org/pages/about_resources2.php| title=BIOSAFETY LEVEL 4 (BSL-4) LABORATORY| publisher=Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research| accessdate=2006-04-29}}</ref>

Texas Insurance is regulated by ]. In May 2006, Texas initiated the program "code red" in response to the report that Texas&mdash;at 25.1 percent&mdash;has the largest un-insured population of the nation.<ref>http://www.utsystem.edu/hea/codered/</ref> In 2003, voters voted for Proposition 12 for ] ]. Proposition 12 limiteds non-economic damages to $250,000, in an attempt to "curb rising malpractice premiums, and control escalating healthcare costs".<ref name ="tort"><p></ref>

{{see also|List of hospitals in Texas}}

==Education==
{{main|Education in Texas}}
The ] ranked Texas 26 among the fifty states for education in 2007. Texas students ranked higher than average in on mathematics, but lower in reading. Between 2005-2006, Texas spent $7,584 per pupil ranking it below the national average of $9,295. The pupil/teacher ratio was 15.0 slightly below average. Instructors were paid $38,130, below the national average. 10.8% of the educational funding in Texas cames from the federal government, 89.22% from state funding.<ref name "reportcard">{{Citation| title = 2007 Report Card on American Education| date = | year = 2007| url = http://www.alec.org/fileadmin/newPDF/2007%20ALEC%20Education%20Report%20Card.pdf| accessdate = 2008-04-08}} </ref>

===Primary and Secondary Education===
], in 2005, had the largest graduating class in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12535986/site/newsweek/page/2/|title=Some Numbers from NEWSWEEK's Best High Schools List - Newsweek America's Best High Schools - MSNBC.com|publisher=Newsweek|accessdate=2006-07-10}}</ref>]]
The state's public school systems are administered by the ] (TEA). Texas has over 1,000 ]s&mdash;all but one of the school districts in Texas are separate from any form of ]. School districts may (and often do) cross city and county boundaries&mdash;an exception to this rule is ]. School districts have the power to ] their residents and to assert ] over privately owned property.

The ] (TAKS) is a ] used in ] ] and ] to assess students' attainment of ], ], ], ], and ] skills required under Texas education standards. Though created before the ] was passed, it complies with the law. With Senate Bill 1031 in spring 2007, Texas legislators repealed TAKS in favor of End of Course exams in high school. Students who enter ninth grade in the 2011-2012 school year will have to take end-of-course exams in core subjects. Students who entered ninth grade before 2011 will still have to pass the exit-level TAKS to graduate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/admin/eoc/index.html|title= "END-OF-COURSE ASSESSMENTS:Implementation" |last=Texas Education Agency|first=|work=Assessment Division|date=]|accessdate=2007-10-22}}</ref>

The "]" is an controversial tax redistribution system that provides court-mandated equitable school financing for all school districts in the state. Property tax revenue from property-wealthy school districts is and distributed those in property-poor districts, in an effort to equalize the financing of all districts throughout Texas.

Texas also has numerous ] of all types. The TEA has no authority over private school operations; private schools may or may not be accredited, and achievement tests are not required for private school graduating seniors. The state has few restrictions on ]. Neither TEA nor the local school district has authority to regulate home school activities.
{{further|]}}

===Post Secondary Education===
There are 181 colleges, universities and dozens of other institutions engaged in the research and development of Texas.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} Most public universities are members of five different systems: ], ], ], ], ], and ]. ], ], ] and the ] are Texas's four largest comprehensive doctoral degree-granting institutions with a combined enrollment of over 145,000.

The state also has many private universities. ]&mdash;one of the country’s leading teaching and research universities&mdash;ranked the 17th-best university overall in the nation by '']''.<ref>. ''U.S. News & World Report''</ref> Additionally, ]&mdash;the oldest university in the state&mdash;was chartered by the Republic of Texas.

Texas's controversial alternative ] plan, ], guarantees Texas students who graduated in the top ten percent of their ] class automatic admission to all state-funded universities. The bill was created as a means to avoid the stipulations from the ] case.
{{further|]}}

<center>
<gallery>
Image:burleson.jpg|Baylor University
Image:Lovett Hall.jpg|Rice University
Image:Newmain.JPG|Texas A&M University
Image:The University of Texas at Austin - Littlefield Fountain and Main Building.jpg|The University of Texas at Austin
</gallery>
</center>

==See also==
{{portalpar|Texas|Texasflaginstate.PNG}}
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}

==References==
* {{Citation|last=Chipman|first=Donald E.|title=Spanish Texas, 1519-1821|publisher=]|location=]|date=1992|isbn=0292776594}}
* {{Citation|last=Weber|first=David J.|title=The Spanish Frontier in North America|publisher=]|location=]|series=Yale Western Americana Series|date=1992|isbn=0300051980}}
* {{citation|last=Weddle|first=Robert S.|title=Changing Tides: Twilight and Dawn in the Spanish Sea, 1763–1803|series=Centennial Series of the Association of Former Students Number 58|publisher=]|location=]|date=1995|isbn=0890966613}}

==Further reading==
*
* {{cite book|author=Mitchell, Samuel Augustus|title=Accompaniment to Mitchell's New map of Texas, Oregon, and California, with the regions adjoining|publisher=S. Augustus Mitchell|year=1846}}
* {{cite book|author=Mitchell, Samuel Augustus|title=New map of Texas, Oregon and California with the regions adjoining, compiled from the more recent authorities.
|publisher=S. Augustus Mitchell|year=1846}}
*
* Montejano, David. ''Anglos and Mexicans in the Making of Texas, 1836–1986'' University of Texas Press, 1987.
*Wooster, Ralph A. and Robert A. Calvert, eds. ''Texas Vistas'' (1987) scholarly articles
* Campbell, Randolph B. ''Sam Houston and the American Southwest'' HarperCollins, 1993.
* Jordan, Terry G. ''Trails to Texas: Southern Roots of Western Cattle Ranching'' University of Nebraska Press, 1981.
* Olien, Diana Davids, and Roger M. Olien. ''Oil in Texas: The Gusher Age, 1895–1945'' University of Texas Press, 2002.
* Perryman, M. Ray. ''Survive and Conquer, Texas in the '80s: Power—Money—Tragedy … Hope!'' Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company, 1990.

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Texas}}
*
* ''- Published by the Texas State Historical Association'' thousands of scholarly articles on every aspect of Texas history
*
* - ''Official website''
*
*, hosted by the University of North Texas Libraries
*
*
*
*{{wikitravel}}
<br clear=all/>

{{Texas|expand}}
{{Six flags of Texas}}
{{United States}}
{{Confederate2}}
{{US South}}

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Revision as of 15:02, 10 April 2008

stupid texans