| Revision as of 22:44, 17 December 2008 view sourceEvb-wiki (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers27,680 edits clean up recent edits← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:58, 18 December 2008 view source 170.158.99.254 (talk) ←Replaced content with 'TEXAS IS BORING'Next edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| TEXAS IS BORING | |||
| {{otheruses}} | |||
| {{Infobox U.S. state | |||
| |Name = Texas | |||
| |Fullname = State of Texas | |||
| |Former = Republic of Texas | |||
| |Flag = Flag of Texas.svg | |||
| |Flaglink = ] | |||
| |Seal = State Seal of Texas.svg | |||
| |Seallink = ] | |||
| |Map = Map_of_USA_TX.svg | |||
| |Nickname = The ] State | |||
| |Motto = Friendship | |||
| |Demonym = ] | |||
| |Capital = ] | |||
| |LargestCity = ] | |||
| |LargestMetro = ]<ref name="US Census">{{cite web |date=2007-04-04 |year=2007 |title=Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area Estimates |publisher=US Census |url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/CBSA-est2006-pop-chg.html |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> | |||
| |Governor = ] (]) | |||
| |Lieutenant Governor = ] (R) | |||
| |Senators = ] (R)<br/>] (R) | |||
| |PostalAbbreviation = TX | |||
| |TradAbbreviation = Tex. | |||
| |BorderingStates = ], ],<br/>], ] | |||
| |OfficialLang = No official language<br/>(see ]) | |||
| |AreaRank = 2<sup>nd</sup> | |||
| |TotalAreaUS = 268,820<ref name="facts">{{cite web |year=2008 |title=Facts |edition =2008–2009 |publisher=] |url=http://www.texasalmanac.com/facts/ |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> | |||
| |TotalArea = 696,241 | |||
| |LandAreaUS = 261,797<ref name="facts"/> | |||
| |LandArea = 678,051 | |||
| |WaterAreaUS = 6,784<ref name="facts"/> | |||
| |WaterArea = 17,574 | |||
| |PCWater = 2.5 | |||
| |PopRank = 2<sup>nd</sup> | |||
| |2000Pop (old) = 20,851,820 | |||
| |2000Pop = 23,904,380 (2007 est.)<ref name="Census1">{{cite web | title = 2007 Population Estimates | publisher = US Census | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/states/NST-ann-est.html | format = xls | accessdate = 2008-10-14}}</ref> | |||
| |DensityRank = 26<sup>th</sup> | |||
| |2000DensityUS = 79.6<ref name="Census2">{{cite web |year=2006 |title=Texas QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau |place =US Census | |||
| |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=04000US48&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US48&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=&_state=04000US48&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=040&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= |accessdate=2007-04-28}}</ref> | |||
| |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 = December 29, 1845 | |||
| |TimeZone = ]: ]-6/] | |||
| |TZ1Where = most of state | |||
| |TimeZone2 = ]: UTC-7/-6 | |||
| |TZ2Where = tip of ] | |||
| |Latitude = 25° 50′ N to 36° 30′ N | |||
| |Longitude = 93° 31′ W to 106° 39′ W | |||
| |WidthUS = 773<ref name="environment">{{cite web |year=2008 |title=Environment |edition =2008–2009 |publisher=Texas Almanac |url=http://www.texasalmanac.com/environment/ |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> | |||
| |Width = 1,244 | |||
| |LengthUS = 790 | |||
| |Length = 1,270 | |||
| |HighestPoint = ]<ref name="usgs">{{cite web |date=April 29, 2005 |url=http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest |title=Elevations and Distances in the United States |publisher=U.S Geological Survey |accessdate=2006-11-08}}</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.texasonline.com/ | |||
| }} | |||
| ] | |||
| '''Texas''' ({{Audio-IPA|en-us-Texas.ogg|/ˈtɛksəs/}}) is a ] located in the ] nicknamed the ''Lone Star State''. ] is the ]. Texas—the second largest U.S. state in both area and population—spans {{convert|268820|sqmi|km2}} and has a growing population of 23.9 million. ] is the state's largest city and ] in the United States, while the ] make up the largest ] in the State and the fourth-largest in the nation. | |||
| Texas contains diverse ], resembling, in places, both the ] and the desert ]. Traveling from east to west, one could observe ] and semi-forests of oak and ], rolling plains and ], and finally the ] of the ]. The phrase "everything is bigger in Texas" derives in part from the state's geographic sprawl and the wide open spaces of its desert and prairie regions.<ref name="biggerTexas">{{cite web |last=Gite |first=Lloyd |authorlink=http://findarticles.com/p/search?tb=art&qa=Lloyd+Gite |title=Texas: they say everything is bigger in Texas, but is this true about opportunities for African-Americans in the state's largest cities? |publisher=Black Enterprise |month =June | year =1994 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_n11_v24/ai_15429436 |format=html |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</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 ]. ] and ], Texas is usually considered part of the ]. However, with its Spanish and Mexican roots, it can also be classified as part of the ]. While residents acknowledge these categories, many claim an independent "]" identity superseding ]. | |||
| The term "]" comes from the multiple countries that have claimed the territory. ] was the first European country to claim the area of Texas. France held a ] in Texas. Mexico owned the territory until 1836 when Texas won its independence becoming an independent ]. In 1845 it joined the United States as the 28th state. The state's ] helped set off a ] that caused the ] in 1846 and the ]. Texas would also join the ] as a charter member on March 1, 1861. | |||
| In the early 1900s, oil discoveries initiated an economic boom in the state. Texas has since ]. It has a growing base in high technology, biomedical research and higher education. Its ] is the second-highest in the nation. | |||
| ==Etymology== | |||
| ] | |||
| The state's name derives from ''{{unicode|táysha}}'', a word in the ] of the ], which means "allies" or "friends".<ref name="facts"/><ref name="etymology">{{cite web | |||
| |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Texas |title=Texas |accessdate=2007-02-25 | |||
| |publisher=Online Etymology Dictionary}}</ref><ref name="WChafe">Wallace Chafe, p.c.</ref> The word "Texas" has many different manifestations in ] ]. Due to the state's large geographic size, the expression "]" means "big".<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 =2007, July 30 |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/30/news/lake.php|accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> Many Texas-related words, including the term ], also use the ], "]". | |||
| ==History== | |||
| {{main|History of Texas}} | |||
| ===Colonization=== | |||
| {{main|French Texas|Spanish Texas|Mexican Texas}} | |||
| ] 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 November 6, 1528, shipwrecked Spanish explorer ] became the first known European in Texas.<ref name="CVaca">{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/fca6|name=Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca}}</ref><ref name="SpanishT">{{Handbook of Texas|id=SS/nps1|name=Spanish Texas}}</ref> 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 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 ] in ].<ref name=chipman89>Chipman (1992), p. 89.</ref> The missions failed quickly, and Spain did not resettle Texas until two decades had passed.<ref name="weber155">Weber (1992), p. 155.</ref> Spain returned to East Texas in 1716, establishing missions and a ] to maintain a buffer between ] and the territory of ].<ref name=chipman111and2>Chipman (1992), pp. 111–112.</ref><ref name="weber160">Weber (1992), p. 160.</ref> Two years later, Spain established the first European civilian settlement in Texas, ].<ref name="weber163">Weber (1992), p. 163.</ref> | |||
| Hostile native tribes and remoteness from New Spain discouraged settlers from moving to Texas and it remained one of New Spain's least populated provinces.<ref name=chipman205>Chipman (1992), p. 205.</ref> The ] often targeted San Antonio for raids.<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 resulted in raids by the enemies of the Apache, the ], ], and ] tribes.<ref name="weber189">Weber (1992), p. 189.</ref> The Comanche signed a treaty with Spain in 1785<ref name="weddle163">Weddle (1995), p. 163.</ref> and later assisted in defeating the Lipan Apache and ] tribes.<ref name="weddle164">Weddle (1995), p. 164.</ref><ref name=chipman200>Chipman (1992), p. 200.</ref> An increased number of missions in the province allowed for a peaceful conversion of other tribes, and by the end of the 1700s only a few ] tribes were not "]".<ref name=chipman202>Chipman (1992), p. 202.</ref> | |||
| The ] by the United States caused a ] over Texas.<ref name="weber291">Weber (1992), p. 291.</ref><ref name="Weber292">Weber (1992), p. 292.</ref> The signing of the ], recognizing the ] as Texas's eastern boundary, resolved the dispute in 1819.<ref name="weber299">Weber (1992), p. 299.</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| In 1821, after the ], the territory became a part of the new country.<ref name="weber300">Weber (1992), p. 300.</ref> Texas became the northern section of ] in 1824. Mexico ended the Spanish policy of allowing only full-blooded Spaniards to settle Texas. On January 3, 1823, after obtaining authorization by Governor ], ] began a colony of 297 Anglo-American families known as the "]" along the ].<ref name="old300">{{Handbook of Texas|id=OO/umo1|name=Old Three Hundred}} Accessed 2008-04-27</ref> By 1830, the 30,000 Anglo settlers in Texas outnumbered ] six to one.<ref name="Tejanos1">{{cite web |title=Tejano Patriots |work=bexargenealogy.com |url=http://www.bexargenealogy.com/index_Tejanos.htm |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> | |||
| ===Republic=== | |||
| {{main|Texas Revolution|Republic of Texas|Texas Annexation}} | |||
| The ] and the ] were responses to rising unrest at policies of the Mexican government. Delegates feared the end of ] imports from the United States and the threat of ending slavery.<ref name="HBOT MEX">{{Handbook of Texas|id=MM/npm1|name=Mexican Texas}}</ref> In 1835, ], President of Mexico, enacted a ] for Mexico which created a centralized government with power concentrated in the President, and turned states into provinces with governors appointed from Mexico City.<ref name="HBOT MEX"/> States around Spain rebelled against this imposition, including ], ] and ].<ref name="HBOT REV">{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/qdc2|name=Texas Revolution}}</ref> Texans also resented policies such as the forcible disarmament of settlers, and the expulsion of immigrants and legal landowners originally from the United States. | |||
| ] | |||
| On March 2, 1836, the ] signed a ].<ref name="TXDecofInd">{{cite web|url=http://www.lsjunction.com/docs/tdoi.htm |title=The Texas Declaration of Independence|accessdate=2008-05-26 |publisher=Lone Star Junction}}</ref><ref name="C1936">{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/mjc12|name=Convention of 1836}}</ref> On April 21, 1836, the Texans—led by General ]—won their independence at the ]. Santa Anna's capture led to the ]. Mexico repudiated the treaties and vowed to reconquer Texas. Later in 1836, the Texans adopted a ] that formally legalized slavery. The Republic of Texas included the area of the present state of Texas, and additional unoccupied territory to the west and northwest.<ref name="HBOT REV"/> | |||
| Most Texans supported ] of their Republic into the United States. Events such as the ] and two recaptures of Béxar in Texas of 1842 added urgency to the desire for statehood.<ref name="Calvert">{{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 ] opposition to adding a ] blocked Texas's admission until pro-annexation ] won the ]. On December 29, 1845, ] admitted Texas to the U.S. as a constituent ] of the Union.<ref name="TAnnexation">{{Handbook of Texas|id=AA/mga2|name=Annexation}}</ref> The ] followed, with decisive victories by the U.S.<ref name="Mwar">{{Handbook of Texas|id=MM/qdm2|name=Mexican War}}</ref> The ] set Texas's boundaries at their present form. Texas ceded land which later became half of present day ], a third of ], and small portions of ], ], and ], in return for the federal government's assumption of $10 million of the old republic's debt.<ref name="comp1850">{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/nbc2|name=Compromise of 1850}}</ref> Post-war Texas grew rapidly as migrants poured into the cotton lands of the state.<ref name="CCulture">{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/afc3|name=Cotton Culture}}</ref> | |||
| ===Civil War and Reconstruction=== | |||
| ]]] | |||
| {{main|Texas in the American Civil War}} | |||
| The Confederate States of America accepted Texas as a charter member on March 1, 1861.<ref name="SecessionConvention">{{Handbook of Texas|id=SS/mjs1|name=Secession Convention}}</ref><ref name="facts"/> During the ], 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 name="CWMuseum">{{cite web|url=http://www.texascivilwarmuseum.com/|title=Texas Civil War Museum|accessdate=2006-09-03}}</ref> In mid-1863 the Union capture of the ] cut Texas supply lines to the ] of the Confederacy. Texas hosted the last battle of the Civil War, the ] on May 13, 1865.<ref name="BattlePR">{{Handbook of Texas|id=PP/qfp1|name=Battle of Palmito Ranch}}</ref> | |||
| Texas descended into anarchy two months between the ] of the ] and the assumption of authority by Union General ]. Violence also marked the early months of ].<ref name="CW1">{{Handbook of Texas|id=CC/qdc2|name=Civil War}}</ref> ] commemorates the announcement of the ] on June 19, 1865 in Galveston by General Gordon Granger, over 2–1/2 years after the original announcement.<ref name="BarriersVoting">{{cite web |title=Historical Barriers to Voting |work=Texas Politics |publisher=University of Texas |url=http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/6_5_3.html|format=HTML |accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref><ref name="Juneteenth">{{Handbook of Texas|id=JJ/lkj1|name=Juneteenth}}</ref> President Johnson, on August 20, 1866, declared that civilian government restored in Texas.<ref name="readmission">{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Andrew |author-link =Andrew Johnson |date=1866-08-20 |year=1866 |title=Proclamation Declaring the Insurrection at an End |series =American Historical Documents |publisher=] |url=http://www.bartleby.com/43/42.html |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> Despite not meeting reconstruction requirements, on March 30, 1870 Congress readmitted Texas into the ].<ref name="restoration">{{Handbook of Texas|id=RR/mzr1|name=Restoration}}</ref> Social volatility continued as the state struggled with agricultural depression and labor issues. | |||
| ===Modern era=== | |||
| ] | |||
| The first major oil well in Texas was ], south of ], on January 10, 1901. Other fields were later discovered nearby in East Texas, ], and under the ]. The resulting “Oil Boom” permanently transformed the economy of Texas.<ref name="Spindletop">{{Handbook of Texas|id=SS/dos3|name=Spindletop Oilfield}}</ref> Oil production eventually averaged three million barrels per day at its peak in 1972;<ref name="Oil_Gas">{{Handbook of Texas|id=OO/doogz|name=Oil and Gas Industry}}</ref> the resulting royalties provided a considerable source of income to the ] for Texas' public universities. | |||
| ] and the ] dealt a double blow to the state's economy, which had significantly improved since the Civil War. Migrants abandoned the worst hit sections of Texas during the Dust Bowl years. Especially from this period on, blacks left Texas in the ] to get work in the ] or ] and to escape the oppression of segregation.<ref name=TX&GreatMigration>{{Handbook of Texas |id=AA/pkaan |name=African Americans}} accessed = 2008-04-27</ref> With increased immigration from other sources, although the numbers of African Americans increased, their proportion of population decreased from 20.4 percent in 1900 to 12.4 percent in 1960.<ref name=TX&GreatMigration/> | |||
| From 1950 through the 1960s, Texas modernized and expanded its ]. Under the leadership of Governor ], the state created a comprehensive plan for higher education, a different 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 name="Blanton">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|List of geographical regions in Texas}} | |||
| ]]] | |||
| Texas is located at 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. | |||
| Texas' size and unique history makes its regional affiliation debatable. Depending on the source, it can be fairly considered either or both a Southern or Southwestern state. The vast geographic, economic, and cultural diversity within the state itself prohibits easy categorization of the whole state into a ]. The East, Central, and North Texas, regions have a stronger association with the ] than with the ]. Others, such as far West Texas and South Texas share more similarities with the latter. | |||
| The ], ] and ] form natural state ]s, Oklahoma on the north, ] and ] on the east, & the Mexican states of ], ], ], and ] to the south. The state's ] has an eastern border with Oklahoma at ], a northern border with Oklahoma at ] and a western border with New Mexico at ]. ] lies on the state's western tip at ] and the Rio Grande.<ref name="comp1850"/> | |||
| ===Geology=== | |||
| {{main|Geology of Texas}} | |||
| ]]] | |||
| Texas is the southernmost part of the Great Plains, which ends in the south against the folded ] of Mexico. The ] forms a stable ] ] which changes across a broad continental margin and transitional crust into true ] of the Gulf of Mexico. The oldest rocks in Texas date from the Mesoproterozoic and are about 1,600 million years old. These ] ] and ] rocks underlie most of the state, and are exposed in three places: ] uplift, ], and the ], near El Paso. ] overlay most of these ancient rocks. The oldest sediments were deposited on the flanks of a rifted continental margin, or ] that developed during ] time. This margin existed until ] and ] collided in the ] era to form ]. This is the buried crest of the ]—] zone of Pennsylvanian ]. This ] crest is today buried beneath the Dallas—]—Austin—San Antonio trend. | |||
| The late ] mountains collapsed as ] in the ] era began to open the Gulf of Mexico. Pangea began to break up in the ] but ] to form the Gulf of Mexico occurred only in the mid and late Jurassic. The shoreline shifted again to the eastern margin of the state and the Gulf of Mexico passive margin began to form. Today {{convert|9|mi|km|0}} to {{convert|12|mi|km|0|}} of sediments are buried beneath the Texas continental shelf and a large proportion of remaining US oil reserves are located 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 Jurassic age. These salt deposits formed ] ]s, and are found in East Texas, along the Gulf coast.<ref name="DiaperGrowth">Muzzafar, Asif. ''Timing of Diapir Growth and Cap Rock Formation, Davis Hill Salt Dome, Coastal Texas'' The Geological Society of America. (accessed July 22, 2008)</ref> | |||
| East Texas outcrops consist of ] and ] sediments which contain important deposits of ]]. The Mississippian and 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 ] contain oil. ] ] rocks are found in far west Texas, in the ] area. A blanket of ] sediments known as the ] in the western high plains region is an important ].<ref name="Ogallala">{{cite web|url=http://www.npwd.org/new_page_2.htm |title=Ogallala Aquifer|accessdate=2008-07-23 |publisher=North Plains Groundwater Conservation District}}</ref> Located far from an active ] boundary, Texas has no ] and few ].<ref name="earthquakes">{{cite web|url=http://www.ig.utexas.edu/research/projects/eq/compendium/earthquakes.htm |title=Earthquakes |accessdate=2008-07-23 |publisher=Jackson School of Geosciences - University of Texas}}</ref> | |||
| ==Climate== | |||
| {{main article|Climate of Texas}} | |||
| ], causes a closure of ]]] | |||
| The large size of Texas and its location at the intersection of multiple ] gives the state very variable weather. The Panhandle of the state has colder winters 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 name="weather1">{{Handbook of Texas|id=WW/msf1|name=Weather}}</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 ]. Night time summer temperatures range from the upper 50s °F (14 °C) in the West Texas mountains<ref name="weather2">{{cite web | title = Monthly Averages for Marfa, TX | publisher = The Weather Channel | url =http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USTX0830?from=search Monthly Averages for Marfa, TX] weather.com | accessdate = 2008-10-15}}</ref> to {{convert|80|°F|°C|0}} in Galveston.<ref name="weather3">{{cite web | title = Monthly Averages for Galveston, TX | publisher = The Weather Channel | url = http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USTX0499?from=search Monthly Averages for ]. weather.com | accessdate = 2008-10-15}}</ref> | |||
| ] strike Texas often, especially the eastern and northern portion of the state. ] covers the northern section of Texas. The state experiences the most ]es in the Union, an average of 139 a year. These strike most frequently in North Texas and the Panhandle.<ref name="Annual average number of tornadoes"> National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved on October 24, 2006.</ref> Tornadoes in Texas generally occur in the months of April, May, and June.<ref name="TexasWeather">{{Handbook of Texas|id=WW/yzw1|name=Weather}} Accessed 2008-07-22</ref> | |||
| Some of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history have impacted Texas. A hurricane in 1875 killed approximately 400 people in ], followed by ] in 1886 that destroyed the town, at the time the most important port city in the state. This allowed ] to take over as the chief port city, the ] subsequently devastated that city killing approximately 8,000 people (possibly as many as 12,000), making it the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Other devastating Texas hurricanes include the ], ] in 1957, which killed over 600 people, ] in 1961, ] in 1967, ] in 1983, ] in 2005, and ] in 2008.<ref name="deadhurr">{{cite web| last = Blake| first = Eric S.| coauthors = Rappaport, Edward N., Landsea, Christopher W.| title = The Deadliest, Costliest, and Most Intense United States Tropical Cyclones From 1851 to 2006| publisher = National Weather Service: National Hurricane Center| date = 2007-04-15| url = http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/NWS-TPC-5.pdf| format = PDF| accessdate = 2008-10-02}}</ref> | |||
| Texas emits the most ]es in the US.<ref name="GH1">{{cite news|title=Blame Coal: Texas Leads in Overall Emissions|author=Borenstein, Seth|publisher=USA Today|date=2007-06-04|url=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2007-06-04-state-emissions_N.htm|accessdate=2007-06-06}}</ref><ref name="GH2">{{cite news |title=Texas No. 1 producer of greenhouse gases |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/060307dnnatemissions.3c1df3a.html |work=Associated Press |publisher=Dallas Morning News |date=2007-06-03|accessdate=2008-06-11}}</ref><ref name="GH3">{{cite news |title=Texas Is No. 1 Carbon Polluter In U.S.|author=Associated Press|date=2008-01-16|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/16/tech/main3720823.shtml?source=RSSattr=SciTech_3720823}}</ref> The state's emits nearly 1.5 trillion pounds (680 billion kg) of carbon dioxide annually. As an independent nation Texas would rank as the world's seventh-largest producer of greenhouse gases.<ref name="GH2"/><ref name="greenhouse1">{{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> Causes of the state's vast greenhouse gas emissions include the state's large number of ] and the state's refining and manufacturing industries.<ref name="GH2"/> | |||
| ==Demographics== | |||
| {{main|Demographics of Texas}} | |||
| ] | |||
| As of 2006, the state has an estimated population of 23,507,783, an increase of 2.5% from the prior year and 12.7% since the year 2000. The state's ] (births - deaths) since the last census was 1,389,275 people, ] from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 801,576 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 451,910 people.<ref name="facts"/> As of 2004, the state had 3.5 million foreign-born residents (15.6 percent of the state population), of which an estimated 1.2 million are ]. Texas from 2000–2006 had the fastest growing illegal immigration rate in the nation.<ref name="CausesHealthcare"/> Because of a strong labor market, from 1995–2000, Texas also is a receiving state of black college graduates from the ] - the return of African Americans to the South.<ref name="blackmigration">, accessed March 19, 2008</ref> | |||
| ===Racial group and ethnic origins=== | |||
| As of the 2006 US Census estimates, the racial and ethnic distribution in Texas are as follows: | |||
| *48.9% ] | |||
| **] (10.9%) | |||
| **] (7.2%) | |||
| **] (7.2%) | |||
| *35.7% total ] or ]<ref name="Census2"/> | |||
| *11.6% ] | |||
| *3.3% ] | |||
| *0.6% ] | |||
| *13% other racial groups | |||
| ] | |||
| German descendants inhabit much of central and southeast-central Texas. Recently, the Asian population in Texas has grown—primarily in Houston and Dallas. Over one-third of Texas residents are of Hispanic origin;<ref name="Census2"/> many have recently arrived, while some ] have ancestors with multigenerational ties to 18th century Texas. In addition to the descendents of the state's former slave population, many African Americans college graduates have come in the New Great Migration.<ref name="blackmigration"/> | |||
| American Indian tribes who once lived inside the boundaries of present-day Texas include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], Hueco and the Karankawa of ]. Currently, three federally recognized Native American tribes reside in Texas: the ] Tribe, the ] Traditional Tribe, and the ].<ref name="nativeamericans">{{Handbook of Texas|id=II/bzi4|name=Native Americans}}</ref> | |||
| ===Religion=== | |||
| ] | |||
| Texas resides in the socially conservative Evangelical Protestant ], and has the highest percentage of people with a religious affiliation in the United States.<ref name="abstinence">{{cite web |last=Connolly |first=Ceci |date=2003-01-21 |year=2003 |title=Texas Teaches Abstinence, With Mixed Grades |publisher=Washington Post |url=http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=12589&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html |accessdate=2008-04-28 |pages=A01}}</ref> ], home to three major evangelical seminaries, has several ], including ], ] and ]. Houston is home to the largest "church" in the nation, ]. ], according to local lore, has the most churches per capita in the nation.<ref name="abstinence"/> | |||
| 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> | |||
| * ] ]{{ndash}} 24.4% | |||
| * ]{{ndash}} 8.1% | |||
| * ]{{ndash}} 21.0% | |||
| * ]{{ndash}} 0.6% | |||
| * ]{{ndash}} 0.1% | |||
| * ], ], ], ], others; 2.0% | |||
| * Unreported{{ndash}} 44.5% | |||
| The largest denominations by number of adherents in 2000 were the ] with 4,368,969; the ] with 3,519,459; and the ] with 1,022,342.<ref name="religion"/> Also, approximately 400,000 ] live in Texas.<ref name="MuslimPopulation">{{cite web |title=Turning Muslim in Texas |work=Faith and Belief |publisher=Channel4.com |url=http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/C/can_you_believe_it/debates/texas1.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> | |||
| ===Cities and towns=== | |||
| {{see also|List of cities in Texas|List of Texas metropolitan areas|Population of Texas cities in 2000}} | |||
| ] | |||
| As of 2000, six incorporated places in Texas have populations greater than 500,000, two of which are ]: Dallas and Houston.<ref name="worldcities">{{cite web |title=Inventory of World Cities |publisher=Globalization and World Cities Research Network |year =2008 |url=http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/citylist.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> Texas has a total of ], with four having populations over 1 million and two over 5 million. Texas has the most cities, three, with populations exceeding 1 million: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio.<ref name=PopEstBigCities>{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2006–01.csv |title=Table 1: Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places Over 100,000, Ranked by July 1, 2006 Population: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 |format=] |work=2005 Population Estimates |publisher=], Population Division |date=2008-06-10 |accessdate=2008-06-10}}</ref> These three rank among the 10 largest cities of the United States. Austin, Fort Worth, and El Paso rank among the top 25 ]. Three ]{{ndash}} ] to the west (Dallas-Fort Worth to San Antonio), ] to the east (Dallas to Houston), and ] to the south (San Antonio to Houston) forms the ] region. The region contains most of the state's largest cities and metropolitan areas, as well as nearly 75 percent of Texas's total population.<ref name="urbantriangle">{{cite web | last = Neuman | first = Michael | title = The Texas Urban Triangle: Framework for Future Growth | publisher = Southwest Region University Transportation Center (SWUTC) | url = http://swutc.tamu.edu/projectdescriptions/167166.htm | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-10-14}}</ref> | |||
| In contrast to the cities, Texas has rural, unincorporated settlements called ] which often lack basic ] and are marked by ].<ref name="Colonias">{{cite web| url= http://www.sos.state.tx.us/border/colonias/faqs.shtml| title= Colonias FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)| accessdate = 2008-10-12| author = Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Office of Community Affairs| publisher= Texas Secretary of State}}</ref> As of 2007, Texas had at least 2,294 colonias, located primarily along the state's {{convert|1248|mi|km|sing=on}} border with Mexico.<ref name="Colonias"/> In total, Texas has the largest concentration of people, approximately 400,000, living in colonias. | |||
| ==Government and politics== | |||
| The ], adopted in 1876, like many ], explicitly provides separation of powers. Much longer than its federal ], the state's Bill of Rights has provisions unique to Texas.<ref name="BillofRights">{{cite web |title=Bill of Rights (Article 1} |work=Texas Politics |publisher=University of Texas |url=http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/7_4_2.html|format=HTML |accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref> | |||
| ===State government=== | |||
| {{main|Government of Texas}} | |||
| {{see also|List of Texas state agencies}} | |||
| ]]] | |||
| Texas has a plural ] system which limits the power of the Governor. Except for the ], voters elect executive officers independently making candidates directly answerable to the public, not the Governor.<ref name="pluralexec">{{cite web |year=2005|title=The Plural Executive|work=Texas Politics| publisher=University of Texas|url=http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/1_9_0.html |accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref> This election system has led to some executive branches split between parties. When ] President ] served as Texas' governor, the state had a ] Lieutenant Governor, ]. The executive branch positions 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.<ref name="pluralexec"/> | |||
| The ] ] consists of the ], with 150 members, and a ], with 31 members. The ] leads the House, and the Lieutenant Governor, the Senate.<ref name="Legislature Members">{{cite web|year=2005|title=Membership|work=Texas Politics |publisher=University of Texas|url=http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/2_2_4.html |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref> The Legislature meets in regular session biennially, but the Governor can call for special sessions as often as desired.<ref name="Special Sessions">{{cite web|year=2005|title=Special Sessions|work=Texas Politics |publisher=University of Texas|url=http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/2_2_2.html |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref> The state's ] spans from the previous calendar year's September 1 to the current year's August 31. Thus, the FY 2008 dates from September 1, 2007 through August 31, 2008. | |||
| The ] is one of the most complex in the United States, with many layers and 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.<ref name="Judiciary">{{Handbook of Texas|id=JJ/msf1|name=Judiciary}}</ref> Although only ] is eligible for the death penalty, Texas leads the nation in executions, 400, from 1982 to 2007.<ref name="CPunish">{{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> Known for their role in Texas law enforcement history, the ] of the ] continue to provide special law enforcement services to the state. | |||
| ===Politics=== | |||
| {{main|Politics of Texas}} | |||
| ] | |||
| Like in other ] states, whites resented the Republican Party after the American Civil War. After regaining power near the end of Reconstruction, the Democratic Party held a monolithic political presence in Texas until the late 20th century. When President ] signed the ], he reportedly said "We have lost the South for a generation".<ref name="SouthWon">{{cite web |last=Risen |first=Clay |date =2006-03-05 |year=2006 |title=How the South was won |publisher=The Boston Globe |url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2006/03/05/how_the_south_was_won/ |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> Scholars attribute the change to the success of Nixon's ]. | |||
| As of the ], a large majority the members of Texas's ] delegation are Republican, and both ] are Republicans. In the ], Of the 32 ], 20 are held by Republicans and 12 by Democrats. Texas' Senators are ] and ]. Since 1994, Texans have not elected a Democrat to a statewide office. The state's Democratic presence comes primarily from ] and urban voters, particularly in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. | |||
| The Texas political atmosphere leans towards ] and ].<ref name="TPoliticalCulture1">{{cite web |title=Texas Political Culture - Introduction |work=Texas Politics |publisher=University of Texas |url=http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/10_1_0.html |format= |accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref><ref name="TPoliticalCulture2">{{cite web |title=Texas Political Culture - Low Taxes, Low Services Political Culture |work=Texas Politics |publisher=University of Texas |url=http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/10_2_1.html |format= |accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref> Since 1980, most of Texas voters have supported Republican Presidential candidates. In 2000 and 2004, Republican George W. Bush won Texas with 60.1% of the vote due in part to his a "favorite son" status as a the Governor of the state. ] won the state in ], but in a smaller margin compared to Bush (55%-44%). Austin consistently leans Democratic in both local and statewide elections. ] and ] remain approximately split. Counties along the Rio Grande often vote Democratic, while most rural areas of Texas vote Republican.<ref name="2000electionresults">{{cite web |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2000&fips=48&f=1&off=0&elect=0 |title=2000 Presidential General Election Results - Texas |publisher=www.uselectionatlas.org |accessdate=2008-07-22}}</ref><ref name="2004electionresults">{{cite web |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2004&fips=48&f=1&off=0&elect=0 |title=2004 Presidential General Election Results - Texas |publisher=www.uselectionatlas.org |accessdate=2007-07-22}}</ref> | |||
| ===Administrative divisions=== | |||
| ] | |||
| {{see also|List of Texas counties|List of United States congressional districts#Texas}} | |||
| Texas has 32 congressional districts, the second-most after California. There are 254 ]—the most nationwide. Each county runs on ] system consisting of four elected commissioners and a county judge. County government runs similar to a "weak" ] system; the county judge has no veto authority, but votes along with the other commissioners. | |||
| Texas does not allow consolidated city-county governments, nor does it have ]s. The state permits cities and counties to enter "interlocal agreements" to share services. Counties are not granted ] status; their powers are strictly defined by state law. The state does not have ]— areas within a county are either incorporated or unincorporated. Incorporated areas are part of a municipality. The county provides limited services to unincorporated areas. Municipalities are classified either "general law" cities or "home rule".<ref name="homerule">McDonald, John V., "An Analysis of Texas' Municipal Home Rule Charters Since 1994" (2000). Applied Research Projects. Paper 124. http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/124/</ref> A municipality may elect home rule status once it exceeds 5,000 population with voter approval. Municipal elections are ].<ref name="reqvote">{{cite web |title=Run for Party Nomination to Public Office |work=Texas Politics |publisher=University of Texas |url=http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/4_6_2.html|format=HTML |accessdate=2008-10-12}}</ref> | |||
| ==Economy== | |||
| ]]] | |||
| {{main|Economy of Texas}} | |||
| Texas's large population, abundance of natural resources, and diverse population and geography have led to a large and highly diverse economy. Since the discovery of oil, the state's economy reflected the state of the ] industry. In recent times, urban centers of the state have diversified, employing two-thirds of the population in 2005. Growth in the state's economy has caused problems associated with ].<ref name="economy1">{{cite web |title=Economic Geography |work=Texas Politics |publisher=University of Texas| url=http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/9_3_2.html|format=HTML |accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref> | |||
| Texas has a "low taxes, low services" reputation.<ref name="TPoliticalCulture1"/> According to the ], Texans' state and local tax burdens rank among the lowest in the nation, 7th lowest nationally, with state and local taxes costing $3,580 per capita, or 8.7% of resident incomes.<ref name="TaxFound">{{cite web | title = Texas | work = Research Areas | publisher = The Tax Foundation | year = 2008 | url = http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/topic/60.html | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-10-15}}</ref> Texas, along with only 6 other states, does not have a ].<ref name="TaxFound"/><ref name="incometax>{{cite web | title = State Individual Income Taxes | publisher = Federation of Tax Administrators | url = http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/ind_inc.html | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-10-12}}</ref> The state has a ] rate, 6.25%, above the national medium, with many localities adding to this percentage.<ref name="TaxFound"/> As for Texas's business tax climate, the state ranks 8th in the nation.<ref name="TaxFound"/> While Texas does not have state ]es, local versions generally rate above the national average.<ref name="TaxFound"/> Texas is a "tax donor state"; in 2005, for every dollar Texans pay to the federal government in ], the state receives back approximately $0.94 in benefits back.<ref name="TaxFound"/> | |||
| In 2004, the ''Site Selection magazine'' ranked Texas as the most business friendly state in the nation. A big reason for this ranking comes from the state's three billion dollar, ].<ref name="1businessclimate">{{cite web |last=Arend |first=Mark |title=The Lone Star States Tops Business Climate Ranking |month =November | year=2004 |url=http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2004/nov/p746/ |accessdate=2008-05-02}}.</ref> In the fourth quarter of 2006, Texas had a ] of $1.09 trillion, the ] highest in the U.S.<ref name="GSP">{{cite web |last=Combs |first=Susan |title=Gross State Product |work=Window on State Government |publisher=Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts |year =2006 |url=http://www.texasahead.org/economy/indicators/ecoind/ecoind5.html#product |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref><ref name="GSP2">{{cite press release |title=Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by State |publisher=Bureau of Economic Analysis |date =2006-10-26 |url=http://www.bea.gov/bea/newsrel/gspnewsrelease.htm |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> ] per capita as of 2005 was $42,975. The state holds the most ] company headquarters in the United States.<ref name="texasfortune500_1">{{cite news| title = Texas passes New York on Fortune 500 list | work = Associated Press | publisher = Dallas Morning News| date = 2008-04-22 | url = http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/042208dnbusfortunetexas.20aec09.html| accessdate = 2008-10-14}}</ref><ref name="texasfortune500_2">{{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> | |||
| ===Agriculture and mining=== | |||
| ]]] | |||
| Agriculturally, Texas has the most farms both in number and acreage in the United States.<ref name="netstateecon">{{cite web |title=The Texas Economy |publisher=netstate.com |date =2007-06-05 |url=http://www.netstate.com/economy/tx_economy.htm |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> Texas leads the nation ] production.<ref name="netstateecon"/> Cattle is the state's most valuable agricultural product, but the state also leads nationally in production of sheep and goat products. Texas leads as ] leading that nation in production of its leading crop and second-most-valuable farm product.<ref name="netstateecon"/> The state also grows significant amounts of ] crops and ].<ref name="netstateecon"/> Texas also has a large commercial fishing industry. With mineral resources, Texas leads in creating cement, crushed stone, lime, salt, sand and gravel.<ref name="netstateecon"/> | |||
| ===Energy=== | |||
| ] | |||
| {{see also|Deregulation of the Texas electricity market}} | |||
| Energy has been a dominant force politically and economically since oil was first discovered in the state. According to the ], Texans consume the most energy in the nation both in per capita and as a whole.<ref name="Petrol">{{cite web |title=Texas Quick Facts |publisher=Energy Information Administration |date =|url=http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=TX|title=Petroleum Profile: Texas|accessdate=2008-12-13}}</ref> Unlike the rest of the nation, most of Texas is on its own ] ], the ]. Despite the ] Texas has a ] electric service. | |||
| The ], contrary to its name, regulates the state's ], gas utilities, pipeline safety, safety in the ] industry, and surface ] and ] mining. Until the 1970s, the commission had enormous control the price of petroleum because of its ability to regulate Texas's oil reserves. The founders of the ] (OPEC) used the Texas agency as one of their models for petroleum ].<ref name="RRcommission">{{Handbook of Texas |id=RR/mdr1 |name=Railroad Commission}}</ref> | |||
| Texas has known petroleum deposits of about {{convert|5|Goilbbl|m3}}, which makes up approximately one-fourth of the known U.S. reserves.<ref name="Petrol"/> The state's ] can process {{convert|4.6|Moilbbl|m3}} of oil a day.<ref name="Petrol"/> The ] in the Houston area is the largest refinery America.<ref name="Petrol"/> Texas also leads in ] production producing one-fourth of the nation's supply.<ref name="Petrol"/> Several ] are based in Texas such as: ], ], ], ], and ]. | |||
| The state is a leader in ] sources producing the most ] nationwide.<ref name="Petrol"/><ref name="wind2">{{cite web |last=Souder |first=Elizabeth |title=Texas leads nation in wind power capacity |newspaper =Dallas Morning News |year=2007 |date =01/08 |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/011808dnbuswindpower.30c78959.html}}</ref> The ], in ] and ], Texas, is the world's largest ] as of Nov. 2008 with a 735.5 ] (MW) capacity.<ref name="fplen">{{cite web| last =FPL Energy, LLC| title =Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center now largest wind farm in the world| publisher =FPL Energy, LLC| date =2007-09-07| url =http://www.fplenergy.com/portfolio/pdf/horsehollow.pdf| accessdate =2008-06-14}}</ref> The state's large agriculture and forestry industries gives Texas enormous ] potential, and the state has one of the highest solar power potential's in the nation.<ref name="Petrol"/> | |||
| ===Technology=== | |||
| ], ].]] | |||
| With large universities systems coupled with initiatives like TEF and the ], a wide array of different ] industries have developed in Texas. The Austin area is nicknamed the "Silicon Hills" and the north Dallas area the "]". Texas has the headquarters of many high technology companies, such as ], ], ], AT&T, and ] (EDS). | |||
| ] (JSC), operated by the ] (NASA), located in Southeast Houston, sits as the crown jewel of Texas's aeronautics industry. ] hosts both ] ] and ].<ref name="LM1">{{cite web |title=Locations |publisher=Lockheed Martin |accessdate=2008-05-22 |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/aeronautics/about/Locations.html}}</ref><ref name="Bell">{{cite web |title=About Bell Helicopter |publisher=Bell Helicopter |accessdate=2008-05-22 |url=http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/company/}}</ref> Lockheed builds the ], the largest Western fighter program, and its successor, the ] in Fort Worth.<ref name="Downside">{{cite web |last=Rosenwald |first=Michael S. |date=2007-12-17 |year=2007 |title=Downside of Dominance? |publisher=The Washington Post |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/16/AR2007121601522.html |accessdate=2008-05-22}}</ref> | |||
| ===Commerce=== | |||
| Texas's ] stimulates a strong commercial sector consisting of retail, wholesale, banking and insurance, and construction industries. Examples of Fortune 500 companies not based on Texas traditional industries are: ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="fortune500_2">{{cite web |title=Texas |publisher=] |date=2007-04-30 |url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/states/TX.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-05-03}}</ref> | |||
| Nationally, the Dallas–Fort Worth area, home to the second shopping center ever built in the United States, ], has the most ] per capita than any metropolitan area.<ref name="VisitDallas_Shopping">{{cite web | title = Dallas Shopping | publisher = Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau | url = http://www.visitdallas.com/downloads/1224091342.02416300_679fbde386/DallasShopping.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2008-02-20}}</ref> | |||
| ] (NAFTA) contributes to Mexico, the state's largest trading partner, importing a third of the state's exports. NAFTA has encouraged the formation of controversial ] on the Texas/Mexico border.<ref name="economy2">{{cite web|title=Recent Economic Transformations |work=Texas Politics |publisher=University of Texas |url=http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/9_3_3.html|format=HTML |accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref> | |||
| ==Transportation== | |||
| {{main|Transportation in Texas}} | |||
| Texans have historically had difficulties traversing Texas due to the state's large size and rough terrain. Texas has compensated by building both America's largest ] and railway systems in terms of mileage, as well as the largest number of airports.<ref name="AdvaTransport">{{cite web |title=Texas-Transportation |publisher=Advamag, Inc. |year =2007 |url=http://www.city-data.com/states/Texas-Transportation.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2006-05-04}}</ref> The ], the ] (TxDOT), "work cooperatively to provide safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods."<ref name="texdotmission">{{cite web |title=Mission and Vision |publisher=Texas Department of Transportation |url=http://www.dot.state.tx.us/about_us/mission.htm |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> Though most widely known for maintenance of the state's immense highway system, the agency also regulates ],<ref name="texdotaviation">{{cite web |title=Aviation Division |publisher=Texas Department of Transportation |url=http://www.dot.state.tx.us/services/aviation/default.htm |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> and ] systems.<ref name="texdottransport">{{cite web |title=Transportation Division |publisher=Texas Department of Transportation |url=http://www.dot.state.tx.us/services/public_transportation/default.htm |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref> | |||
| Texas's central location within the North American continent has made it an important ]. From the Dallas/Fort Worth area, trucks can reach 93 percent of the nation's population within 48 hours, and 37 percent within 24.<ref name="JDFTransport">{{cite web |title=5 Reasons To Choose the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex As A Distribution Hub |publisher=JDF Distribution |url=http://jdfdistribution.com/pdf/dallas-for-distribution.pdf?doc=dfd.pdf |format=PDF|accessdate=2008-10-14}}</ref> Texas benefits from its central location between four of the continent's major economic centers: New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Toronto.<ref name="JDFTransport"/> Texas has the most ] (FTZ), in the nation, 33.<ref name="FTZ1">{{cite web | publication-date = August 2007 |title=Texas and General Foreign Trade Zones Information |publisher=Office of the Governor of Texas |url=http://www.texasone.us/site/DocServer/Texas_FTZs_Document_2007.pdf?docID=2221 |accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref> In 2004 a combined total of $298 billion of goods passed though Texas FTZs.<ref name="FTZ1"/> | |||
| ===Highways=== | |||
| ] | |||
| {{main|Texas state highways}} | |||
| Texans have heavily traveled their ]s since the 1948 opening of the ] in Houston.<ref name="txfwy"> | |||
| {{cite web | title = Interstate 45 South, the Gulf Freeway | publisher = TexasFreeway.com | date=2001-05-28 | url = http://www.texasfreeway.com/Houston/photos/45s/i45s.shtml | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-10-15}}</ref> As of 2005 {{convert|79535|mi|km|0}} of public highway crisscrossed Texas (up from {{convert|71000|mi|km|0}} in 1984).<ref name="highwaymiles">{{cite web |title=LoneStarRoads - Highways of Texas |publisher=AARoads |date=2008-02-09 |url=http://www.aaroads.com/texas/ |format=html |doi= |accessdate=2008-04-20}}</ref> There are currently 17 ], with several additional ]s proposed.<ref name="tollways2">{{cite web |title=Global List of Toll Facilities - United States |publisher=International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association |year =2005 |url=http://www.ibtta.org/Information/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2530 |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-20}}</ref> In the west Texas, both ] and ] have speed limits of ], the highest in the nation.<ref name="speedlimit">{{cite web |title=Texas Raises Rural Speed Limits to 80 MPH{{ndash}} |publisher=FOXNews.com / Associated Press |date=2006-05-08 |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,197072,00.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-05-12}}</ref> | |||
| ===Airports=== | |||
| {{see also|List of airports in Texas}} | |||
| ] | |||
| Texas has the most airports of any state in the nation.<ref name="AdvaTransport"/> Largest of these is ] (DFW), the second largest in the United States, and fourth largest in the world.<ref name="DFWAir">{{cite web |url=http://www.dfwairport.com/visitor/index.php?ctnid=24254 |title=Facts about DFW |accessdate=2008-10-14 |work=Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport}}</ref> In traffic, DFW is the busiest in the state, fourth in the United States,<ref name="GreatPlacesAvi">{{cite web|title=10 Great Places for Aviation and Aerospace|author=Jennifer LeClaire|work=Southern Business and Development|url=http://www.sb-d.com/archivesite/www.sb-d.com/issues/spring2007/features/10GreatPlacesForAviationAndAerospace.html|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> and sixth worldwide.<ref name="DFWAir2">{{cite web|title=Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport |work=USAToday| url=http://destinations.usatoday.com/dallas/| accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> The airport serves 135 domestic destinations and 40 international. ]s ] / ], the world's largest airline in total passengers-miles transported<ref name="AA1">Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 15, 2007, p. 349, </ref> and passenger fleet size,<ref name="AMR">{{cite web |title=American airlines information pictures and facts |publisher=aviationexplorer.com |date=2008-04-11 |url=http://www.aviationexplorer.com/american_airlines.htm |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> uses DFW as its largest and main ]. ], is also headquartered in Dallas, Texas, began its operations at ].<ref name="SW1">{{cite web |url=http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/airborne.html |title=We Weren't Just Airborne Yesterday |date=2007-05-02|publisher=Southwest Airlines |accessdate=2007-06-09}}</ref> It ranks as the largest airline in the United States by number of passengers carried domestically per year and the ] by number of passengers carried.<ref name="IATA">{{cite web |url=http://www.iata.org/pressroom/wats/wats_passengers_carried.htm |title=Scheduled Passengers Carried |author=] |accessdate=2007-06-10}}</ref> | |||
| Texas's second-largest air facility Houston's ] (IAH) serves as Houston based ]'s largest hub. IAH offers service to the most Mexican destinations of any U.S. airport.<ref name="GBAir1">{{cite web|title=About George Bush Intercontinental Airport|publisher=Houston Airport System|url=http://www.houstonairportsystem.org/iahAbout|format=HTML|accessdate=2008-06-28}}</ref><ref name="GBAir2">{{cite press release|title=Houston Emerges As The Premier Gateway In The U.S. For Travelers To Mexico|publisher=Houston Airport System|date=2005-04-12|url=http://www.fly2houston.com/0/8178/0/1906D1940/|accessdate=2006-12-30}} </ref> IAH ranks third among U.S. airports with scheduled non-stop domestic and international service.<ref name="GBAir1"/> | |||
| ===Ports=== | |||
| ] | |||
| {{main|List of ports in the United States}} | |||
| Over 1,000 ] dot Texas's coast with over {{convert|1000|mi|km}} of ].<ref name="ports1">{{cite web |title=About Texas Ports |publisher=Texas Ports Association |url=http://www.texasports.org/ |accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref> Ports employ nearly one-million people and handle an average of 317 million ].<ref name="portbenefits">{{cite web |title=Benefits of Texas Ports |publisher=Texas Ports Association |url=http://www.texasports.org/benefits/ |accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref> Texas ports connect with the rest of the US Atlantic seaboard with the ] section of the ].<ref name= "ports1"/> Galveston served as the state's primary port until the ]. With the completion of the Houston Ship Channel in 1919, the ] replaced Galveston and today is the busiest port in the United States in foreign tonnage, second in overall tonnage, and ] worldwide in tonnage.<ref name="porthouston">{{cite web |date=2008-03-31 |year=2008 |title=General Information |publisher=The Port of Houston Authority |url=http://www.portofhouston.com/geninfo/overview1.html |accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref> The ] currently spans {{convert|530|ft|m}} wide by {{convert|45|ft|m}} deep by {{convert|50|mi|km}} long.<ref name="HGnav">"Welcome to the Houston-Galveston Navigation Channel Project Online Resource Center" (description), ], December 2005, </ref> | |||
| ===Railroads=== | |||
| ] in Houston]] | |||
| {{seealso|List of Texas railroads}} | |||
| Part of the state's ] originates from ] in which ]s herded livestock to ]s in Kansas. The first railroad in Texas completed in 1872, the ], diminished the need for these drives. Since 1911, Texas has led the nation in railroad length. Railroads led Texas cities to develop radially. Texas railway mileage peaked in 1932 at {{convert|17078|mi|km}}, but declined to {{convert|14006|mi|km}} by 2000.<ref name="AdvaTransport"/> The ], originally regulated state railroads, but in 2005, the state reassigned these duties to TxDOT.<ref name="RRCMove">{{cite web |title=Former Rail Division|publisher=Texas Railroad Commission |date=2005-10-01 |url=http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/divisions/rail_moved/index.html?/rail.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-05-04}}</ref> | |||
| Both Dallas and Houston feature ] systems. ] (DART) built the first light rail system in the ].<ref name="DARTLightRail">{{cite web |last=Myerson |first=Allen R. |date =1996-06-14 |year=1996 |title=Dallas Opening Southwest's First Rail Transit |publisher=] |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D01EFD81739F937A25755C0A960958260 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> The ] service, the ] (TRE), links Fort Worth and Dallas, provided by the ] (the T) and DART.<ref name="TRE">{{cite web |title=Trinity Railroad Express |url=http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/ |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-06-11}}</ref> The ], ] (METRO) operates lines in the Houston area. | |||
| ] provides Texas limited intercity passenger rail service both in size and frequency. Just three scheduled routes serve the state: the daily '']'' {{nowrap|(Chicago–San Antonio)}}; the tri-weekly '']'' {{nowrap|(New Orleans–Los Angeles)}}, with stops in Texas; and the daily '']'' {{nowrap|(Fort Worth–Oklahoma City)}}. Past attempts to create a Texas ] system have met ].<ref name="HSRail">{{cite web |url=http://www.thsrtc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=3 |title=''Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation |accessdate=2008-10-31 |date=2008-06-19 |format= HTML |publisher=''Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation}}</ref> | |||
| ==Culture== | |||
| {{main|Culture of Texas}} | |||
| {{see also|List of people from Texas|List of Texas symbols}} | |||
| ] has presided over every Texas State Fair since 1952]] | |||
| Historically, Texas culture comes from a blend of Southwestern (Mexican), Southern (Dixie), and Western (frontier) influences. A popular food item, the ], draws from all three influences, having a soft flour tortilla wrapped around bacon and scrambled eggs or other hot, cooked fillings. Adding to Texas's traditional culture, established in the 18th and 19th Centuries, immigration has made Texas a ] of cultures from around the world. | |||
| ===Arts=== | |||
| {{further|]}} | |||
| Houston is one of only five American cities with permanent professional resident companies in all of the major performing arts disciplines: the ], the ], the ], and ].<ref name="houstontheater">{{cite web |title=About Houston Theater District |publisher=] |url=http://www.houstontheaterdistrict.org/en/cms/?68 |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> Known for the vibrancy of its ] and ], the ]—a 17-block area in the heart of ]—ranks 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 name="houstontheater"/> | |||
| Founded in 1892, ], also called "The Modern", is Texas's oldest art museum. Fort Worth also has the ], the ], the ], the ], and the ] downtown. The ] of ] has arts venues such as the ], the ], ], and the ].<ref name="Dallasarts">{{cite web |title=Dallas Arts District |publisher=Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau |accessdate=2008-05-29 |url=http://www.visitdallas.com/visitors/listing-details?id=492}}</ref> | |||
| ] in Houston]] | |||
| The ] district within Dallas became popular during the 1920s and 1930s as the prime ] and ] hotspot in the Southern United States. The name Deep Ellum comes from local people pronouncing "Deep Elm" as "Deep Ellum".<ref name="DeepElm">{{Handbook of Texas|id=DD/hpd1|name=Deep Ellum}}</ref> Artists such as ], ], Huddie "]" Ledbetter, and ] played in early Deep Ellum clubs.<ref name="DeepElm2">{{cite web |title=Dallas History Items: Deep Ellum |publisher=Dallas Historical Society |url=http://www.dallashistory.org/history/dallas/deep_ellum.htm |accessdate=2008-07-25}}</ref> | |||
| Austin, the ], boasts the most venues per capita citywise.<ref name="livemusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofaustin.org/music/|title=Live Music Capital of the World|accessdate=2007-06-12|publisher=City of Austin}}</ref> The city's music revolves around the ]s on ] and events like the ], music, and ] festivals, ]. The longest-running concert music program on American television, '']'' and its similarly named ] run at ].<ref name="AustinCL">{{cite web | last = Bernardini | first = Deb | authorlink = http://dbmpr.com/ | title = Television’s longest running concert series begins season 33 Tapings with performances by Norah Fones, Wilco, Femi Kuti, Arcade Fire and more | url = http://dbmpr.com/pressroom/acl/ACLFinalPR.doc.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2008-10-15}}</ref> | |||
| Over the past couple of decades, San Antonio has evolved into the "Nashville of ]." The ] have provided a forum to create greater awareness and appreciation for Tejano music and culture.<ref name="TejanoMA">{{cite web |title=Tejano Music Awards |publisher=Texas Talent Musicians Association |year =2008 |url=http://www.tejanomusicawards.com/ |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-05-12}}</ref> | |||
| ===Sports=== | |||
| {{main|Sports in Texas}} | |||
| {{further|], and ]}} | |||
| ], home of the Texas Rangers]] | |||
| While ] has long been considered “king” in the state, Texans today enjoy a wide variety of sports.<ref name="FBKing">{{cite news|last=Brady |first=Erik |title=Football still king, but hoops teams in Texas grab attention |publisher=] |date=2003-04-04 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2003-04-03-texas-double_x.htm |accessdate=2008-04-11}} </ref> Texans have a plethora of ] teams to cheer for. Texas has two ] teams, the ] and the ]; two ] teams, the ] and ]; three ] teams: the ], the ], and the ]; two ] teams: the ] and the ]; one National Hockey League team, the ]. Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area is one of only ] that hosts sports teams from all the ]. Other professional teams include the ], and ], and the ]. | |||
| ] have deep significance in Texas culture. The state has the most ] schools in America, ten. The four largest programs in the state, the ], ], ], and ], belong to the ]. According to a survey of Division I-A coaches the ] between the ] and the University of Texas, the ], ranks the third best in the nation.<ref name="RRShootout">{{cite news |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/redrivershootout/texas/stories/100705dnspofbwnewrivalrylede.1c8619ce.html |title=UT-OU : Best Rivalry? |work=Dallas Morning News |last=Davis |first=Brian |date=2005-10-07 |accessdate=2006-07-11}}</ref> A fierce rivalry, the ], also exists between the two state's largest universities, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas.]]]<!--This image contains trademarked symbols, the ATM and the longhorn, and is only being used to illustrate said symbols within context--> | |||
| Collegiate teams nationwide see Texas as an American Football recruiting hotbed. In 2006, 170 players in the NFL came from Texas high schools.<ref name="HSrecruit">{{cite web |last=Talman |first=John |title=Lone Star Competition |newspaper =] |year=2006 |date=2006-03-15 |url=http://rivals100.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=880&CID=523700}}.</ref> The ] (UIL) organizes most primary and secondary school competitions. Events organized by UIL include athletics as well as the arts and academic subjects such as ].<ref name="UIL">{{cite web| title = University Interscholastic League| publisher = University of Texas| url = http://www.uil.utexas.edu/| format = HTML| accessdate = 2008-09-28}}</ref> | |||
| Texans also enjoy the ]. The annual ], the largest rodeo in the world, begins with trail rides that originate from several points throughout the state, that convene at ]. On July 4, 1883, ], Texas hosted the world’s first rodeo.<ref name="HoustonRodeo">{{cite web |title=Houston Rodeo Tickets |publisher=Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo |year =2008 |url=http://www.houstonrodeoonline.com/ |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-20}}</ref> The ] in Fort Worth, Texas has a cowboy, a Mexican and many traditional rodeos. Dallas hosts the ] each year at ].<ref name="statefair">{{cite web |title=Fair Park, TX |publisher=City of Dallas |accessdate=2008-05-22 |url=http://www.dallascityhall.com/FairPark/art_architectural.html}}</ref> | |||
| ==Healthcare== | |||
| {{see also|List of hospitals in Texas}} | |||
| ] ranks the Texas ] the third worst in the nation.<ref name="insurancenet">{{cite web |last=Perotin |first=Maria M. |title=Texas is Near Bottom of Healthcare Rankings |newspaper =] |year=2007 |date=2007-06-13 |url=http://www.insurancenewsnet.com/article.asp?a=top_lh&id=80824 |accessdate=2008-04-22}}</ref> Texas ranks close to last in access to healthcare, quality of care, avoidable hospital spending, and equity among various groups.<ref name="insurancenet"/> Causes of the state's poor rankings include: politics, a high poverty rate, and illegal immigration, Texas having the highest rate in the nation.<ref name="CausesHealthcare">{{cite web |last=Roberson |first=Jason |title=Politics, poverty, immigration entangle Texas health care |newspaper =] |year=2007 |date=2008-12-04 |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/120407dnbustexashealth.29ab7e6.html}}</ref> In May 2006, Texas initiated the program "code red" in response to the report that the state had 25.1 percent of the population without health insurance, the largest proportion in the nation.<ref name="codered">{{cite web |title=Code Red: The Critical Condition of Health in Texas |url=http://www.coderedtexas.org/ |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> Texas also has controversial ] for ] lawsuits, set at $250,000, in an attempt to "curb rising malpractice premiums, and control escalating healthcare costs".<ref name="tort">{{cite web |last=Odom |first=Lamar |last2 =Garcia |first2 =Anthony |last3 =Milburn |first3 =Pamela |year=2005 |title=The Ethicality of Capping Non-Economic Damages to Control Rising Healthcare Costs: Panacea or False and Misleading Practice? |edition =1 |volume=3 |publisher=The Internet Journal of Healthcare Administration |isbn=1531–2933 |url=http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=journals/ijhca/vol3n1/capping.xml |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> | |||
| The ] ranked Texas 15th highest adult ] rate, 27.2 percent.<ref name="healthyamericans">{{cite web| title = Texas| work = State Data| publisher = Trust for America's Health| year = 2008| url= http://healthyamericans.org/states/states.php?measure=highschooloverweight&sort=data| format = HTML| accessdate = 2008-10-14}}</ref> The 2008 ] obesity survey ranked four Texas cities among the top 25 fattest cities in America; Houston ranked 6th, Dallas 7th, El Paso 8th, and ] 14th.<ref name="obese2"> | |||
| {{cite web |title=America's Fittest Cities 2007 |newspaper =Men's Health |year=2008 |url=http://www.mensfitness.com/city_rankings/462 |accessdate=2008-04-21}}.</ref> Texas had only city Austin, ranked 21st, in the top 25 among the "fittest cities" in America.<ref name="obese2"/> The same survey has evaluated the state's obesity initiatives favorably with a "B+".<ref name="obese2"/> | |||
| ===Medical research=== | |||
| ] | |||
| Many elite research medical centers reside in Texas. The state has eight ],<ref name="MedicalSchools">{{cite web |title=Texas Medical Schools and Hospitals |publisher=Texas Medical Association |date =2006-08-03 |url=http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=86 |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> three dental schools,<ref name="dentalschool">{{cite web |url=http://www.dentist.net/dentalschools.asp |title=Dental Schools in the United States |accessdate=2008-10-31 |format=HTML |publisher=Dentist.net}}</ref> and one ] school.<ref name="optometry">{{cite web |url=http://healthguideusa.org/optometry/texas_optometry_schools.htm |title=Texas Optometry Schools |accessdate=2008-10-31 |format=HTML |publisher=Health Guide USA}}</ref> Texas has two ] (BSL-4) laboratories: one at ] (UTMB) in Galveston,<ref name="biosafety4">{{cite web|url=http://www.bioscrypt.com/news/press/item-728/|date=October 14, 2004|title=University Selects Bioscrypt for Biosafety Level 4 Lab|publisher=Bioscrypt|accessdate=2006-04-29}}</ref> and the other at the ] in San Antonio—the first privately owned BSL-4 lab in the United States.<ref name="biosafety4_2">{{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> | |||
| The ], in Houston, holds the world's largest concentration of ] and ] institutions, with 45 member institutions.<ref name="TexasMC">{{cite web| title = ''Texas Medical Center'' Facts and Figures | publisher = Texas Medicial Center | year = 2008 | url =http://www.texmedctr.tmc.edu/root/en/GetToKnow/FactsandFigures/Facts+and+Figures.htm | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-10-15}}</ref> Texas Medical Center performs the most heart transplants in the world.<ref name="HeartTransplants">{{cite web |title=Background Statistics > People and Politics (most recent) by state |publisher=State Master |date =2008-05-08 |url=http://www.statemaster.com/graph/bac_bac-background-people-and-politics |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-05-08}}</ref> San Antonio's South Texas Medical Center facilities rank sixth in clinical medicine research impact in the United States<ref name="UTSAFactsheet">{{cite web |date=2007-04-03 |year=2007 |title=Health Science Center ranks sixth in clinical medicine |edition =7 |volume=XL |publisher=University of Texas Health Science Center |url=http://www.uthscsa.edu/hscnews/singleformat.asp?newID=2353 |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> with the ] being another highly ranked research and educational institution.<ref name="Tmedicialcenter2">{{cite web |title=Medical center's research ranks high |publisher=San Antonio Express-News |accessdate=2008-05-15 |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/MYSA040407_medical_center_EN_2dc65c3e_html751.html}}</ref><ref name="DentalSchool">{{cite web |title=International report gives Dental School high marks |publisher=HSC NEWS |accessdate=2008-05-15 |url=http://www.uthscsa.edu/hscnews/singleformat.asp?newID=1742}}</ref> Also in Houston, highly regarded academic institution, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, centers around cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.<ref name="MDAnderson">{{cite web |title=About MD Anderson |publisher=] |url=http://www.mdanderson.org/about_mda/ |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> | |||
| Both the ] and the ] call Dallas home. The Southwestern Medical Center ranks "among the top academic medical centers in the world".<ref name="UTSWAboutUs">{{cite web |title=About UT Southwestern |publisher=University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center |url=http://www8.utsouthwestern.edu/home/about/index.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> The ] employs the most medical school ] in the world.<ref name="UTSWFactsheet">{{cite web |title=UT Southwestern Fact Sheet |publisher=University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center |year =2008 |url=http://www8.utsouthwestern.edu/vgn/images/portal/cit_56417/43/32/2800592006_Fact_Sheet.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref><ref name="UTSWAboutUs"/> | |||
| ==Education== | |||
| {{main|Education in Texas}} | |||
| ]]] | |||
| Texas ranked 26 in the ]'s Report Card on American Education. Texas students ranked higher than average in 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. Texas paid instructors $38,130, below the national average. The state provided 89.22% of the funding for education, the federal government 10.8%.<ref name="reportcard">{{cite web| title = Texas| work = 2007 Report Card on American Education| publisher = American Legislative Exchange Council| year = 2007| url = http://www.alec.org/am/pdf/states/texas2007.pdf|accessdate=2008-04-08| format = PDF| accessdate = 2008-10-14}}</ref> | |||
| The ] (TEA) administers the state's public school systems. Texas has ] ]s—all districts except the ] are independent from ] and many cross city boundaries.<ref name="Stafford">{{cite press release|title=Comptroller Strayhorn to Review Stafford Municipal School District|publisher=Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn|date=2003-09-16|format=HTML|url=http://www.cpa.state.tx.us/news/30916stafford.html|accessdate=2008-06-28}}</ref> School districts have the power to ] their residents and to assert ] over privately owned property. Due to court-mandated equitable school financing for school districts, the state has a controversial tax redistribution system called the"]". This plan transfers property tax revenue from wealthy school districts to poor ones.<ref name="robinhood">{{cite web| last=Saghaye-Biria| first=Hakimeh| title=Robin Hood Plan is Working|date=2001-04-22|publisher= World Internet News Cooperative| url= http://soc.hfac.uh.edu/artman/publish/article_137.shtml| accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> The TEA has no authority over ] or ] activities.<ref name="homeschool">{{cite web | publication-date =2007-11-01|title=Home School Information Letter|publisher=Texas Education Agency |url=http://www.tea.state.tx.us/home.school/homeltr.html|accessdate=2008-06-24}}</ref> | |||
| Texas students take the ], the ] (TAKS), both in ] and ]. TAKS assess students' attainment of ], ], ], ], and ] skills required under Texas education standards and the ]. In spring 2007, Texas legislators replaced the TAKS for freshmen in the 2011–2012 school year and onward with End of Course exams for core high school classes.<ref name="TAKS">{{cite news|url=http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/admin/eoc/index.html|title="End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments: Implementation" |last=Texas Education Agency|first= |work=Assessment Division|date=2007-10-22|accessdate=2007-10-22}}</ref> | |||
| ===Colleges and universities=== | |||
| {{further|]}} | |||
| ] | |||
| The second ], ], is called the ''Father of Texas Education''. During his term, the state set aside three ] of land for each county for equipping public schools. An additional 50 leagues of land set aside for the support of two universities would later become the basis of the state’s ]. Lamar's actions set the foundation for a Texas-wide public school system.<ref name=hen37>Hendrickson (1995), p. 37.</ref> Discoveries of valuable minerals, principally oil, on this land is basis of the state’s two largest ]s, the ] and the ]. The PUF principal in fall 2005 was approximately $15 billion, second in size only to ]'s endowment.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 NACUBO Endowment Study|publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers|url=http://www.nacubo.org/Images/All%20Institutions%20Listed%20by%20FY%202007%20Market%20Value%20of%20Endowment%20Assets_2007%20NES.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-11-12}}</ref> | |||
| In addition to the state's two Permanent University Fund university systems, Texas has four other state university systems and four independent public universities.<ref name="UniSystems">{{cite web | last = Heath | first = Ben | publisher = Daily Texan | date = 2003-07-07 | url = http://www.utsystem.edu/news/clips/dailyclips/2003/0706-0712/UTSystem-DT-BillRequires-070703.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate =2007-10-12}}</ref><ref name="unisystems2">{{cite web | title = Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education Testimony Regarding the Benefits of a Stand Alone Institution | publisher = Sam Houston State University | date = 2008-06-25 | url =http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/commit/c535/20080625/062508_SFA_Testimony_Dr_Pattillo.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate =2008-10-12}}</ref> These University systems are the ], ], ], and ]. Texas's controversial alternative ] plan, ], guarantees Texas students who graduated in the ] of their ] class automatic admission to state-funded universities. The bill encourages ] while avoiding problems stemming from the '']'' (1996) case. | |||
| The ] and ] are ] of the state of Texas. Both were established by the ] and hold stakes in the Permanent University Fund. The state is considering expanding the number of flagship universities by elevating some of its emerging research universities—such as ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Venable|first=Amanda|title=Texas State not considered for top-tier status|work=The University Star|url=http://star.txstate.edu/content/texas-state-not-considered-top-tier-status|accessdate=2008-11-12}}</ref> | |||
| While Texas did not form public universities until its statehood, the former republic chartered two ]: ] and ].<ref name="privateuni">{{cite web |title=About Baylor |publisher=Baylor University |accessdate=2008-05-21 |url=http://www.baylor.edu/about/}}</ref><ref name="southwestern">{{cite web |title=Southwestern History |publisher=Southwestern University |accessdate=2008-10-12 |url=http://www.southwestern.edu/about/about-history.html}}</ref> Other prominent private institutions include ] in Houston, ] in Fort Worth, and ] in Dallas. | |||
| Universities in Texas currently host two ]: ] at Texas A&M University and the ] at the University of Texas. An agreement has been reached to create a third; the ] at Southern Methodist University. | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| {{portal|Texas|Flag of Texas.svg|left=no}} | |||
| *] | |||
| ==Footnotes== | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{refbegin}} | |||
| *{{citation|last=Chipman|first=Donald E.|title=Spanish Texas, 1519–1821|publisher=]|location=]|date=1992|isbn=0292776594}} | |||
| *{{citation|last=Hendrickson|first=Kenneth E., Jr.|title=The Chief of Executives of Texas: From Stephen F. Austin to John B. Connally, Jr.|publisher=]|location=]|date=1995|isbn=0890966419}} | |||
| *{{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}} | |||
| {{refend}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Texas History}} | |||
| {{sisterlinks}} | |||
| ;State Government | |||
| * | |||
| * - Annotated list of searchable databases produced by Texas state agencies and compiled by the ''Government Documents Roundtable of the American Library Association''. | |||
| *. An online textbook from the College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas. | |||
| ;U.S. Government | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| ;Other | |||
| * | |||
| *{{ndash}} Published by the ''Texas State Historical Association'' | |||
| *, hosted by the ''University of North Texas Libraries'' | |||
| * | |||
| *{{wikitravel}} | |||
| * | |||
| {{Template group | |||
| |list = | |||
| {{Texas|expand}} | |||
| {{United States}} | |||
| {{US South}} | |||
| {{Six flags of Texas}} | |||
| {{Confederate States of America}} | |||
| {{coord|31|N|100|W|region:US-TX_type:adm1st_scale:10000000|display=title}} | |||
| }} | |||
| {{succession | |||
| |preceded = ] | |||
| |office = ] | |||
| |years = Admitted on December 29, 1845 (28th) | |||
| |succeeded = ] | |||
| }} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 16:58, 18 December 2008
TEXAS IS BORING