Texas, America's unique Lone Star State, often brings to mind cactus and cowboys, tumbleweeds and sombreros.  Within this enormous state, though, are also miles of pristine, sunwashed coastline, the gentle rolling terrain of the Texas Hill Country and mountains that loom over 8,000 feet.

 

Second in size only to the state of Alaska, Texas is divided into 11 natural subregions and 254 counties.  The 267,777 square miles that make up Texas is as large as all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and North Carolina combined.  The Gulf Coast is 600 miles worth of beaches and sand dunes, including Padre Island, the longest remaining undeveloped barrier island in the world.  Big Bend Country  on Texas' western rim is a mix of desert and high mountains and home to two awesome national parks, Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend National Park.  The Panhandle in the northern section of the state has the vast open expanses that has inspired great artists like Georgia O'Keeffe to try to catch the particular flavor of this haunting region.

 

The Piney Woods in the East and the Hill Country  in the west are two beautiful regions, full of undulating hills and spring-fed rivers, historic towns and quiet, undiscovered lakes.   The South Texas Plains region is where Texas meets Mexico and the Tex-Mex culture was born and still thrives.

Throughout all the various regions and terrains of Texas, one common denominator is the independence and rugged pride of its people.  Fiercely loyal to their land and their state, at the same time they are an open and friendly folk.  The word Texas was derived from the Spanish pronunciation of the Caddo Indian word meaning friend or ally.  The state motto is "friendship."

According to the 2000 census, 20,851,820 make their home in Texas, designating it as America's 2nd most populous state and the 8th fastest growing state in the nation.  The median household income for 1999 was reported at just under $40,000.  Trade, real estate, and oil and gas make up the top three industries.  The five largest cities in Texas are Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and El Paso.
 

First explored by Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500's, France laid claim to a portion of Texas in 1685, though large scale settlement didn't begin until the 19th century.  In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain, and Stephen Austin was granted permission to settle a colony of 300 families in Southeast Texas; this was the start of the first official Anglo-American colonization.  By 1835, the new Texans were fighting for their independence from Mexico, and the Battle of the Alamo, along with other deadly skirmishes, were making Texas history.

Six National Flags have flown over Texas:  Spain, France, United Mexican States, Confederate States of America, the Republic of Texas and the United States of America.  Texas has gone through eight changes of government.

Today's Texas offers a whole new world to explore.  Hunting, Fishing, Boating and Camping opportunities are endless.  From Natural Bridge Caverns and Cave Without A Name, to riding horses on one of the many dude ranches scattered throughout the state, or climbing one of Texas' many mountains, Texas will keep even the hardiest outdoor enthusiast busy.

For those who don't have such rugged taste, the Texan people have ongoing festivals and fiestas to visit. The Poteet Strawberry Festival,  the Cowboy Homecoming and Rodeo in Pleasanton, and apple and peanut and strawberry festivals abound.  Taste the special flavor of Texan barbecue and line dance to the unique western music.  Stroll the The Riverwalk in historic San Antonio or shop in the modern metropolis of Dallas.  Whether wandering through the haunting Blackland Prairies and Upper Coastal Plain region, or hooting and hollering on one of the rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, a stay in Texas is sure to delight young and old alike.