Map of Texas

The state of Texas is located in the South Central region of the United States. Texas shares borders with Mexico to the south, New Mexico to the west, Oklahoma to the north, Arkansas to the northeast, and Louisiana to the east

About the map:

This map of Texas State shows the state borders, states, state capital, county borders, counties, county seats and important cities.

County seats are indicated by a red circle, white circles indicate cities, and the capital of Texas is indicated by a star in the red circle. The larger the city in terms of population, the larger the circle on the map and the larger the font of the city name.

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Key Facts:

The Great Seal of the State of Texas	Flag of Texas
Capital:	Austin
Largest city:	Houston
Largest metropolitan area:	Dallas–Fort Worth
Largest county by population:	Harris
Largest county by area:	Brewster
Area:	268,597 sq mi (695,662 km2)
Population (2025):	31,709,821[1]
Density:	0.0/sq mi (0.0/km2)
Dimensions:	Length 801 mi (1,289 km) Width 773 mi (1,244 km)
Latitude:	25°50′ N to 36°30′ N
Longitude:	93°31′ W to 106°39′ W
Elevation:	Highest elevation (Guadalupe Peak) - 8,751 ft (2,667.4 m) Lowest elevation (Gulf of Mexico) - 0 ft (0 m)
Official language:	None
Religion (2020):[2]	47% - Protestantism 28% - Catholicism 0.5% - Other Christian 1% - Jewish 1% - Buddhism 1% - Muslim 20% - Unaffiliated 5% - other religions
Racial/ethnic groups (2025):[1]	38.7% White (not Hispanic or Latino) 40.3% Hispanic or Latino 13.7% Black or African American 2.4% Two or more races 6.4% Asian 1.1% Native American or Alaska Native 0.2% Pacific Islander
Median household income (2024):	$78,476[1]
USPS abbreviation:	TX
ISO 3166 code:	US-TX
Time zone:	Majority of state: UTC−06:00 (Central) Summer (DST) UTC−05:00 (CDT) El Paso, Hudspeth, and northwestern Culberson counties: UTC−07:00 (Mountain) Summer (DST) UTC−06:00 (MDT)
The Official Website of the State of Texas:	www.texas.gov

About the State of Texas

Texas is the second-largest state in the United States by both area and population, located in the South Central region of the country. With an area of approximately 268,597 square miles (695,662 square kilometers), Texas is exceeded in size only by Alaska. The state capital is Austin, while Houston is the most populous city. Texas shares borders with Mexico to the south, New Mexico to the west, Oklahoma to the north, Arkansas to the northeast, and Louisiana to the east. The Gulf of Mexico forms the southeastern boundary.

Where is the state of Texas in the United States of America?

Etymology and Nickname

The name "Texas" derives from the Caddo word táyshaʔ, meaning "friends" or "allies." Spanish explorers adopted this term when referring to the Caddo people and their territory. Texas is commonly known as the "Lone Star State", a reference to its former status as an independent republic and the single star on its flag.

Geography and Climate

Texas encompasses diverse geographical regions, ranging from deserts in the west to subtropical forests in the east. The state contains portions of several distinct geographic areas including the Great Plains, the Gulf Coastal Plain, and the interior lowlands. Major rivers include the Rio Grande, which forms much of the border with Mexico, the Colorado River, the Brazos River, and the Red River. The highest point is Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet (2,667 meters) in the Guadalupe Mountains.

The climate varies significantly across the state. East Texas experiences humid subtropical conditions with high rainfall, while West Texas features an arid desert climate. The Panhandle region can experience severe winter weather, while South Texas typically maintains mild winters and hot summers. Texas is located in "Tornado Alley" and experiences numerous tornadoes annually, particularly in North Texas. The state also faces hurricane risks along its Gulf Coast.

History

Indigenous peoples inhabited the Texas region for thousands of years before European contact. Several Native American tribes, including the Apache, Comanche, Caddo, and Karankawa, lived in various parts of the territory.

Spanish colonization began in the early 16th century when explorers such as Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca traversed the region. Spain established missions and presidios throughout the territory during the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1821, Texas became part of the newly independent nation of Mexico.

American settlers began arriving in significant numbers during the 1820s under empresario grants, most notably those led by Stephen F. Austin. Tensions between the Mexican government and Anglo-American settlers escalated, leading to the Texas Revolution in 1835-1836. The conflict culminated in Texas declaring independence on March 2, 1836. The famous Battle of the Alamo occurred in February-March 1836, followed by the decisive Battle of San Jacinto in April, where Texan forces under Sam Houston defeated Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.

The Republic of Texas existed as an independent nation from 1836 to 1845. During this period, the republic maintained diplomatic relations with several nations and faced ongoing conflicts with Mexico, which never formally recognized Texan independence. The United States annexed Texas on December 29, 1845, making it the 28th state. This annexation contributed to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).

Texas seceded from the Union in 1861 to join the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. The state was readmitted to the Union in 1870 during Reconstruction.

Demographics

Texas is the second-most populous U.S. state with a population exceeding 31 million people as of 2025. The state has experienced rapid population growth over recent decades, driven by both domestic migration and international immigration. Major metropolitan areas include:

• Houston - the largest city with over 2.3 million residents
• San Antonio - known for its rich Spanish colonial heritage
• Dallas - a major economic and cultural center
• Austin - the state capital and a rapidly growing tech hub
• Fort Worth - traditionally associated with the cattle industry

Texas has a highly diverse population. According to recent census data, the state's racial and ethnic composition includes a large Hispanic and Latino population (approximately 40% of the total), a significant White non-Hispanic population (around 40%), African Americans (approximately 12%), and Asian Americans (around 5%). The state has no single ethnic majority, making it a majority-minority state.

Economy

Texas possesses one of the largest economies in the United States and would rank among the top ten global economies if it were an independent nation. The state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exceeds $2 trillion annually.

Historically, the energy sector has been central to the Texas economy. The state leads the nation in crude oil production and natural gas extraction. Major oil fields include the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, and Barnett Shale. Texas also leads in renewable energy production, particularly wind power, with extensive wind farms in West Texas and the Panhandle.

The technology sector has grown substantially, particularly in Austin, which has earned the nickname "Silicon Hills." Major technology companies, including Dell, Texas Instruments, and numerous software firms, maintain significant operations in the state. Dallas and Houston also host important tech industries.

Other major economic sectors include:

• Agriculture - cattle ranching, cotton production, and various crops
• Manufacturing - electronics, chemicals, machinery, and food processing
• Aerospace - NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and numerous aerospace manufacturers
• Healthcare - the Texas Medical Center in Houston is the world's largest medical complex
• Finance - Dallas and Houston serve as major financial centers

Texas has no state income tax, which has attracted businesses and residents from other states. The state relies on sales taxes, property taxes, and other revenue sources for government funding.

Government and Politics

Texas operates under its current constitution, adopted in 1876, which is one of the longest state constitutions in the United States. The government follows a structure similar to the federal system with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The Governor of Texas serves as the chief executive, elected to four-year terms with no term limits. The Texas Legislature is bicameral, consisting of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets in regular session biennially for 140 days.

Politically, Texas has historically shifted between different party alignments. During the Reconstruction era and into the early 20th century, the Democratic Party dominated state politics. Since the 1990s, the Republican Party has held most statewide offices and legislative majorities. However, demographic changes and urbanization have made the state's political landscape increasingly competitive.

Education

The state maintains numerous higher education institutions, including several major research universities. The University of Texas System and Texas A&M University System are the two largest public university systems. The University of Texas at Austin ranks among the nation's top public universities and conducts extensive research across multiple disciplines. Texas A&M University, located in College Station, is one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment.

Other notable institutions include Rice University in Houston (a private research university), Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and the University of Houston. The state also maintains an extensive community college system serving hundreds of thousands of students.

Culture and Sports

Texas culture reflects influences from its Southern, Southwestern, and Mexican heritage. Cowboy culture, rodeos, and country music remain important cultural elements. The state hosts major rodeo events, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which attracts over two million visitors annually.

Professional sports are highly popular in Texas. The state hosts teams in all major professional sports leagues. In the National Football League (NFL), Texas has the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and previously had other franchises. Major League Baseball includes the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. The National Basketball Association features the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. The state also has multiple teams in the National Hockey League and Major League Soccer.

College football holds particular significance in Texas culture, with intense rivalries and massive stadiums. The annual Red River Rivalry between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma is one of college football's most famous matchups.

Infrastructure and Transportation

Texas maintains an extensive transportation network. The state has over 313,000 miles of public roads, the most of any U.S. state. Major interstate highways include I-10, I-20, I-30, I-35, and I-45. Several of the nation's busiest highways traverse Texas, connecting major cities and facilitating commerce.

The state has numerous commercial airports, with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport serving as one of the world's busiest airports by aircraft movements. George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston also handles significant domestic and international traffic. Other major airports serve Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso.

Port infrastructure is crucial to the Texas economy. The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage and plays a vital role in petrochemical shipping. Other significant ports include those at Corpus Christi, Beaumont, and Port Arthur.

Notable Features and Landmarks

Texas contains numerous historical and natural landmarks. The Alamo in San Antonio remains the most visited tourist site in Texas and symbolizes the fight for Texas independence. Big Bend National Park in West Texas offers dramatic desert and mountain scenery along the Rio Grande. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects a diverse ecosystem and contains the state's highest peaks.

The Space Center Houston serves as the official visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center and educates millions about space exploration. The State Capitol building in Austin, completed in 1888, stands taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Major cities in Texas

• Houston
• San Antonio
• Dallas
• Fort Worth
• Austin
• El Paso
• Arlington
• Corpus Christi
• Plano
• Lubbock

• Laredo
• Irving
• Garland
• Frisco
• McKinney
• Grand Prairie
• Amarillo
• Brownsville
• Denton
• Killeen

• Mesquite
• Pasadena
• McAllen
• Waco
• Midland
• Lewisville
• Carrollton
• Round Rock
• Abilene
• Pearland

• College Station
• Odessa
• League City
• Richardson
• New Braunfels
• Conroe
• Allen
• Beaumont
• Tyler
• Sugar Land

Counties in Texas

There are 254 counties in the U.S. state of Texas, more than any other U.S. state.

List of counties in Texas

Texas County Map

Major Rivers in Texas

Major Lakes in Texas

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References

1. ^ QuickFacts Texas. U.S. Census Bureau.
2. ^ "American Values Atlas: Religious Tradition in Texas". Public Religion Research Institute.