Population (2000 Census) 20,851,820. Land area in Square Miles: 261,797 -- mostly wide open spaces, except for a whole bunch of small towns with names like "Gun Barrel City" and a few big cities scattered over the state. There's lots of sunshine and fresh air in the Lone Star State; with the exception of West Texas, where there's lots of sunshine, sand and dust in the air -- where the wind blows, the cotton grows and the oil flows! Texans are a special breed -- they don't say much, but if something needs saying, it'll get said in a manner you'll understand. They talk kind of slow, and with a drawl found only within the boundaries of the great state of Texas. Texans are very friendly, and will go out of their way to help you in any way they can. If you're driving behind them on a long stretch of road, they'll pull over on the shoulder to let you pass -- this may or may not hold true when driving weekdays on LBJ Freeway in Dallas at 5:00 PM! Persons per Square Mile: 79.6 (Note: this number diminishes greatly in many of the western and southwestern counties of the state. Some towns in Texas have less population than 79! State Bird: Mockingbird State Capital: Austin State Dish: Chili State Fiber and Fabric: Cotton State Fish: Guadalupe Bass State Flower: Bluebonnet State Folk Dance: Square Dance State Fruit: Texas Red Grapefruit State Gem: Texas Blue Topaz State Gemstone Cut: Lone Star Cut State Grass: Sideoats Grama State Insect: Monarch Butterfly State Flying Mammal: Mexican Free-Tailed Bat State Large Mammal: Longhorn State Small Mammal: Armadillo State Motto: Friendship State Musical Instrument: Guitar State Native Pepper: Chiltepin State Pepper: Jalapeno State Plant: Prickly Pear Cactus State Reptile: Horned Lizard State Shell: Lightning Whelk State Ship: U.S.S. Texas State Shrub: Crape Myrtle State Sport: Rodeo State Stone: Petrified Palmwood State Tree: Pecan State Vegetable: Sweet Onion State Song: "Texas, Our Texas" Texas, Our Texas! So wonderful, so great! Boldest and grandest, withstanding ev'ry test. O Empire wide and glorious, you stand supremely blest. (chorus) Texas, O Texas! Your freeborn single star, sends out its radiance to nations near and far. Emblem of Freedom! It set our hearts aglow, with thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious Alamo. (chorus) Texas, dear Texas! From tyrant grip now free, shines forth in splendor, your star of destiny! Mother of heroes, we come your children true; proclaiming our allegiance, our faith, our love for you. Chorus God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong; that you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long. God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong; that you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long. Just about every home in Texas has one or more firearms; and an impressive number of Texas citizens have permits to carry concealed weapons. Of this group, both men and women are legally armed and know well how to use their weapons for their own and others' protection. Of course, local and state police still remain first and foremost in the protection of its citizens. Here's something all Texans should know, especially since this has received very little publicity -- your Texas Driver's License has a phone number on the back, above the bar code: "TEXAS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 1-800-525-5555". It's in VERY SMALL print, but it is there. This number can be called for emergency assistance on the highway, or wherever you might have trouble while in your car. A service truck will be sent to you. This service is state operated, and paid for with your tax dollars. If you are ever stranded, just call the number on your driver's license...help is on the way. A state trooper will be sent to make sure all is well. This bit of information is worth passing on to every Texan you know! |