Texas

Lore & Background

Spain was the first European country to claim and control Texas. After a brief period of French colonization, the territory became part of Mexico following its independence from Spain in 1821. Tensions between settlers and the Mexican government led to the Texas Revolution, including the Battle of the Alamo, and the establishment of the independent Republic of Texas in 1836. Texas joined the United States as the 28th state in 1845, contributing to the Mexican–American War in 1846. It seceded from the Union in 1861 during the American Civil War and joined the Confederate States, later entering a prolonged period of economic stagnation after the war.

Reader's Guide

Texas's economy before World War II was shaped by bison, cattle, cotton, oil, and timber. The cattle industry created the traditional image of the Texas cowboy, while later cotton and lumber grew as major industries. The discovery of major petroleum deposits, particularly Spindletop, initiated an economic boom that drove the economy for much of the 20th century. Texas developed a diversified economy and high tech industry during the mid-20th century. As of 2024, it has the second-highest number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the United States (52) and leads in industries including tourism, agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, computers and electronics, aerospace, and biomedical sciences. Texas has led the U.S. in state export revenue since 2002 and has the second-highest gross state product, consistently ranking highly for business growth, job creation, and economic opportunity with low taxes and a regulatory environment that encourages innovation.

Did You Know?

• The name Texas comes from the Caddo word táy:shaʼ meaning 'friend'.
• Texas was known as Nuevas Filipinas ('New Philippines') during Spanish colonial rule in the 18th century.
• The English pronunciation of Texas with /ks/ is unetymological, contrary to the historical value of the letter x (/ʃ/) in Spanish orthography.
• Texas has a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico and borders the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas along the Rio Grande, as well as Chihuahua along a land border.