Texas at a Glance:
Texas is famous for its size. They drive big cars. They wear big hats. They have large appetites. Even TX schools are large. Colleges and universities in TX often have huge classes. It's not uncommon to join certification and training programs situated on sprawling campuses with top-notch facilities. Whether you want to study biomedical engineering or classical music, you can be sure to find a degree program in Texas that will exceed your expectations.
And this is to say nothing of the sports programs at TX schools. They love football; perhaps more than any other state in America. Colleges in Texas have a reputation for overly enthusiastic fans. Regardless of which certification and training programs you are considering, expect sports to be a part of your college days; if not as an athlete, certainly as a spectator. Simply put, universities in the Lone Star State will offer you an interdisciplinary, well rounded, and extremely enjoyable collegiate experience.
Texas is the only state that was a Republic before joining the Union. It is the second largest state in land mass with approximately 265,000 square miles of territory and 625 miles of shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico. With close to 20,000,000 people, Texas is the third most populated state; however its population density is only 76 people per square mile.
Texas owes its name to the Caddo tribe and the Spaniards. During the Spanish exploration of Texas in the 1540s, the Spaniards met the Hasnai Caddo tribe in present-day East Texas. Native Americans used the word "tayshas" for "friends" or "allies." In Spanish the translation came out as "tejas," which eventually became "Texas."
Texas is also known as the Lone Star State, in reference to the state flag. The flag displays a single, five-point white star on a field of blue with an upper white horizontal stripe and a lower red horizontal stripe. Texas declared independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836, to become the Republic of Texas. Texas was admitted to the Union on December 29, 1845, as the 28th state.
The 2000 Census indicates that 82.5 percent of Texas' population lives in metropolitan areas. Growth has occurred primarily in the large metropolitan areas of Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Other areas with significant growth are metros located along the Mexico border, such as McAllen, Brownsville, and Laredo.
According to the latest data available from the U.S. Census of the Bureau, Texas led the nation in number of employees, value of shipments, and capital investments in the chemical industry in 2001. Similarly, the Lone Star State held second place in the computer and electronics industry in these same categories. Led by investment in the pharmaceutical, aerospace, and plastics and rubber industries, total capital expenditures increased 21% from $8.9 billion in 1990 to $11.25 billion in 2001.
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