Texas+Facts

Capital City: Austin

Statehood: December 29, 1845 (28th)

Population: 20,044,141

Governor: Rick Perry

Nickname: Lone Star State

Motto: Friendship

Origin of State Name: Based on a word used by Caddo Indians meaning "friends"

Counties: 254

Largest Cities: Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso, Austin

Border States: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma

Land Area: 262,015 sq. mi.; 2nd largest

Highest Point: Guadalupe Peak, 8,749 ft

Lowest Point: Gulf of Mexico, sea level

State Bird: Mockingbird

State Flower: Bluebonnet

State Tree: Pecan tree

State Song: Texas, Our Texas

Port Of Houston: Busiest Port in the U.S in foreign tonnage