Texas
"Friendship"
Nickname
Lone Star State
Capital
Austin
Statehood
December 29, 1845 (28th)
Motto
Friendship
Explore Texas
18 of 18 articles available
Top mountains
Signature peaks and elevation highlights.
Best hikes
Trail ideas from day hikes to overnighters.
State parks
Must-see parks and natural areas.
Road trip loops
Weekend-friendly scenic drives.
Waterfronts
Lakes, rivers, and coastal stops to visit.
Waterfalls & springs
Cool-down spots and photogenic falls.
Scenic overlooks
Pull-offs and vistas for quick views.
Camping spots
Easy campgrounds and dispersed sites.
Historic towns
Main streets, museums, and landmarks.
Family weekends
Low-stress itineraries with kids in mind.
Top universities
Best-known universities and colleges.
Top biggest cities
Largest metros and fast-growing hubs.
Top places to visit
Must-see destinations and attractions.
Top high schools
High-performing public and private schools.
Top cities
Beloved cities for living and visiting.
Basic information
Quick facts, nickname, capital, and region.
Geography
Landscapes, neighbors, and natural regions.
Economy
Key industries, employers, and growth drivers.
About Texas
Texas is large enough that El Paso sits closer to San Diego than to Houston, a scale that makes generalizing about "Texas" almost meaningless without specifying which region — Gulf Coast, Hill Country, Panhandle plains, or West Texas desert. The state functioned as an independent republic for nearly a decade before joining the Union.
The guides below are built around that regional range, covering Texas's major cities, its energy economy, and the genuinely different landscapes that make up the second-largest state in the country.