Bordered to the north by Oklahoma, to the east by Louisiana and Arkansas, to the south by Mexico and the [Gulf of Mexico]?, and the west by New Mexico.
Texas (area 690,000 km2) is the second largest state in size after Alaska and has historically been portrayed through larger than life [Wild West]? cowboys? and oil wells.
Texas was largely rural before World War II with cattle and agriculture as its main industries.
After World War II, Texas has become increasingly industralized. Its economy (circa 2000) is largely based on information technology, with Dallas - [Fort Worth]? Metroplex being the largest IT labor market in the United States, oil and natural gas, energy exploration and energy trading, agriculture, and manufacturing.
It passed New York in the 1990s to become the second largest state in population after California largely due to the availability of jobs, low cost of living, high living standard, lack of a state income tax, low taxation of business, limited government (the state legislature of Texas meets only once every two years), warm weather, and friendly people.
It was the first state in the United States to be a sovereign nation before joining the United States. The other was the kingdom of Hawaii.
Austin is the state capital.
Austin, Dallas, [Fort Worth]?, Houston, and [San Antonio]? are its largest cities. Other important cities include [El Paso]?, [Eagle Pass]?, and Laredo?; these are very important because of their location at the borderline with Mexico, making them important trade points.
Texas has a large immigrant population of mainly Spanish speaking people from Mexico, Central America, and South America. Texas has been largely fortunate in avoiding the racial problems found in many southern states and large cities of the northeast.
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