Texas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. It borders New Mexico to the west, Oklahoma to the north, Louisiana and Arkansas to the east, and Mexico to the south. Texas was colonized by the Spaniards, having belonged to Mexico after its independence in 1821. The intense migration of Americans to the region sparked a wave of pro-recession movements, which resulted in the creation of an independent republic from Mexico in 1836. Nine years later, the region was incorporated into US territory.
The state has always been marked by the contrast between the northern region, favored by the climate and the water resources, which made the development of agriculture viable, and by the southern, arid and desert. It was in these regions of difficult agricultural development that cowboys emerged, men who took care of the cattle and defended the land against indigenous attacks. Cowboys have become one of Texas' greatest symbols.
Of all the continental states, Texas is the largest of them, with an area of 696 241 km². It is also the second most populous, only behind California. Texas' climate varies by region. In the extreme south of the state, for example, the climate is tropical; the northern region of it has a temperate climate and milder temperatures.
Texas has the third largest economy in the United States; only California and New York have a higher GDP. The state's economy is quite diversified, with emphasis on the oil and aerospace, something very different from what was seen in the beginning of the 20th century, where the agricultural activity was predominant.
The main cities in Texas are Houston, Dallas and Austin, the state capital.