last edited Dec 11, 2019
Introduction to Texas
Location Map of Texas
Texas
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Overview
The second-largest state in the Union (after Alaska) and also the second-most populous (after California), Texas is also the only one to have been an independent republic for a time. Culturally and touristically, it sits at the crossroads of the South, Mexico, and the American West, giving the "Lone Star State", as it calls itself, a unique and distinctive character.
Key Facts
- Type of place: state.
- Location: Bordering Mexico, with a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico.
- Code: TX
- Entry into the Union: 1845 (28th).
- Local time: . Texas is on "Central Time," except for a very small western part, the El Paso region, which is on "Mountain Time."
- Capital: Austin.
- Major cities: Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio...
- Population: 27,469,000 inhabitants (2015).
- Area: 696,241 km².
- Density: 29.5 inhabitants/km².
- Highest point: Guadalupe Peak (2,667 m).
- Lowest point: Sea level.
- Coastline:
Tourism
While Texas isn’t a top destination for Europeans in the U.S., tourism still plays a major role in its economy. Revenues reach tens of billions of dollars, just below those of the oil industry, one of the state’s economic cornerstones.
Still, Texas remains primarily an "American-American" destination, with about 90% of visitors coming from other U.S. states, far ahead of neighboring Mexico. Among other tourists, Canadians, Britons, Germans, French (around 60,000 per year), and Japanese are the most represented. However, as is often the case, many visitors are simply in transit through major airports like Houston or Dallas, so the actual number of foreign tourists in the state should be taken with a grain of salt.
Travel Essentials
- By plane: France-Houston round trip for 690 to 1,000 €.
- Backpacker daily budget: $70 to $100 per person (for two).
- Best for accommodation: Motels and/or campgrounds.
- Best way to get around: Car.
- Risks: Very low for health; low to locally moderate for safety.
- Best time for weather/crowds/prices: April to early June and late September to early November.
- Interests (out of ): Nature ; Adventure / ; Culture / ; Relaxation/Holidays
- Website: https://www.traveltexas.com/fr