Presidents
Travel & Tourism
State Symbols
Culture
Agriculture
Parks & Rec
State Symbols
Texas Longhorn
The Texas Longhorn is the official large state mammal of Texas.
The Texas Longhorn became Texas’ official large state mammal on June 16, 1995.
Texas Longhorns thrive in a wide range of climates –from hot, damp coastal region to harsh, freezing winters.
On average, an adult Texas Longhorn weighs between 1,200 & 1,500 pounds.
Texas Longhorns are known for their gentle temperament.
Unlike other cattle, Texas Longhorns can survive DAYS without water.
Texas Longhorn’s are very intelligent & easy to train.
Their horns can extend over 8 feet from tip to tip!
8 feet
They eat a much wider range of grasses than other cattle.
Northern Mockingbird STATE BIRD
The Northern Mockingbird is
The Northern Mockingbird became Texas’ official state bird in
5 states have the Northern Mockingbird as their state bird.
The Northern Mockingbird can be found every part of Texas during Northern Mockingbirds many sounds including chirps & songs of bird species. These birds are known for being territorial.
laid in spring
Northern Mockingbirds . songbird .
Northern Mockingbirds eat mostly berries, small insects & seeds. Their scientific name is Mimus polyglottos.
STATE FLOWER
Bluebonnets
Bluebonnets are the official state flower of Texas.
These flowers prefer to grow in FULL sun.
Bluebonnets became the official state flower of Texas in 1901.
Bluebonnets have several nicknamesone of them being “buffalo clover.”
Bluebonnets begin to bloom in March and then reach full
Most bluebonnets are blue & white
The 2 main species of bluebonnets are ONLY grown in TX. their highways.
Bluebonnets grow to be 1 - 2 feet tall.
Monarch Butterfly STATE INSECT
The Monarch Butterfly is the official state insect of Texas.
The lifecycle of a butterfly: (caterpillar) à pupa
The Monarch Butterfly was adopted as June 16, 1995. & monarch caterpillars
STATE SMALL MAMMAL
Nine-Banded Armadillo
Banded Armadillo is the state small mammal of Texas.
banded armadillo became Texas’ official state small mammal in 1995.
Armadillos can hold their breath for
Armadillos have bony shells that provide protection from predators. eating both insects & plants.
Armadillos prefer warm & wet climates.
Nine-banded armadillos are the ONLY species of armadillo found in the U.S.
STATE DOG BREED
The Blue Lacy is the official state dog breed of Texas
The Blue Lacy became the official dog breed of Texas on June 18, 2005
Blue Lacys are born with eyes, but as they get older, their eye color changes to an
Blue Lacys are a medium sized breed, typically weighing between 25 & 55 pounds.
Blue Lacys have a natural herding instinct that allows them to work with everything from chickens to the Texas Longhorn cattle. known to be very intelligent & easy to train.
Blue Lacys are the ONLY dog breed that originated in Texas.
Blue Lacys are known for their sleek & smooth coat.
Guadalupe Bass STATE FISH
The Guadalupe Bass is the official
The Guadalupe Bass became Texas’ official state fish in
crayfish
Guadalupe bass are known for being aggressive. The average Guadalupe bass is 12 inches long & weighs 1 to 3 pounds.
Guadalupe bass are a popular fish among sport fisherman.
Guadalupe bass can be found in the Texas Hill Country streams & rivers.
Guadalupe bass are an endemic species meaning they are found nowhere else in the world but Texas.
Horned Lizard STATE REPTILE
The Horned Lizard became Texas’ official state reptile on June 16, 1993
Horned lizards are cold blooded, so they rely on the sun to keep them warm!
During the cooler months, horned lizards hibernate in burrows to stay warm.
The Horned Lizard is the official state reptile of Texas. Horned lizards are known for the two prominent horns on their heads.
Horned lizards' spiky scales provide them protection from predators.
Horned lizards are active during the day & sleep at night.
Horned lizards are also known as horned frogs.
Horned lizards mainly eat harvester ants
Big Cities
Dallas BIG CITY
Dallas is the 3rd largest city in Texas with a population over 1.2 million people.
The Dallas Public Library has an original copy of the Declaration of Independence.
The Texas State Fair is held annually in Dallas - the largest state fair in the U.S. over 11,000 restaurants
The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is one of the
San Antonio is home to the Alamo. The Alamo is the #1 attraction in Texas.
San Antonio BIG CITY
San Antonio is the 2nd largest city in Texas with a population over 1.4 million people.
San Antonio is the MOST visited city in Texas.
San Antonio is home to the World’s LARGEST Cowboy Boots.
35’ tall.
34+ million visit San Antonio each year. starts in a cluster of springs in San Antonio.
Houston BIG CITY
Houston is the LARGEST city in Texas with a population of around 2.3 million people.
The Texas Medical Center, located in Houston is the largest medical center in the world.
Nicknamed “The Space City” – home to NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
The largest rodeo in
Houston was established as a city on June 5, 1837. are spoken in Houston.
Houston is the 2nd fastest growing city in the U.S.
El Paso BIG CITY
The Rio Grande River forms the natural border between El Paso and Mexico.
El Paso is the 6th largest city in Texas with a population over 700,000 people.
El Paso is commonly known for their delicious Tex-Mex cuisine
“The Boot Capital of the World”
The of Texas is the Mountains
El Paso is nicknamed “The Sun City” because it experiences 300+ days of sunshine every year!
El Paso is famous for its making industry.
Fort Worth BIG CITY
Over 24 world class museums.
Home to one of the busiest airports in
Fort Worth is the 5th largest city in Texas with a population over 900,000 people.
Fort Worth has historically been the center for Texas Longhorn cattle trade.
Fort Worth has a few nicknames, one of them being “Cowtown.”
Fort Worth was established in 1849 as an army post.
Approximately 60% of U.S. paper money is printed in Fort Worth.
The city changed its name from Waterloo to Austin in 1839 in honor of Stephen F. Austin, who is known as the “Father of Texas. ”
Austin BIG CITY
Austin is the with a population over Austin is the capital city to the largest state capitol building
“Live Music Capital of the World”
Austin, Texas is located on the Colorado River.
Austin is home to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library & Museum.
Arlington BIG CITY
48th largest city in the U.S.
Arlington is the 7th largest city in Texas with a population of almost 400,000 people.
Ballpark nachos were
Arlington is most known for their sports, recreation & Arlington is home to many of professional sports teams' stadiums.
Arlington is located in between Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas.
Arlington became incorporated as a city in TX in 1884.
There are 15 cities in the U.S. with the name ArlingtonArlington, Texas is the LARGEST of them all.
Plano BIG CITY
Plano is the 9th largest city in Texas with a population over 288,000 people.
Referring to the city’s terrain, Plano means to “flat” in Spanish.
Plano is often referred to as Suburb with Style ”
Plano was officially
There are over 85 parks & green spaces in Plano.
The historic, Texas-shaped swimming pool - The Texas Pool is located in Plano, TX.
Laredo BIG CITY
Laredo is the 11th largest city in Texas with a population over 266,000 people
Laredo was established in 1755 but officially became a part of Texas in 1846 . celebrates President George Washington’s birthday throughout the entire month of February.
Laredo was an army camp during World War I.
Laredo is one of the oldest crossing points between
Laredo hosts
Jalapeño Festival
Corpus Christi BIG CITY
Corpus Christi is the 8th largest city in Texas with a population over 300,000 people
The Texas Aquariumone of the LARGEST aquariums in the U.S. is located in Corpus Christi.
Home to the USS Lexington.
Corpus Christi is a coastal known for its beaches
Over 5 million visitors largest cattle & horse ranches in the world.
Corpus Christi is known for their wide variety of seafood.
200+ species of birds migrate through Corpus Christi during the spring.
Small Towns
Santa Fe SMALL TOWN
Santa Fe is a small town in Texas with a population of just over 12,000 people.
Santa Fe, Texas was named after the Santa Fe Railroad that runs through the town.
Only 35 miles from Houston.
In 1978 , two small towns, Arcadia & Alta Lomar merged to establish Santa Fe.
The Santa Fe Railroad was built in 1877.
Santa Fe is surrounded by dairy farms.
Santa Fe is known for it’s tight-knit community.
most popular cycling races in Texas takes
1,000+ participants.
Paris SMALL TOWN
Paris is a small town in Texas with a population of just over 24,000 people.
Paris, TX is most famous for their 65-foot Eiffel Tower replica with a red cowboy hat.
Located in Lamar County
“The Second Largest Paris in the World”
Paris has a historic downtown square full of unique shops and restaurants.
A hot air balloon festival is hosted every year in Paris.
Fredericksburg SMALL TOWN
Rock is one of the town’s most visited locations.
Home to the Texas German dialect.
“ Fritztown ”
Fredericksburg is a small town in Texas with a population of around 11,500 people.
Fredericksburg is home to the wildflower farm in the U.S.
Fredericksburg ISD has 6 schools & 3,094 students.
Founded in 1846.
The street signs leading along Main Street in Fredericksburg spell out ALL WELCOME & COME BACK.
Located in a region known as Texas Hill Country.
& Texas Central RailroadsCornelius Ennis.
Ennis SMALL TOWN
Ennis is a small town population of around
In 1997, Ennis was designated as the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas
Ennis hosts an annual Texas Bluebonnet festival during the month of April
Bardwell Lake is known for having excellent fishing opportunities.
Ennis ISD has 11 schools & around 6,000 students.
Terlingua SMALL TOWN
Terlingua
small town in Texas with a population of less than 200
Terlingua started as a in the early 1900s is often referred to as the Terlingua Ghost Town. in Terlingua quickly ran dry and eventually closed in the 1940s.
CSD has 1 school & around 111 students. Terlingua translates in Spanish to “three tongues.”
Terlingua hosted the first famous championship chili cook off in 1967 that is still hosted annually & brings in over 10,000 people.
CSD
Tourist Attractions
Johnson Space Center
The Johnson Space Center controls space shuttle missions & trains astronauts. NASA’s Johnson Space Center was established on November 1, 1961
The JSC’s original name was the Manned Space Center - later remanded to honor President & Texas native, Lyndon B. Johnson
The JSC controlled Project Apollo
The Johnson Space Center is located in Houston, TX.
The Alamo
The Alamo is a historic fort in San Antonio, TX known for The Battle of the Alamo.
The Battle of the Alamo was fought between the Republic of Texas and Mexico in 1836.
The Alamo is the #1 attraction in all of Texas with over 2.5 MILLION visitors/year.
The Alamo is National Historic Landmark.
The Alamo was originally built in the 1700s as a home to
“Remember the Alamo” The building is primarily made of limestone. The Alamo is located in downtown San Antonio.
The Alamo covers around 3 acres
Dallas Zoo
“Creating
The 106-acre Dallas Zoo founded in 1888 is the largest & oldest zoo in Texas.
a Better World for Animals.”
There are over 350 employees & over 750 volunteers who work at the Dallas Zoo.
The Dallas Zoo’s mission is engaging people & saving wildlife.
The Dallas Zoo welcomes over one million guests every year.
Open 364 days a year!
Epic Waters
Epic Waters is the largest indoor waterpark in North Texas.
Epic Waters has 12 waterslides river, a surfing simulator
Epic Waters lazy river is 650 feet long!
Epic Waters is open all year-round!
“A crashing wave of !” fun
Epic Waters has a retractable roof that comes off during the summer months.
Epic Waters is located in Grand Prairie, TX
Epic Waters requires the use of over 500,000 gallons of water.
San Antonio River Walk
The San Antonio River Walk is a famous walking path along the San Antonio River.
The San Antonio River Walk is lined with restaurants, shops & many other attractions.
Robert H. H. Hugman is credited for the vision for the San Antonio River Walk is 15 miles long! Over 11.5 MILLION people visit the San Antonio River Walk each year.
The San Antonio River was originally Place of Restful Waters
Fort Worth Stockyards
The Fort Worth Stockyards is a historic district that celebrates the Old West.
The Fort Worth Stockyards is the world’s ONLY twice daily longhorn cattle drive. cattle drive is the process of moving cattle from one location to The Fort Worth Stockyards host live rodeo shows year-round.
The Fort Worth Stockyards were designated as a National Historic District in 1976.
cattle drives occur at 11:30 am & 4:00 pm.
Agriculture
Grapefruit
The red grapefruit is the official state fruit of Texas
make up 70% of Texas’ citrus production.
Texas is home to around 19,000 acres of grapefruit groves.
Most of the grapefruits grown in Texas are grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
Grapefruit trees take 6-13 months to produce fruit.
The Rio Star Ruby Sweet varieties of grapefruit are ONLY grown in Texas. Grapefruit trees can grow to be 45 tall.
Texas harvests around 90,000 TONS of grapefruits each year.
Jalapeños
The jalapeño pepper is the official state pepper of Texas.
Jalapeño peppers are grown on over 12,000 acres of land across Texas.
Texas is the 3rd
The heat of peppers are measured on a Scoville scale.
Jalapeños are usually around 2,000 - 8,000 Scoville heat units – making them a relatively mild pepper.
Capsaicin is the compound in peppers that make them spicy.
The longer a jalapeño matures, spicier it gets.
Jalapeños have been to space! The Columbia Space Shuttle took them on their trip in 1982!
Texas produces more than BILLION pounds of milk per year.
Texas is the 5th largest milk producing state in the U.S.
70% of Texas dairy farms in are located in the panhandle. The average dairy cow produces 7 gallons of milk per day.
Milk is the source of ALL
of Dairy Cows: 5
1. Holstein
2. Jersey
3. Guernsey
4. Ayrshire
5. Brown Swiss
Holstein cows are the black & white cows with unique spots!
Milk is 85 to 95% water.
Texas is home to 635,000 dairy cows & 351 dairies.
Cows can SEE almost 360 degrees and SMELL up to 6 miles away!
Parks & Natural Wonders
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park was established as America’s 27th national park in 1944
118 miles of Big Bend National Park runs along the border of the U.S. & Mexico
The Rio Grande River runs through Big Bend National Park.
The Chisos Mountains are located in Big Bend National Park - the only mountain range contained entirely within a national park.
Big Bend National Park welcomes around 300,000 visitors per year.
90+ dinosaur species have been discovered within the park.
Palo Duro Canyon
Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States.
Palo Duro Canyon is about 120 miles long, 20 miles wide and up to 800 feet deep. A canyon Hoodoos are tall, thin spires of rock formed by erosion.
Palo Duro Canyon opened as a state park in 1 9 3 4
Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. horseback riding, camping.
Rio Grande River
The Rio Grande River is one of the longest rivers in the U.S. - almost 1,900 miles
Grande River flows through Texas’ Big Bend
National Park.
The Rio Grande River creates a border between the U.S. (Texas) & Mexico.
“Río Grande del Norte”
The Rio Grande has long been used to support agriculture.
The river starts out as a small stream in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and flows all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Caddo Lake
STATE PARK
Depending on rainfall, Caddo Lake spans 26,000 acres, with its depth ranging from 8 - 20 feet.
Caddo Lake State Park contains the largest naturally formed lake in TX – Caddo Lake!
Caddo Lake was formed by a huge log jam on Red River known as “
Lake State
National Seashore PADRE ISLAND
Padre Island National Seashore is the longest National Park seashore in the U.S.
Padre Island is Seashore makes up
500,000 people visit Padre
Kemp’s ridley the most
Padre Island National Seashore was established on Sept. 28, 1962
Padre Island National Seashore is known for its “Little Shell” & “Big Shell
Dinosaur Valley
STATE PARK
Dinosaur Valley State Park is home
Dinosaur Valley State Park is located along the Paluxy River. Some of the dinosaur footprints found at Dinosaur Valley State Valley State Park was established in 1972 to preserve the dinosaur footprints.
The dinosaur footprints located in Dinosaur Valley State Park were discovered in 1909 .
Culture
Cattle Industry
Texas’ cattle industry (mainly for beef) industry in the state.
The cattle industry involves the production & more.
Beef cattle is the LARGEST sector of Texas Texas dairies provide over 15 BILLION gallons of milk each year. is a big part of Texas’ economy AND culture.
Texas is home to the greatest number of cattle & 13+ MILLION.
TX cattle represents over 13% of all cattle in the U.S.
Rodeos
Rodeos are sporting events that test the speed & skills of cowboys/girls.
Rodeos events involve livestock.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest rodeo event in the world.
Texas’ first official Mesquite, TX “Rodeo Capital of Texas
Rodeo is the official sport of Texas.
The
Rodeo Events:
Saddle Bronc
Bareback
Bull Riding
Steer Wrestling
Tie Down Roping
Team Roping
Barrel Racing
Breakaway Roping
