Texas Almanac: State Facts and Figures

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Texas Almanac

Official Name

Texas

Capital

Austin

Nick Name

Lone Star State

Motto

Friendship

Location & Region

30.30588 N, 097.75052 W

Texas

Constitution Ratified

1876

Statehood

December 29, 1845

28th state

Population

20,851,820

79.61 sq mi.

2nd

Largest City
(by population)

Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso

Bordering States

Arkansas - Louisiana - New Mexico - Oklahoma Coastline: 367 mi.

Number of Counties

254 Counties in Texas

Largest County
(by population)

Harris County

3,400,578

1,729 sq mi.

Time Zone

Central Standard Time

Texas Climate and Weather

The climate in Texas varies from hot and humid along the Gulf Coast to cool and dry in the upper reaches of the Guadalupe Mountains. The climate is warmer than in most parts of the U.S.: Temperatures usually run in the mid to upper 90s F/35-36 C during July and August (with readings above 100 F/37 C occurring quite frequently). In addition to the heat, the eastern third of the state is quite humid (conditions get drier as you move west). Summer visitors should be prepared to pace themselves. Wear light, loose clothing and a hat -- the Texas sun is quite intense. Air-conditioning is nearly universal (especially in automobiles -- be sure yours has it), so relief is not hard to find. Even though nighttime lows in most places are in the low 70s F/21-23 C, you may want a sweater for the times when the air-conditioning is turned too low (Texans seem to love it that way) or when you're visiting the far north or mountains. Spring and summer can bring intense, heavy rains and occasional tornadoes. Hurricanes are possible in August and September. In the dry western part of the state, dust storms can occur in March and April.

Winter in Texas is more varied in temperature across the state than summer. Panhandle winters often dip well below freezing (occasionally even below 0 F/-18 C). Snow (or ice) is possible anywhere in north Texas, but rarely does it get heavy or last long. In south Texas, winters are usually quite pleasant, although they can range from freezing to a balmy 70 F/21 C.

Expect temperatures in the spring to range 56-79 F/12-25 C (cooler in the north and in the mountains, warmer on the coast and in the south).

Highest Temperature

120 degrees
August 12, 1936 - Seymour

Lowest Temperature

-23 degrees
February 8, 1933 - Seminole

Avg Temp: High - Low

98.5 degrees

21.7 degrees

Texas Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)

Mean Elevation

1,700

Highest Point

Guadalupe Peak

8,749

Lowest Point

Gulf of Mexico

Sea level

Texas Land Area (Square Miles)

Geographic Center

Total Area

268,580.82

2nd

Land Area¹

261,797.12

97.48%

Water Area²

6,783.70

2.52%

Forested Land Area³

51.6%

Dimensions
(Length - Width)

790 miles

660 miles

Source: (U.S. Census, April 1, 2000)
1. Dry land and land temporarily or partially covered by water, such as marshland, swamps, etc.; streams and canals under one-eighth statute mile wide; and lakes, reservoirs, and ponds under 40 acres.
2. Permanent inland water surface, such as lakes, reservoirs, and ponds having an area of 40 acres or more; streams, sloughs, estuaries, and canals one-eighth statute mile or more in width; deeply indented embayments and sounds, and other coastal waters behind or sheltered by headlands or islands separated by less than 1 nautical mile of water, and islands under 40 acres in area. Excludes areas of oceans, bays, sounds, etc. lying within U.S. jurisdiction but not defined as inland water.
3. 1997

Almanac Provided by SHG Resources