The Lone Star state is home to some of the most famous birding sites in the country. Several of the over 89 state parks in the state offer some of the best bird-watching experiences because of the thriving biodiversity of Texas, its climate, and geography, which has situated Texas as one of the richest terrestrial birding in the United States.

Despite much progress in water conservation we still waste far too much water.

From the Gulf Coastal Plains to the mountains of West Texas, learn about the wide range of landscape found in Texas.

Texas sells a variety of hunting and fishing licenses through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWPD).

Transportation was a major problem facing early settlers in Texas but as early as 1879, railroad mileage in Texas reached 2,440 miles and only continued to be expanded. Today, Texas has more railroad mileage than any other state and the largest number of railroad employees.

Mesquite has had an important role in Texas history. Mesquite grows at least one-third of the land area of the state and in all regions except the East Texas Piney Woods.

Texas natural resources are abundant and the rich biodiversity of the state thrives across its many geographic environment that include millions of acress of forestland.

Notable earthquakes shake Texas on ocassion. The largest known earthquake in Texas occurred on Aug. 16, 1931, near the town of Valentine in Jeff Davis County. The total felt area exceeded one million square kilometers (about 400,000 square miles).

The leading nonpetroleum mineral commodities produced in Texas include portland cement, crushed stone, contruction sand and gravel, salt, industrial sand and gravel, lime, and masonry cement.These make up more that 95 percent of the state's nonfuel mineral value.

Seven engineering projects in Texas have been designated National Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks by the American Society of Civil Engineers, as of mid-summer 1997.

From the Gulf to Lone Star Rivers and Lakes, Texas Is Teeming with Fishing Hot Spots

Once dominated by the Missions, Texas ranching shaped Texas, its history and environment.

The eight most notable Texas Ranches have played important roles in Texas History.

Many different locations have served as capitals of Texas.

The annexation of Texas precipitated the Mexican War. As thousands of troops were stationed across Texas, new forts were erected and many of the older ones were abandoned or consolidated with the newer ones.

County Description Sources

Dinosaurs disappeared about 65 million years ago after a meteorite hit earth. One of the sites where debris of this event has been found is along the Brazos River in Falls County.

Texas early European exploration and development set the stage for the Texas of today.

Annexation brough Texas into the Union as the 28th state.

European exploration of North America and what is now Texas began in the 15th century.

The ancient history of Texas dates from around 225 million BCE. Pre-Columbian history, 1400 A.D.

The Timeline of Texas History spans diverse people, nations, experiences, and geographies dating back from pre-Columbian era to the present.

Texas has a natural environment best described as "varied."

A profile of the Lone Star State through fascinating facts.

Texas has many secondary streams of various sizes and rich biodiversity.

There are many natural lakes in Texas. The largest designated natural lake touching the border of Texas is Sabine Lake.

Texas has 5,607 square miles of inland water, ranking it first in the 48 contiguous states.

There are 11,247 named Texas streams identified in the U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System. Their combined length is about 80,000 miles, and they drain 263,513 square miles within Texas.

About 60 percent of the approximately 16 million acre-feet of water used yearly in Texas is derived from underground formations that make up 9 major and 22 minor aquifers. Groundwater also supplies about 35 percent of the municipal needs of the state.

One of the most important natural resources in Texas is its soil. More than 1,300 different kinds of soil are recognized in Texas. Each has a specific set of properties that affect its use.

The physiographic variety in Texas is controlled by the varied rocks and structures that underlie and crop out across the state. The fascinating geologic history of Texas is recorded in the rocks.