Life in Texas

That's been the slogan of the Texas tourism agency for more than 20 years now. And it must be working, as the Lone Star State is one of the hottest tourism destinations in the U.S.

Texans of course are known for being fiercely proud of their state, and as such, we are given to grandiose boasts, such as saying that Texas is, well, like a whole other country. After all, it's huge in square miles (second only to Alaska), has three of the nation's 10 largest cities (Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas), and is known for its diverse regions and peoples.

OK, sure, Texas is big and all that, the skeptic may say. But c'mon, what makes it like a whole other country?

Well, for one thing, early in its history, Texas was a whole other country. In the early 19th century, Texas was a part of Mexico until war broke out in 1836. You may have heard about that little incident that year at the Alamo, where 180 Texans led by William B. Travis and Davy Crockett stood against the Mexican army until they were eventually overrun and killed.

"Remember the Alamo!" became the rallying cry for Texans, under the command of General Sam Houston, who defeated the Mexican forces of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana. After defeating Mexico and gaining independence in 1836, Texas became an independent republic, and remained so until its admission as to the United States as the 23rd state in 1845.

Texas was an independent republic for less than 10 years, but that history to this day shapes and informs many celebrations in the state. Texas still celebrates its independence day every year on March 2. In 1936, the state held its centennial celebration, and in 1986, marked its 150th birthday.

Texas is, of course, a big state, stretching hundreds of miles from east to west. And there's a whole lot of diversity in between. You can experience sunny beaches in Corpus Christi and South Padre Island, or the Hispanic heritage of San Antonio and the south Texas Rio Grande Valley. There's the urban sophistication of Houston and Dallas, and the hip funkiness of Austin, well known for a vibrant music scene (I mean, really, how do you not love a state that gave you Bob Wills, Buddy Holly, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the Butthole Surfers?).

Of course, many people associate Texas with cowboys and the Wild West. Visitors can experience that in the northwest Texas Panhandle or in Fort Worth, a city just west of Dallas that has become a hip urban center while never completely letting go of its Wild West roots.

Texas also attracts millions of visitors and thousands of new residents. The latter are drawn by its relatively low cost of living, affordable housing, growing job market, and vibrant economy (no state income tax here, folks). Historically known for cattle and oil, Texas has since become a major center for trade, high tech, and finance.

A cultural melting pot, economic progress, and a diverse landscape - to hold all that, you better be like a whole other country!