By Robin Thornley
The Texas state tourism slogan is "Texas: It's like a whole other country." That understates the case since the huge state has multiple personalities from the piney woods of East Texas to the desert and oil fields of West Texas, the lakes in the north, the vast ranches of the Plains,
beaches along the Gulf Coast and the rolling, wildflower-covered hills in the center of the state. That does not include towns with a Mexican flavor in South Texas and the mountains of the Big Bend. The geographical variety, the multi-cultural mix and the rich history of a state that once really was a country--the Republic of Texas--makes it a destination to match many appetites.
Distances
It is 852 miles from Orange in the east to El Paso in the west, and 785 miles from Texline, north of Amarillo in the High Plains, to Brownsville in the south. Travelers heading west pass through two time zones, Central for much of the state and Mountain time in El Paso.
Top Tourist Site
The most visited tourist site in Texas is The Alamo--the San Antonio mission that was the site of the famous battle in Texas' war for independence from Mexico. The name means "cottonwood tree," and the site is considered a shrine, hence no interior photography allowed.
Friendly State
The name "Texas" comes from an Indian word "Tejas" that means "friend"--something Texans pride themselves on being.
Feathery Visitors
Not all the visitors to Texas are human. Migratory birds fly the Central Flyway along the Gulf Coast in the spring and fall as they travel to and from winter homes in South Texas, making birdwatching a major tourist attraction on the southern border.
Mountaintops
The highest point in Texas is Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet. The mountain is part of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, 110 miles east of El Paso in West Texas.
The Numbers
There are 24 million Texans--36 percent of them Hispanic--and the state tourism industry brings in about $24 billion in annual revenues.
Resources
About the Author:
Robin Thornley has been a successful writer for more than 25 years, penning articles for national magazines, newspapers and websites. She specializes in a variety of topics, including business, politics, lifestyle trends, travel and cuisine. She also is the author of two guidebooks.
