| − | '''Texas''' became the 28th state to join the union on December 29, 1845. It was a territory of [[Mexico]] from 1821–1835, before [[Texas War of Independence|gaining independence]] from [[Mexico]] as the [[Republic of Texas]] from 1836–1845. This state is the largest [[conservative]] state in population and is predicted to surpass [[California]] in population within a few decades. Texas is the second-largest in population after California and has the second-largest land-area after [[Alaska]]. It has the largest land area in the continental [[United States]]. | + | '''Texas''' became the 28th state to join the union on December 29, 1845. It was a territory of [[Mexico]] from 1821–1835, before [[Texas War of Independence|gaining independence]] from [[Mexico]] as the [[Republic of Texas]] from 1836–1845. This state is the largest [[conservative]] state in population and is predicted to surpass [[California]] in population within a few decades. Texas is the second-largest in population after California and has the second-largest land-area after [[Alaska]]. Texas has the most [[free market]]-based large [[economy]] in the [[United States]]. |
| | The capital of Texas is [[Austin]], and the largest city is [[Houston]]. Texas was a solidly [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] state from the end of [[Reconstruction]] in the early 1870s until the 1970s, when [[Republican Party]] started gradually taking control, until it dominated the political atmosphere of the state. Nevertheless, Democrats dominate the largest cities of Houston, [[San Antonio]], Austin, [[Dallas]], and [[El Paso]] (and the respective counties in which they reside), along with the counties along the Mexican border. | | The capital of Texas is [[Austin]], and the largest city is [[Houston]]. Texas was a solidly [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] state from the end of [[Reconstruction]] in the early 1870s until the 1970s, when [[Republican Party]] started gradually taking control, until it dominated the political atmosphere of the state. Nevertheless, Democrats dominate the largest cities of Houston, [[San Antonio]], Austin, [[Dallas]], and [[El Paso]] (and the respective counties in which they reside), along with the counties along the Mexican border. |