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Texas 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 (in 2020 it was the only state to gain more than one new seat in Congress, it gained two new seats) and is predicted to surpass [[California]] in population within a few decades (due in part to Californians moving to the state, causing it to lose a Congressional seat for the first time in its history). Texas is the second-largest in population after California (in 2020 its population was estimated at over 29.1 million) and has the second-largest land area after [[Alaska]].  Texas has long been the biggest grower of [[cotton]] in the [[U.S.]]  

Texas 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 (in 2020 it was the only state to gain more than one new seat in Congress, it gained two new seats) and is predicted to surpass [[California]] in population within a few decades (due in part to Californians moving to the state, causing it to lose a Congressional seat for the first time in its history). Texas is the second-largest in population after California (in 2020 its population was estimated at over 29.1 million) and has the second-largest land area after [[Alaska]].  Texas has long been the biggest grower of [[cotton]] in the [[U.S.]]  

The capital of Texas is [[Austin]], and its 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 control 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. Austin is one of the most [[liberal]] cities in [[The South|the South]].

The capital of Texas is [[Austin]], and its 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 (although, during the shift, the state maintained a generally conservative approach to governing). Nevertheless, Democrats control 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. Austin is one of the most [[liberal]] cities in [[The South|the South]].

Up until the 1980s, Texas had a booming [[oil]] industry, starting with the Spindletop oil gusher. For many years Texas was one of the largest oil producers in the world, with the Permian Basin and East Texas oilfields being famous around the globe. Currently, Texas is shifting from the oil industry (though still a significant component of the state economy) to the service sector. It has a growing tech industry and is home to many well-known corporations such as [[Dell]], [[Texas Instruments]] and [[Hewlett Packard]].  The North Texas area also has a large concentration of defense contractors: Bell Helicopter, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Technologies, and [[Raytheon]] all have a large presence in the area.  Texas has a world-renowned health care system, particularly in [[Houston]].

Up until the 1980s, Texas had a booming [[oil]] industry, starting with the Spindletop oil gusher. For many years Texas was one of the largest oil producers in the world, with the Permian Basin and East Texas oilfields being famous around the globe. Currently, Texas is shifting from the oil industry (though still a significant component of the state economy) to the service sector. It has a growing tech industry and is home to many well-known corporations such as [[Dell]], [[Texas Instruments]] and [[Hewlett Packard]].  The North Texas area also has a large concentration of defense contractors: Bell Helicopter, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Technologies, and [[Raytheon]] all have a large presence in the area.  Texas has a world-renowned health care system, particularly in [[Houston]].