Texas Factoids

State name: Texas, from the Native American word tejas, meaning friends.
State nickname: "The Lone Star State"
State motto: "Friendship"
State song: "Texas, Our Texas"
State tree: Pecan
State flower: Bluebonnet (blooms from late March to early April)
State dish: Chili
State bird: Mockingbird
6 national flags flown over Texas: Spain (1519-1821), France (1685-1762), Mexico (1821-1836), Republic of Texas (1836-1848), Confederate States of America (1861-1865), United States of America (1865-present)

Governor: Rick Perry, Republican
Population: About 22,490,022 (2004)
Area code: 512
Time zone: Central
Founding Date: 1839
Original name: Waterloo (Capitol of the Republic of Texas)
City population estimate: 700,407 (2005)
Austin-Round Rock MSA: 1,403,646 (2005)
Total City of Austin land area: 291.44 sq. mi. (2005)
Mayor: Will WynnCounty: Travis
County Judge: Samuel T. Biscoe
Neighboring counties: Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays (Greater Austin area)
Average days of sunshine per year: 300
Average temperature: 70 F
Elevation: 125 to 1000 ft above sea level
Taxes: No corporate income tax, state or local.  No personal income tax, state or local
Distance to the Border: 225 miles from Mexican border. San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas are all within 200 miles.
Dress: Spring, summer and fall are all suitable for shorts, short sleeves and light dresses. In winter, a sweater or light jacket may be needed. A few days of the year during the colder months may require a heavy coat.
Official slogan: "Live Music Capital of the World"