Texas is the only state that was an independent country before joining the United States and negotiated its own terms on the way in. The Republic of Texas existed from 1836 to 1845 with its own president, currency, army and foreign embassies. Almost everything distinctive about Texas — the flag flying at the same height as the national one, the state pride, the sheer scale of it — traces back to that decade.
Below, the facts are grouped by what they explain: the size, the history, the economy, and the things people routinely get wrong about the state.
The scale, which is genuinely hard to picture
- Texas is larger than every country in Western Europe except Russia and Ukraine. At roughly 268,000 square miles it is bigger than France, and about the size of Spain and Portugal combined.
- El Paso is closer to San Diego than to Houston. Driving across Texas takes longer than driving from London to the Czech border.
- The state has 254 counties — more than any other. Brewster County alone is larger than the state of Connecticut.
- Texas has the most farmland of any state and leads the nation in cattle, cotton and hay production.
The independent country years
- The Republic of Texas lasted nine years, from 1836 until annexation in 1845, and was recognised by the United States, France, Britain and the Netherlands.
- Six flags have flown over Texas — Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy and the United States. The theme park name comes from this, not the other way round.
- “Texas” comes from a Caddo word, táyshaʼ, meaning friends or allies. The state motto is simply “Friendship”.
- The Alamo was a loss, not a victory. The defenders were killed; “Remember the Alamo” became the rallying cry for the battle that actually won independence weeks later at San Jacinto — which lasted about 18 minutes.
Energy, space and money
- If Texas were a country it would be one of the world’s largest economies, comparable to nations in the global top ten by GDP.
- Texas produces more oil than any other state, and the Permian Basin is among the most productive oilfields on Earth.
- It also leads the United States in wind power by a wide margin — a fact that surprises people who associate the state only with oil.
- Texas runs its own electricity grid. ERCOT covers most of the state and is largely separate from the two grids serving the rest of the country, which is why Texas power failures do not spread and why help cannot easily flow in.
- “Houston” was the first word spoken from the Moon — Mission Control is at the Johnson Space Center.
Four things people get wrong about Texas
- “Texas can legally split into five states.” The 1845 annexation resolution mentioned the possibility of forming additional states, but any such division would still require Congressional approval like any other. It is not a standing right Texas can exercise alone.
- “Texas can secede whenever it wants.” It cannot. The Supreme Court addressed this in Texas v. White (1869), holding that the union is perpetual.
- “It’s all desert.” Texas spans pine forest in the east, wetlands on the Gulf coast, hill country in the centre and desert only in the far west. East Texas gets more annual rainfall than Seattle.
- “Everyone is a cowboy.” Texas is one of the most urbanised states in the country — Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Fort Worth are all among the largest cities in the United States.
Frequently asked questions about Texas
Was Texas really its own country?
Yes. The Republic of Texas existed from 1836 to 1845 with a president, a currency, an army and diplomatic recognition from several countries, before joining the United States by annexation.
Can Texas legally secede from the United States?
No. Texas v. White (1869) held that states cannot unilaterally leave the union. The belief that Texas retained a special right to secede at annexation is a persistent myth.
How big is Texas compared to a country?
At roughly 268,000 square miles it is larger than France and comparable to Spain and Portugal together. Only Alaska is a bigger US state.
Why does Texas have its own power grid?
ERCOT was structured to stay within state lines and therefore outside federal interstate regulation. The trade-off is isolation: problems stay contained, but so does help during a crisis.