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Oklahoma Facts

Oklahoma Facts
The State of Oklahoma is located in the south central region of the United States. It shares state borders with Texas, New Mexico, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Arkansas. Oklahoma is the 2oth largest U.S. state with 69,898 square miles. Oklahoma is the 28th most populated state with approximately 3,850,568 residents and is ranked as the 35th most densely populated state. Prior to European settlement, the region was inhabited by Native Americans. First explored by Spanish explorers in 1541, most of Oklahoma was acquired by the U.S. in 1803 during the Louisiana Purchase. The remainder, the Western Panhandle region was acquired by the U.S. in 1845. The state of Oklahoma came to be in 1907, and it joined the Union and became the 46th U.S. state.
Interesting Oklahoma Facts:
The name Oklahoma is derived from Choctaw Indian words: 'okla' which means people and 'humma' which means red.
Oklahoma's state nickname is the Sooner State.
Oklahoma's state motto is 'Labor Omnia vincit' which means 'Labor Conquers All Things'.
The state song for Oklahoma is 'Oklahoma' written by Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Oklahoma residents are referred to as Oklahomans.
Oklahoma's capital city and largest city is Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma's state flag was officially adopted in 1925. The design for the flag was chosen from a flag contest and the winner was Louise Funk Fluke.
Oklahoma's state bird is the scissor-tailed flycatcher and the state game bird is the wild turkey.
The buffalo is Oklahoma's state animal and the state game mammal is the white-tailed deer.
Oklahoma's state insect is the honey bee and the state butterfly is the black swallowtail.
Oklahoma's state fish is the white or sand bass and the state reptile is the collard lizard.
Major rivers in Oklahoma include the Red River, Canadian River and the Arkansas River.
Major lakes in Oklahoma include Keystone Lake, Oologah Lake, Gibson Lake, Lake O' the Cherokees, Lake Hudson, Eufaula Lake and Lake Texoma.
Major industry in Oklahoma includes natural gas, oil, meat packing, manufacturing of construction and oil equipment, mining and food processing.
Major agriculture in Oklahoma includes wheat, hay, cotton, peanuts, sorghum, cattle, swine, and dairy products.
The parking meter was invented in Oklahoma City in 1935 by Carl Magee. It was also first installed in Oklahoma City.
The only authentic Indian city in the United States is in Anadarko, Oklahoma.
During World War II a B-17 bomber dropped six practice bombs on Boise City.
Oklahoma City is home to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Each year in April the town of Beaver hosts the World Championship Cow Chip Throw.
The first shopping cart was invented by Sylvan Goldman from Oklahoma.
The tribal capital of the Cherokee Nation is Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
The electric guitar was invented by Bob Dunn in 1935. He was a musician from Beggs, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma has four mountain ranges including the Kiamichis, Wichitas, Arbuckles and the Ouachitas.
There are more Native Americans living in Oklahoma than there are in any other U.S. state.
Oklahoma's original capital city was Guthrie. A vote by the people of Oklahoma changed it to Oklahoma City.


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