Some quick facts about Texas before you move on:

Statehood attained: Dec. 29, 1845 (29th state)

Nickname: The Lone Star State (after the single star in its state flag)

Motto:  "Friendship" (the word Texas comes from "tejas", the Spanish pronunciation of the Caddo Indian word for "friend" or "ally")

Area: 268,581 sq. mi.

Population (2010): 25,145,561

Capital: Austin (last capital of the Republic of Texas)

Highest point: 8,749 ft. (Guadalupe Mt. in Culberson Co.)

Lowest point: sea level (Gulf of Mexico)

State bird: mockingbird

State reptile: Texas horned lizard

State small mammal: armadillo

State flower: bluebonnet

State tree: pecan

State dish: chili

State snack: tortilla chips and salsa

State fruit: Texas red grapefruit

State vehicle: chuck wagon (though some would argue it's the pickup truck)

State gem: Texas blue topaz

State ship: USS Texas (berthed at the Houston Ship Channel, served in both world wars)

Largest city: Houston (2,099,451)

Largest county (population): Harris (4,092,495) located in southeast Texas

Smallest county (population): Loving (82) west Texas

Largest county (size): Brewster (6,193 sq. mi.) west Texas

Smallest county (size): Rockwall (149 sq. mi.) northeast Texas

Number of Texas counties: 254

Wettest year statewide: 42.62 in (1941)

Driest year statewide: 13.\30 (1917)

Highest annual rainfall: 109.38 in (1873 in Clarksville)

Least annual rainfall: 1.63 in (1956 in Presidio)