What are the Key Facts of Oklahoma?

State	Oklahoma
State Capital	Oklahoma City
Largest City	Oklahoma City
Coordinates	35.5°N 98°W
Nickname(s)	“Native America”, “Land of the Red Man”, “Sooner State”
Postal Abbreviation	OK
Area	69,899 sq. mi (181,037 sq. km)
Highest Point	Black Mesa, 4,975 ft (1,516 m)
Neighboring States	Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas
Number of Counties	77
Population	3956971
Date of entering the Union	November 16, 1907
State Anthem	“Oklahoma, Oklahoma Hills”
Governor	Kevin Stitt (Republicans)
Lieutenant governor	Matt Pinnell (Republicans)
U.S. senators	Jim Inhofe (Republicans), James Lankford (Republicans)
U.S. House delegation	4 Republicans, 1 Democrat
GDP (millions of dollars)	207381
Demonym	Oklahoman; Okie (colloq.)
Time Zones	Entire state (legally) UTC−06:00 (Central), Summer (DST) UTC−05:00 (CDT); Kenton (informally) UTC−07:00 (Mountain), Summer (DST) UTC−06:00 (MDT)

Where is Oklahoma?

Oklahoma (the 46th state admitted to the union on November 16, 1907) is located in the South-Central region of the USA. Kansas borders it to the north, Colorado to the northwest, New Mexico to the west, Texas to the west and south, Arkansas to the east, and Missouri to the northeast. Oklahoma is situated partly in the Great Plains near the 48 contiguous states’ geographical center.

What is the Geography of Oklahoma?

Oklahoma is spread across a total area of 69,899 sq. mi (181,037 sq. km), out of which 68,595 sq. mi (177,660 sq. km) is land area and 1,304 sq. mi (3,377 sq. km) is water area. Water bodies constitute 1.9% of the total area. In terms of total area, it is the 20th largest state in the US.

The longest rivers in the state are Arkansas River, Red River, Canadian River, Cimarron River, Neosho River, North Canadian River, Verdigris River, Washita River, North Fork Red River, Salt Fork Arkansas River, etc. The major lakes in the state are Lake Texoma, Eufaula Lake, Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees, Broken Bow Lake, Tenkiller Ferry Lake, Keystone Lake, Oologah Lake, Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, Foss Reservoir, Kaw Lake, and many more.

This state’s mean elevation is 1,300 feet (396.24 m) above sea level. While the highest elevation point in Oklahoma is Black Mesa at 4,973 feet (1,515.77 m) above sea level, the lowest elevation point is Little River at 289 feet (88.09 m) above sea level.

The significant mountains in the state are Robbers Roost Peak, Blacksmith Canyon, Layton Canyon, Road Canyon, Coopers Arroyo, Road Canyon, Pat Canyon, Sand Canyon, Burrows Canyon, and many more.

The terrain in Oklahoma is mainly flat and fertile plains, as well as low-lying hills. There are many oil and natural gas wells found across the state. Vast wheat fields are found in this state. Large herds of cattle grazing flat grasslands are a common sight in the state.

The state has a wide variety of landforms, consisting of 10 different land regions.

These regions are Ozark Plateau, Prairie Plains, Ouachita Mountains, Sandstone Hills Region, Arbuckle Mountains, Wichita Mountains, Red River Valley Region, Red Beds Plains, Gypsum Hills, and High Plains.

The Ozark Plateau (an extension of the landscape of Missouri and Arkansas) is in the northeastern part of Oklahoma. This land region is characterized by rivers having steep valley walls, which are separated by broad flat areas.

The Prairiee Plains are the second most important region in the state. They are located to the west and south of the Ozark Plateau. Whether it is the oil, coal, or grazing flatlands in Oklahoma, they are in this region of the state. Spinach, beans, and carrots are produced in large amounts in the farms of Arkansas River Valley, which is located to the east of Muskogee.

The Ouachita Mountains are in the southern part of the state along the border of Arkansas. These mountains are sandstone ridges that run from east to west. They are Oklahoma’s roughest land. The spring-fed streams flow through the narrow valleys, located between the ridges.

The Sandstone Hills Region is in the north-central part of Oklahoma. It extends from the Kansas border towards the south to the Red River. These hills are around 250 feet (76.2 m) to 400 feet (121.92 m) high. Blackjack and Post Oak forests are found in this region. The early oil development started in this part of the state.

The Arbuckle Mountains are situated in south-central Oklahoma. It is spread over a total area of around 1,000 sq. mi (2589.99 sq. km). These are predominantly low mountains whose heights range within 600 feet (182.88 m) to 700 feet (213.36 m) above the plains. Erosion in the mountains has led to unusual rock formations. This mountainous region is mainly used for grazing cattle.

The Wichita Mountains are in the southwestern part of the state.

The Red River Valley Region is situated along the neighboring Texas border in southern Oklahoma. Rolling prairie and some forested hills are found in this region. The soil in the Red River Valley region is sandy but fertile. Some of the crops grown here are vegetables, peanuts, and cotton.

The Red Beds Plains are the largest region of land in the state. They are in the western part of the Sand Hills. They originate in the north as a stretch from the Kansas border and stretch through the center of Oklahoma to the south. From east to west, this region slopes, this region slopes upward. Some forested areas are in the east. The western part is covered with grass.

The Gypsum Hills is located to the west of the Red Beds Plains and extends towards the north to the High Plains (situated in the northwestern part of the state). These hills are low-lying hills whose height varies within 150 feet (45.72 m) and 200 feet (60.96 m). These hills are capped with 15-20 feet (4.57-6.09 m) layers of gypsum. The gypsum content makes these hills to sparkle in the sunlight. That is why the Gypsum Hills are also called the Glass Hills.

The High Plains are mainly level grasslands that are in northwestern Oklahoma. The highest mountains in the state are found in this area. The height varies from 2,000 ft (609.6 m) above sea level in the eastern part to 4,973 feet (1,515.77 m) above sea level in the west. The highest elevation point (Black Mesa) is in this region. The Oklahoma Panhandle region is in the High Plains. It is 166 miles (267.15 km) long and 34 miles (54.72 km) wide. The High Plains are located between Colorado and Kansas in the north and Texas in the south.

What is the Climate of Oklahoma?

Oklahoma has a humid subtropical climate in the east and semi-arid climate in the west (including the panhandle). The eastern part gets mild-to-cold winters and hot-to-humid summers, thanks to the humid subtropical climate. Extreme temperature is found in the semi-arid climate in the western portion of the state. The climatic condition of the state is influenced by both mountain ranges and the Gulf of Mexico.

In this state, the summer season is long and hot. In comparison to the western region, the southern and eastern areas remain more cloudy, moist, and humid. For around 15 to 35 days during summer, the temperatures remain more than 100 °F (37.8 °C). For approximately 65 to 115 days during summer, the temperatures remain more than 90 °F (32.2 °C).

In the panhandle as well as the west, winter remains cold. For around 110 to 140 days across the year, the temperatures stay below the freezing point. Every year, the southeast gets around 60 nights when the temperature remains below the freezing point. Freezing temperature generally starts by mid-October in the fall (or autumn) season and continues till mid-April every year in the spring season. In Oklahoma, the soil freezes up to a depth of 3-to-10 inches (76.2-254 mm).

While the western part of the state receives scanty rainfall (18 inches or 457.2 mm) annually, the eastern and southern parts receive around 56 inches or 1422.4 mm of annual rainfall. The maximum level of precipitation takes place in May of a year, followed by September in the eastern part of Oklahoma. The panhandle and adjacent western regions of this state remain wettest during June and July.

The panhandle region receives more snowfall (30 inches or 762mm) than the eastern parts of the state (2 inches or 50.8mm). Several incidences of snowfall take place in Northwest Oklahoma, but the snow hardly remains on the ground for over a few days. This state receives lots of sunshine annually, ranging from 2,500 hours to 3,100 hours.

What is the Economy of Oklahoma?

The Oklahoma economy is heavily dependent upon petroleum and agriculture. It is not as balanced as other prospering US states. However, the state and local officials are working hard to develop new forms of industry in Oklahoma, including tourism.

The total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the state was US$202,554.1 in 2018. While the per capita income was US$47,951 in 2019, the median household income was US$54,434 in 2018. The median household income in the state is significantly lower than that of the median household income of the national average of the US.

The main agricultural products in Oklahoma, in terms of revenue generation, are cattle and calves, wheat, broilers (young chickens), hogs, and dairy products. While Oklahoma is among the top 5 states in the production of wheat and beef, it is among the top 10 in terms of production of hogs.

The unemployment rate was 3.3% in January 2020. It is among the lowest rates ever in the history of Oklahoma since 1976. The poverty rate in Oklahoma is higher than the national average. As per the US Census Bureau, the overall poverty in the state decreased slightly from 15.8% in 2017 to 15.5% in 2018. However, the rate of poverty for the age group of below 18 years increased from 21.3% in 2017 to 21.4% in 2018.

What is the Transportation System of Oklahoma?

The transportation system in Oklahoma consists of an anchor system including Interstate Highways, inland ports, airports, inter-city rail lines, and mass transit networks.

There are three main Interstate Highways (Interstate 35, 40, and 44) and four auxiliary Interstate Highways. The entire roadway in the state is over 12,000 mi (19,000 km), which includes Interstate Highways, State Highways, and major toll roads.

The state has many airports, and the three major ones are Will Rogers World Airport (in Oklahoma City), Tulsa International Airport (in Tulsa), and Lawton–Fort Sill Regional Airport (in Lawton). Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer is the major railway network connecting Oklahoma City with Fort Worth of Texas. Tulsa Port of Catoosa and the Port of Muskogee are the two most important inland ports in Oklahoma.

What is the Origin of the name “Oklahoma”?

The name Oklahoma was made by a native American missionary Allen Wright through a combination of two Choctaw words: “ukla” and “humá.” While “ukla” means person, “humá” means red. Therefore, Oklahoma means “red person.” The word first appeared officially in the Choctaw treaty of 1866.

Why Oklahoma is called the “Sooner State”?

“Sooner State” is the most popular nickname and not the official nickname of the state.

“The Homestead Act of 1862” provided legal settlers in the state to claim 160 acres of public land. The US government started to offer “unassigned lands” (the area where the settlers began to flock to) in Oklahoma to the immigrants through a series of “Land Openings.” The Oklahoma Territory started to open around 2 million acres of land to the settlers on April 22, 1889, at noon.

Thousands of settlers were in line on the border to receive the signal from the government to participate in the Land Run of 1889 (where the newcomers initially competed for the land in horse races) and stake claim of land in the designated territory. Some people entered central Oklahoma illegally (especially before the designated entry time of noon of April 22, 1889) to lay claim to lands. These people were known as “Sooners.”

The Kentucky Historical Society says that “the early legal settlers of Oklahoma Territory held a very low opinion of Sooners.” However, this low opinion about the “Sooners” started to change when the University of Oklahoma in 1908 named their football team “Sooners”. By the 1920s, the negative connotation associated with the word “Sooners” was no longer there. The people in the state started to adopt the nickname as a badge of pride, progressivism, energetic, and can-do spirit. Soon it became a positive connotation. Since then, “Sooner State” became the most popular nickname of Oklahoma.

The state has another popular nickname, and it is the “Boomer’s Paradise”.

What are the Popular Tourist Attractions in Oklahoma?

The most popular tourist destinations in the state are Philbrook Museum of Art, Oklahoma Route 66 Museum (in Clinton), National Route 66 and Transportation Museum (in Elk City), Blue Whale of Catoosa or Golden Driller (in Tulsa), Oklahoma City Zoo, the University of Oklahoma (includes contemporary exhibits at the Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, and Bizzell Memorial Library), Marland Estate Mansion, Museum of the Great Plains (in Lawton), Gilcrease Museum, Oklahoma City National Memorial, Oklahoma Aquarium, Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, National Weather Center, Cherokee Heritage Center, JM Davis Arms & Historical Museum, Myriad Botanical Gardens, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and many more.

Facts About Oklahoma

1.On 25th July 2000 the then Governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating proclaimed plans to build a dome on the capital building of the state.

2.The sole archaeological park of Oklahoma is Spiro Mounds. It is spread over a 140 acre area and has 12 southern mounds that have proof of a Native American culture that lived at the site from 850 AD to 1450 AD. The Mounds are regarded as one of the most critical primitive Indian locations in the eastern part of Rocky Mountains.

3.The first ever parking meter was installed on 16th July 1935 in Oklahoma City. Carl C Magee from the same city is thought of as the originator of the parking meter. He had applied for a patent on 13th May 1935 for a parking meter that was to be controlled by coins.

4.Garth Brooks was brought up at Yukon but was born in Tulsa.

5.Founded in 1871 Vinita is the oldest among the incorporated towns located on Route 66 in Oklahoma. It was originally called Downingville. It was also the first town to have received electricity. Its name was changed later on to honor Vinnie Ram, the creator of Abraham Lincoln’s life size statue at United States Capitol.

6.WKY Radio is the first radio station to have broadcast from the western banks of Mississippi.

7.During a tornado at Ponca City a man was lifted from the ground along with his wife. They were at their house when the incident happened. The roof and walls of the house were blown away. The floor, however, stayed firm and came down gradually. This helped the couple to land back safely on the ground.

8.The Centennial Plaza in Ponca City has a backdrop of a building from the times of revival of the Spanish colonial forces. The building was dedicated when the 100th anniversary of the Land Run of 1893 was celebrated. The Plaza has the Centennial Monument that was created by Jo Saylors and is bordered by 7000 bricks that have been named. It also has EW Marland’s statue, Fire Station number one, a fountain that serves as a war memorial and a city hall.

9.The Amateur Softball Association of America was set up in 1933. It was a non profit body where volunteers played a major role. It is based in Oklahoma and since its inception has become one of the strongest softball set ups in USA.

10.The state motto of Oklahoma is Labor Omnia Vincit. When translated into English it means labor conquers every thing.
11.Bill Bennett, a local sculptor from Perry, has carved a statue named Hopes and Dreams. The statue is located in the downtown area. It has been placed on a huge granite pedestal and is a top Cherokee Strip Centennial memorial.

12.A famous woman outlaw named Belle Starr has been cremated in a remote grave that lies in southwestern Porum close to Eufaula Dam.

13.The oldest park in Oklahoma is Turner Falls Park and it is located in Davis. It is also the biggest waterfall in the state. The Honey Creek, which is created by several springs from the famous Arbuckle Mountains, flows down a 70 feet height and falls to form a natural swimming pool.

14.The University of Central Oklahoma was originally named Normal School. It is the state’s original public school and was meant for public education. It started off as a teacher’s college and has now become a top educational institution in this part of the USA.

15.There is a functional oil well that is located on capitol grounds in Oklahoma that have been named Capitol Site No. 1.

16.Almost 20,000 fire starters and lighters are on display at National Lighter Museum in Gurhrie. It is the only museum of this kind in USA.

17.The only proper Indian city in USA is located in Anadarko. It is situated at the Wishita River Valley in the southwestern part of the state.

18.Quachitas, Wichitas, Arbuckles and Kiamichis are the various mountain ranges in Oklahoma.

19.On The Chisholm Trail is a cattle drive’s life size statue. It was set up in 1998 in Duncan as a monument for paying tribute to the American cowboys.

20.Foress B Lillie took part in the land run held in 1889. He established a tent for business purposes even as the shots were fired. Lillie’s Drug was the original drug store to have been set up in Guthrie. He was given the first license certificate after he was enlisted as a working pharmacist by the newly formed Oklahoma state.

21.The major artillery fort of USA is located at Fort Sill. It was founded by Phillip H. Sheridan, William T. Sherman and George A. Custer.

22.The famous 1996 film Twister is set in Oklahoma.

23.Will Rogers was born in 1879 at a big ranch in Cherokee nation close to Oologah, Oklahoma. He soon became a national figure and starred in many Broadway productions. He also appeared in 71 movies during the 1920s and 30s. He later became a famous broadcaster and has written over 4000 columns that were published in many newspapers.

24.Oklahoma is bordered by Texas in west and south, Kansas in north, Missouri and Arkansas in east and New Mexico and Colorado in northwest.

25.There is a life size statue of Thomas P Stafford in Weatherford. He was a famous astronaut.

26.Billed as the entrance to southeastern Oklahoma, Antlers is also known as the global deer capital.

27.During the Second World War Boise City in Oklahoma was the only American city to have been bombed. A B-17 Bomber dropped 6 bombs for practice on the town on 5th July 1943 at almost 12:30 am. The Bomber was based at Dalhart Army Air Base, which lies to Boise City’s south and is 50 miles away.

28.On 25th March 1948 evening Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma was ripped apart by a tornado that caused a lot of damage. A few people were injured but no one lost their lives. A couple of hours before the tornado Air Force Major Ernest J Fawbush and Robert C Miller had forecast correctly that atmospheric conditions were suitable for tornadoes in the area. This first ever tornado forecast proved to be crucial in safeguarding military resources and public in USA from dangers caused by natural disasters.

29.In Oklahoma Choctaw is the oldest licensed town. It gained its status in 1893.

30.Kingfisher is marked by a slogan – “Buckle of the wheat belt”. It has the biggest market for wheat in USA.

31.Okmulgee holds the world record for the biggest pecan pie, pecan brownie, pecan cookie, and largest cookie and ice cream party. It also holds the Pecan Festival every year.

32.Oklahoma and Indiana are the two American states whose capitals include the name of the state as well.

33.Oklahoma City is home to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

34.The YIELD sign was created by Clinton Riggs and used for the first time in Tulsa on a trial basis.

35.Beaver claims that it is the global cow chip throwing capital. It also houses the yearly World Championship Cow Chip Throw every April.

36.The official wildflower of Oklahoma is Indian Blanket. It is a red flower that has yellow tips. It stands for the beauty and splendor of the state and its rich Native American legacy. The flower blossoms during the months of June and July.

37.The original shopping cart was discovered by Sylvan Goldman. He was from Oklahoma.

38.In USA Oklahoma has the most man made lakes. All these lakes cover a million acres of area.

39.Jenks is famous for being the antique capital of Oklahoma. It also has a finest range of antique stores, crafters malls, gift shops, museums, galleries and collectible retailers in Oklahoma.

40.Oklahoma gets its nickname from the Sooners.

41.Guthrie was the first capital of Oklahoma but it was later shifted to Oklahoma City after a popular vote.

42.The state bird of Oklahoma is Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher. It is a calm bird and has lovely feathers. It has a smooth and long tail that is twice bigger than its whole body. The tail also looks like scissors.

43.Oklahoma was originally an Indian territory but it was later opened for settlers during a land rush that took place in 1889. Prospective settlers were permitted to enter the territory and claim plots by taking hold of the stakes that marked the plots. A couple of settlers went in to claim land before the process had started officially. These people later came to be known as Sooners.

44.In USA Oklahoma has the biggest population of Native Americans. There are almost 250,000 Indian Americans living in the state and most of them are descendants of the 67 tribes who used to live in the Indian Territory. 39 tribes have their headquarters in the state.

45.Cherokee Nation’s tribal capital is in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

46.Oklahoma City National Memorial pays tribute to victims, rescuers and survivors of the bombing that took place on 19th April 1995.

47.Pensacola Dam was erected in 1940 and is situated between Disney and Langley on the southern coasts of the Grand Lake O the Cherokees. It is still the tallest multiple arch dam of the world. The length of its spillway is 6,565 feet and its multiple arch section is 4,284 feet tall. It is also Oklahoma’s first ever hydroelectric facility.

48.The major draws at Chickasaw National Recreation Area are its various springs, lakes and streams. It is Oklahoma’s original national park. The park is at a transitional location, which serves as the meeting point of prairies of west and deciduous forests of east.

49.The first electric guitar was invented in 1935 by Bob Dunn from Beggs.

50.Sequoyah’s Cabin is located in Akins and was inhabited from 1829-44 by Sequoyah who was also known as George Gist. In 1821 Gist came up with some symbols that helped people to write and read Cherokee.

Related Link:

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