Texas – The Lone Star State – Directory of Maps

Texas is the second largest state in the United States in area after Alaska. It is also the second largest state in population after California. The abbreviation of the “Lone Star State”, as it is nicknamed, is TX. The population is approximately 22 million.

The state, in the south of the US, has many oil wells. According to EJIAXING, the capital of Texas is Austin, the largest city is Houston. Other major major cities are Dallas and San Antonio.

Big Bend National Park

This national park is located on the bend of the mighty Rio Grande in southwest Texas along the border with Mexico. The main feature of this park is the great contrast between the mountains and desert area here. Long expanses of desert can be seen all the way to the end of the horizon. Mountain ranges and bizarre rock formations rise from the surrounding flat and dry land. Steep-walled canyons follow the bed of the Rio Grande. The majority of the park is accessible by car or camper. Paths have been laid out in the park for the more adventurous.

The temperature in summer is about 38 degrees. Spring and autumn also bring fairly pleasant temperatures. However, in winter it can get quite cold in the mountains, but the temperature on the lowlands can also be called reasonable. The Santa Elena Canyon is definitely worth a visit. Steep walls along the river are the hallmarks here. For the best pictures of this area you should visit the Santa Elena Canyon at sunrise.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

The Guadalupe Mountains in the western part of Texas and the roughest part of this area has been awarded National Park status. The park covers an area of 308 square kilometers and was granted status in 1972. The mountainous area has some of the most important fossil-strewn limestone formations from the Permian on its grounds. The Permian is a period between 280 and 230 million years ago. Furthermore, an important feature of this park is a canyon in the earth’s crust, better known as the McKittrick Canyon. In summer there is an average daytime temperature of 38 degrees. The winters are quite mild. the park further borders the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.

The original inhabitants of this area were the Mescalero Indians. About 230 million years ago, western Texas and southeastern New Mexico were an inland sea. In the shallow and warm water, a limestone reef was formed from the lime products of algae. This reef was allowed to petrify and was eventually pushed up by tectonic forces. This area is also part of the park and is known as El Capitan Reef. The area contains the fossils of marine organisms and has the characteristics of a chalk cliff. Due to the loose structure of the limestone, it is strongly advised not to practice mountaineering here.