Oklahoma , state in SW United States. It is bordered by Missouri and Arkansas (E); Texas, partially across the Red R. (S, W); New Mexico, across the narrow edge of the Oklahoma Panhandle (W); and Colorado and Kansas (N). Cotton, formerly the leading cash crop of Oklahoma, has been succeeded by wheat; income from livestock, however, exceeds that from crops. Many minerals are found in Oklahoma, including coal, but the one that gave the state its wealth is oil. After the first well was drilled in 1888, the petroleum industry grew enormously, until Oklahoma City and Tulsa were among the great natural gas and petroleum centers of the world. Oil and gas have declined somewhat in importance today. Many of Oklahoma's factories process local foods and minerals, but its chief manufactures include nonelectrical machinery and fabricated metal products. Military bases and other government facilities are also important. The western section of what is now the state of Oklahoma became the Oklahoma Territory in 1890; it included the Panhandle, the narrow strip of territory that, taken from Texas by the Compromise of 1850, had become a no-man's-land where settlers came in undisturbed. In 1893 the Dawes Commission was appointed to implement a policy of dividing the tribal lands into individual holdings; the Native Americans resisted, but the policy was finally enforced in 1906. The wide lands of the Indian Territory were thus made available to whites. The Civilized Tribes made the best of a poor bargain, and the Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory were united in 1907 to form the state of Oklahoma, with a constitution that included provision for initiative and referendum. Already the oil boom had reached major proportions, and the young state was on the verge of great economic development. At the same time, cotton, wheat, and corn were major money crops, and cattleland holdings, although shrinking, were still enormous.

Oklahoma has rich plains that produce bumper yields of wheat, as well as large crops of sorghum, hay, cotton, and peanuts. More than half of Oklahoma annual farm receipts are contributed by livestock products, including cattle, dairy products, swine, and broilers. Oil and gas remain an important commodity for the economy. The largest factories are connected with transportation, and food-processing plants are common throughout the state. You can find apartments to rent that are tailor-made for your budget.

Oklahoma has the second largest American Indian population of any state and many American Indians there today are descendants of the original sixty-seven tribes that inhabited Indian Territory. The state has a rich cowboy heritage, American Indian history, and unspoiled, diverse natural beauty. Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state, with more than one million surface acres of water and 2,000 more miles of shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined. Oklahoma has a diverse selection of homes and apartment rentals.

Known as Indian Territory from its earliest days, Oklahoma offers visitors major tourist attractions related to its American Indian heritage such as the restored Cherokee village and the American Indian Cultural Center. Hunting opportunities abound and the state boasts five big game species in all 77 counties. The rugged mountains, numerous large lakes, state parks, and wildlife refuges provide many outdoor adventures. Fishing is a year round sport. Fishing enthusiasts can find affordable apartment rentals near any of the numerous man-made lakes.

Oklahoma has 29 public and 24 private institutions of higher learning. Some of the Universities are University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University, and Oklahoma Baptist University. Oklahoma State University has won more NCAA wrestling titles than any school and has produced 124 individual national champions. University of Oklahoma is well known for their football team. Students can find reasonably priced housing and apartments in Oklahoma.