Texas , largest state in the coterminous United States. It is located in the S Central part of the country and is bounded by Oklahoma, across the Red R. except in the Texas panhandle (N); Arkansas (NE); Louisiana, across the Sabine R. (E); the Gulf of Mexico (SE); Mexico, across the Rio Grande R. (SW); and New Mexico (W). Mineral resources compete with industry for primary economic importance in Texas. The state is the leading U.S. producer of oil, natural gas, and natural-gas liquids, despite recent production declines. It is also a major producer of helium, salt, sulfur, sodium sulfate, clays, gypsum, cement, and talc. Texas manufactures an enormous variety of products, including chemicals and chemical products, petroleum, food and food products, transportation equipment, machinery, and primary and fabricated metals. The development and manufacture of electronic equipment, such as computers, has in recent decades become one of the state's leading industries; the area around Dallas–Fort Worth has become known as “Silicon Prairie,” a name now also extended to Austin and its suburbs. The region that is now Texas was early known to the Spanish, who were, however, slow to settle there. Cabeza de Vaca, shipwrecked off the coast in 1528, wandered through the area in the 1530s, and Coronado probably crossed the northwest section in 1541. De Soto died before reaching Texas, but his men continued west, crossing the Red River in 1542. The first Spanish settlement was made (1682) at Ysleta on the site of present day El Paso by refugees from the area that is now New Mexico after the Pueblo revolt of 1680. Several missions were established in the area; but the Comanche, Apache, and other Native American tribes resented their encroachment, and the settlements did not flourish.

The growth of Texas is attributed to the availability of jobs, the low cost of housing, the lack of a personal state income tax, and low taxation. The economy relies on information technology, oil and natural gas, fuel processing, electric power, agriculture and manufacturing. Timber plays a large part in the East Texas economy. Texas offers a substantial number of apartment rentals for those moving to the state to take advantage of the job market.

Texas has a rich Mexican and Western heritage. It is the second largest state in both area and population. Internationally known for its energy and aeronautics industries, the ship channel at the Port of Houston is the largest in the U.S. in international commerce and is the sixth largest port in the world. The Texas Medical Center contains the largest concentration of research and healthcare institutions in the world. Six flags have flown over Texas soil: France, Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America and the United States of America. Texas apartment rentals are as diverse as the culture of the state.

Texas is known for its love of football. Professional football teams are the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. Baseball is also very popular and the major league teams are the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros. Three NBA basketball teams are the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Dallas Mavericks. Rodeos, hunting, fishing, auto racing, golf, soccer, and hockey are also enjoyed in the state. Austin is known as The Live Music Capital of the World, and San Antonio is the Nashville of Tejano music. Visual and performing arts are also a vibrant part of metropolitan areas. Enjoy the heritage and traditions of Texas by renting an apartment.

There are more than 100 colleges and universities and dozens of institutions engaged in research and development in Texas. The four largest comprehensive institutions are University of Texas, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, and Texas Tech University. Rice University is one of the leading teaching and research universities in the nation. There are many Texas colleges and universities and students also have many choices of apartments to rent.