Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Kansas to the north, Missouri and Arkansas to the east, Texas to the south and west, and New Mexico to the west of its Panhandle region. Oklahoma has a population of over three million people and is home to 39 federally recognized Native American tribes.
The name Oklahoma comes from two Choctaw words meaning “red people”. When settlers arrived in the area in 1889, they adopted this name for their new state. The land was opened for settlement by President Benjamin Harrison through the Land Run of 1889. This event started a period of rapid growth for Oklahoma as thousands of settlers flooded into the area hoping to stake their claim on some of its fertile land.
Oklahoma’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, oil production, and manufacturing. It is one of the top producers of wheat in the United States and also produces soybeans, cotton, sorghum, hay, peanuts, pecans and other crops. The state’s oil production has been declining since its peak in 2015 but remains an important part of Oklahoma’s economy. Manufacturing includes aerospace components, food processing plants and automotive assembly plants. Tourism also plays an important role in Oklahoma’s economy with attractions such as Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City; Turner Falls Park near Davis; Lake Murray State Park near Ardmore; Quartz Mountain Resort Arts & Conference Center near Lone Wolf; Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum; Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City; Cherokee Casino Resort near Tahlequah; Robbers Cave State Park near Wilburton; Beavers Bend State Park near Broken Bow; Great Plains Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum In Tulsa; Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees In Grove And The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum In Oklahoma City all drawing visitors from across the nation each year.
Oklahoma also has a rich cultural history with many Native American tribes calling it home before settlers arrived in 1889 including Apache, Comanche, Kiowa-Apache-Kiowa-Comanche Tribes (KACT). These tribes have left behind a legacy that includes traditional dances such as powwows held at various times throughout the year at different locations across the state as well as artwork depicting their cultures that can be found throughout many art galleries throughout Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
The state is also home to many colleges and universities including University Of Central Oklahomain Edmond (UCOK); Oral Roberts University (ORU) In Tulsa ; Langston Universityin Langston ; East Central Universityin Ada ; Northeastern State Universityin Tahlequah ; Southeastern Oklahomastate Universityin Durant ; Cameron Universityin Lawton ; Rogers State Universityin Claremore ; Southwestern Oklahomastate UniveristyIn Weatherford ; Northwestern Oklahomastate UniveristyIn Alva And TheUniversity Of Science And Arts Of Oklahomain Chickasha.
Oklahoma is also known for its outdoor recreational activities such as hunting for deer or wild turkey or fishing for bass or catfish on one of its many lakes or rivers like Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees or Lake Texoma. For those looking for something more adventurous there are plenty of opportunities such as zip lining through Beavers Bend State Park, mountain biking along trails like Robbers Cave Trail or exploring caves like Alabaster Caverns.
No matter what you’re looking for you’ll find it somewhere in beautiful Oklahoma! From its rich cultural history to its abundance of outdoor activities there’s something here for everyone!
Cities in Oklahoma
According to countryaah, Oklahoma has the following main cities:
1. Oklahoma City: The capital of Oklahoma, located in the north-central part of the state, is the state’s largest city and its economic hub. Home to many Fortune 500 companies, Oklahoma City offers a variety of cultural attractions, including the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Myriad Botanical Gardens and Oklahoma City Zoo.
2. Tulsa: Situated in northeastern Oklahoma on the Arkansas River, Tulsa is home to a vibrant arts scene and a number of large corporations. Popular attractions include Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum, and Woodward Park.
3. Lawton: Located in southwestern Oklahoma near Fort Sill Army Base, this city offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities at Lake Lawtonka and Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. It’s also home to the Comanche Nation Casino & Resort and Great Plains Technology Center.
4. Norman: This university town is home to the University of Oklahoma and has a thriving music scene with many venues for live music performances. Norman also features plenty of outdoor activities such as biking trails at Lake Thunderbird State Park or birdwatching at Little River National Wildlife Refuge.
5. Stillwater: Located in north-central Oklahoma near Payne County Lake, Stillwater is known for being home to one of the biggest universities in the state—Oklahoma State University—as well as Boomer Lake Park and Sheerar Museum of Stillwater History.
