Oklahoma is bordered by Missouri and Arkansas to the east, Texas across the Red River to the southwest, New Mexico across the narrow side of the Oklahoma Panhandle to the west, and Colorado and Kansas to the north. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado was the first Spaniard to explore the area in 1541. The United States acquired most of Oklahoma’s land in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase from France, and the western Panhandle became U.S. territory following the annexation of Texas in 1845.
In 1834, the land was officially set aside as Indian Territory. Later, on May 2, 1890, the area was divided into two territories, the Indian Territory and the Oklahoma Territory. The two were later joined to form the state of Oklahoma on November 16, 1907. The first homesteading event, known as the Land Run, took place on April 22, 1889, when approximately 50,000 settlers rushed to claim land. Oklahoma covers 69,919 square miles, or 181,090 square kilometers, and had a population of about 3.987 million people according to the 2021 census.
Oklahoma was admitted into the Union on November 16, 1907, becoming the 46th state. The capital and largest city is Oklahoma City. The state is rich in natural resources, especially oil and gas, which have been major contributors to its economy. Over the years, natural gas production has overtaken oil as the dominant industry. Other major industries include petroleum refining, meat packaging, food processing, and industrial manufacturing. The state also produces valuable minerals such as gypsum, cement, zinc, copper, coal, and silver.
Oklahoma’s agricultural industry is one of its strongest sectors. The state is known for its bumper wheat harvest and the production of crops like corn, straw, cotton, and peanuts. More than half of Oklahoma’s agricultural revenue comes from animal products such as meat, dairy, pork, and broilers. In the early 1900s, Oklahoma was a stronghold for the Democratic Party, with the Republicans winning only two presidential elections in 1920 and 1928. However, since 1952, political power shifted, and Republican presidential candidates have carried the state in every election except in 1964. Since 2000, no Democratic presidential candidate has won a single county in the state.
Oklahoma features many important landmarks. The Cherokee National Capitol, built in an Italian style, once served as the Cherokee government headquarters when Oklahoma became a state. The Oklahoma City National Memorial, covering 3.3 acres of land, is the nation’s largest memorial and was built to honor the lives lost in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
Other major landmarks in the state include the Pioneer Woman Monument, Altus Air Force Base, the Rainbow Church of God in Christ, McCurtain Indian Reservation, the Oklahoma State Capitol, Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, and the Three Sticks Monument. These sites reflect Oklahoma’s rich history, cultural pride, and resilience through challenges.
There are many things to love about Oklahoma, from its beautiful landscapes to its welcoming people. The state’s natural beauty includes Grand Lake, Lake Eufaula, and the scenic Green Mountains, which are among the state’s ecological treasures. Oklahoma’s unemployment rate stands at 4.9%, reflecting a strong job market and business opportunities. The people of Oklahoma are known for their never-quit spirit and resilience, always rising stronger no matter the challenge. Living in Oklahoma offers a fulfilling lifestyle filled with community pride and opportunity.
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