Texas, the ‘Lone Star State’, is the second-largest state in the USA, covering more than 695,676 sq km (268,600 sq miles). Spain was the first European power to lay claim to Texas; the State also flew the flags of France and Mexico before gaining its independence in 1836. Texas borders Mexico along the Rio Grande and embraces vast mountain ranges and canyons to the west; lakes, plantations and pine forests to the east; broad plains to the north; citrus groves, Gulf of Mexico beaches and low-lying alluvial plains to the south; and rolling hill country and clear natural springs at its heart. Its great wealth stems from its vast oil reserves. It has several booming cities: Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and its capital city, Austin.

Texas can be divided into five regions: west, east, central, south and north. Western Texas is the least populated, driest and most mountainous. This area is comprised of land south of New Mexico and along the Rio Grande River. Northern Texas is a land of ranching and agriculture. The life zones in the region belong to those of the semiarid desert. Central Texas contains the Colorado River Valley and is split between the Edwards Plateau, Hill Country and lower plains. Eastern Texas is the most populated area of the state, containing Fort Worth, Dallas and Houston. This is the greenest area of the state. Southern Texas is comprised of the Rio Grande Valley and Plain and the Gulf Coast Coastal Plain. The area is bordered by water in the east and Mexico in the west. The Gulf Coast, and its barrier islands, provides a large recreation area, that includes Padre Island National Seashore.

Recreation opportunities in Texas mirror the vast land and diverse environments of the state. Highlights within the state include water sports along Padre Island National Seashore and backcountry experiences in Big Ben National Park. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and camping are popular in the National Forests of eastern Texas.