Texas is a large state in the Southwest region of the United States. The state is so large, it ranks as the second-largest state in America in land mass, surpassing even some major countries, such as France, Germany and Japan. It borders Mexico to the south, New Mexico to the west, Oklahoma to the north and Arkansas and Louisiana to the east. Texas has a wide range of geographic terrains, which vary from deserts to plains to mountains. The Chihuahuan Desert is located to the south, just west of the Pecos River. The Rocky Mountains jut into West Texas to form Big Bend, a popular attraction and national park. However, Texas is primarily known for its vast expanse of plains and grasslands.
Texas is renowned for having an affordable cost of living when compared to the average median income. According to the United States Census Bureau, home ownership rates from 2005 to 2009 averaged 64.7 percent. The median value of a housing unit was $118,900 compared to a national average of $185,400. As of August 2011, the state has a moderately low taxation policy. The state government does not collect personal income taxes and corporations are offered tax exemptions. Residents are still responsible for federal income taxes, property taxes and sales taxes.
The Texas education system is managed by a government agency called the Texas Education Agency, or TEA. The TEA wields a great deal of power over the school system. In 1993, the TEA adopted an education taxation plan called the Robin Hood Plan. Property tax revenues collected in wealthy neighborhoods are distributed in low-income neighborhoods to foster educational growth. Students are required to take a statewide standardized test called the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, or TAKS. In lieu of taking TAKS, high school students must pass exams at the end of their courses to graduate to the next grade level. Texas’ school rankings often vary based on the county and the facilitator; however, the statewide graduation rate was 71 percent in 2008.
Texas is often recognized as having a fairly moderate climate. However, the state consists of so many climatic zones that it’s often hard to categorize the state with just one. North Texas has cold winter temperatures that drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes bringing snowfall. Central and East Texas have a milder winter with temperatures ranging from the 30s to mid-40s. Temperatures rise in the summer, averaging around the 80s in the mountains and exceeding 100 degrees near Rio Grande Valley. Texas also averages approximately 139 tornadoes a year, which is more than any other state.
As of August 2011, Texas enjoys a steady market for job opportunities. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate was 8.4 percent in July 2011, compared to a national average of 9.4 percent. The median household income was $48,286 in 2009, with 17.1 percent of its population living below the poverty level. Its largest industries include agriculture, energy, technology, biomedical science and aerospace.
