How Wide Is Texas? Total Distance from East to West

If you take a look at a map of the United States, one of the 50 states stands out due to its enormous size. Surprisingly, Texas, also known as The Lone Star State, isn’t the widest state in the country. 

With a width of 773 miles from East to West, it comes in second to beautiful Hawaii, which is well over 1,000 miles wide. With Alaska taking the top spot for the longest North to South, Texas still shines with over 800 miles from one end to another. 

Becoming Part of the United States

James K. Polk, the 11th president of the United States, presided over the country’s largest geographical expansion on record.  Polk achieved this by annexing Texas in 1845, concluding the Mexican-American War in 1848, and negotiating the Oregon Treaty with Great Britain in 1846.

President Martin van Buren decided against acquiring Texas following Texas’ triumphant fight for freedom from Mexico in 1836 because the Mexicans warned of war. As a result, even though the United States granted Texas diplomatic acknowledgment, it did not take any more annexation-related activity until 1844.

This is when President John Tyler reopened discussions with the Republic of Texas. Tyler’s efforts succeeded on April 12 in a Treaty of Annexation, which led to Mexico and the United States cutting off diplomatic ties. 

Geography of Texas

Several rivers form the Texas border. The River Sabine is a portion of the Texas-Louisiana boundary. The Texas-Arkansas and Texas-Oklahoma boundaries both include the Red River. Texas and the sections where it meets Mexico are separated by the Rio Grande. 

The Lonestar State has 3,700 identified streams and 15 notable rivers. The most significant river in Texas is the Rio Grande. The Rio Bravo, often referred to as the Rio Grande River in America, is a river that stretches 1,885 miles and is part of the country’s fourth-longest river system.

Although there are not many natural lakes in the state, the residents have built more than a hundred manmade reservoirs.

Overall Size of Texas

With a total area of around 268,581 square miles, Texas is the second-largest state in the US. The median length and width of the state are roughly 790 miles and 773 miles, respectively. Texas, immediately following Zambia and Chile would be the 43rd largest country in the world if it were a separate country. 

This southern state comes in  27th among all states in the world in terms of size. From the mouth of the Rio Grande River to the northwest end of the Panhandle, with a length of slightly over 800 miles, is the longest continuous stretch in the state.

Texas takes up around 7% of the country’s total land and water area. There are nearly 30 million people that call the Lone Star State home. Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas are the cities with the highest populations. 

Some notable famous people are among these Texan residents. Joe Rogan, Matthew McConaughey, Beyonce, and Sandra Bullock are a handful of the most well-known Texans. 

Wildlife in Texas

There are plenty of animal species that live throughout the massive state. Texas is abundant in natural beauty and home to a wide variety of species, from the dense forests in the East, and from the Trans-Pecos deserts to the barrier islands of the Coastal Bend.  

Within its borders, Texas is home to several native and exotic animal and bird species. Specifically, there are 142 animal species and 540 bird species in the state. Texas is renowned for having more livestock than any state in the country! 

An insectivorous animal found throughout Texas is the nine-banded armadillo. It possesses a sharp set of claws and a leathery shell. It is present all over the state. The Texas Longhorn cow breed is well-known for its unusual upward-growing horns. The horns can reach a height of seven feet from one side to another.

They are typically raised for their extremely lean meat, which is minimal in fat and cholesterol. The most prevalent bat in Texas is the Mexican free-tailed bat.  Did you know that Texas is the state with the most bats? The Lonestar State is home to over 32 species.

The Texas Rate Snake is a non-venomous slithery serpent. It is thin and can reach lengths of around five feet. The Texas Rat Snake can be found in a range of habitats, including prairies, swamps, rocky gorges, and woodlands.

Final Thoughts

Although Texas isn’t the largest state in the country, it gives the majority of other states a run for their money. There’s a lot to love about this southern state apart from its impressive geography. 

Whether you’re looking for an inclusive city like Austin, mouth-watering food, or just a good time at the rodeo, Texas has something for everyone. Plus, who wouldn’t love to see all of the animals that roam about? 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com