Texas. The name itself evokes images of vast landscapes, big skies, and a sense of larger-than-life proportions. It’s a state synonymous with size, but just how big is Texas? It’s a question that sparks curiosity, and the answer reveals a truly immense and impressive territory.
Texas proudly holds the title of the second-largest state in the United States, encompassing a staggering 268,597 square miles or 171,902,080 acres. To put that into perspective, Texas sprawls across an area 1.65 times greater than California. While Alaska dwarfs Texas as the largest state, being nearly 2.5 times bigger, Texas still commands a significant portion of the American map. Beyond its sheer landmass, Texas is also a powerhouse in population and economy. As of 2023, the Lone Star State is home to approximately 30.5 million residents and boasts the 8th highest GDP globally, generating a massive 2.6 trillion dollars, outperforming entire countries like Canada, Russia, and Italy.
Why Texas Achieved Such a Grand Scale
The immense size of Texas isn’t a matter of chance; it’s rooted in history. Unlike many other states formed by dividing existing territories, Texas entered the Union as an already established, expansive republic. It wasn’t carved out or subdivided upon joining the United States. In fact, historically, Texas was even more colossal, encompassing parts of present-day New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas. To fully appreciate the story behind its boundaries, delving into the rich tapestry of Texas history is essential.
Texas’s Size in Relation to the United States
To understand Texas’s prominence within the US, consider these comparisons. Texas’s 268,597 square miles constitute roughly 7% of the total 3.797 million square miles of the United States. Conversely, the US is approximately 14 times larger than Texas. Economically, Texas’s impressive 2.6 trillion-dollar economy accounts for about 9% of the entire US economy. In terms of population, the 30.5 million Texans in 2023 represent approximately 9.22% of the total US population.
Unveiling 10 Surprising Facts About Texas’s Size
Texas’s size isn’t just about square miles; it leads to some fascinating and unexpected realities:
- Population Capacity: Imagine fitting the entire world population of 7.8 billion people into Texas. Believe it or not, it’s theoretically possible, assuming the population density of New York City (27,000 per square mile).
- Country Size Comparison: If Texas were an independent nation, it would rank as the 40th largest country globally out of 193. That makes it larger than every single country in Europe.
- King Ranch’s Immensity: King Ranch, the largest ranch in both Texas and the US, spans 1,289 square miles. This single ranch is bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island.
- Speed Demon Highway: Texas boasts the fastest road in the United States, a 40-mile stretch from Austin to San Antonio with an 85 miles per hour speed limit.
- El Paso’s Surprising Distances: Geographically, El Paso is closer to Denver (637 miles) than to Houston (747 miles), highlighting the state’s vast east-west expanse.
- Pacific Proximity for El Paso: El Paso, Texas, is actually closer to the Pacific Ocean at San Diego, California, than to Texarkana, Texas, further illustrating Texas’s immense breadth.
- The “Texas Triangle” Megaregion: The “Texas Triangle,” encompassing Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, is home to over 21 million of Texas’s 30.5 million residents, showcasing population concentration within this massive state.
- DFW Airport’s Manhattan-Sized Footprint: Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, covering 27 square miles, is larger than the entire island of Manhattan.
- Highway 83’s Epic Journey: U.S. 83, the longest highway in Texas, stretches 783.5 miles. It traverses the state from Perryton on the Oklahoma border all the way to Brownsville on the Mexican border.
- Domed Capitol Grandeur: Texas houses the U.S.’s largest domed state capitol building, boasting an impressive 18 acres of floor space.
How Many States Can Texas Contain?
The sheer size of Texas becomes even more apparent when considering how many other states it could encompass. Remarkably, fifteen of the smallest US states could comfortably fit within Texas simultaneously. These include Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island. Individually, every US state, with the exception of Alaska, can be placed entirely within the borders of Texas. Even California, the third-largest state, could fit into Texas approximately 1.6 times. Rhode Island, the smallest state at a mere 1,212 square miles, could be replicated within Texas about 221 times.
Texas vs. Global Landscapes: Size Comparisons
To truly grasp the scale of Texas, comparing it to countries provides an insightful perspective.
Is Texas Bigger Than England?
Yes, definitively. England is less than one-fifth the size of Texas in land area. England covers a mere 50,346 square miles, dwarfed by Texas’s 268,597 square miles. At its widest points, England stretches only 181 miles east to west and 346 miles north to south. London, England’s capital and most populous city, is geographically smaller than Houston. However, London’s population of nearly 9 million vastly exceeds Houston’s 2.3 million. Overall, England’s population of 56.29 million surpasses Texas’s 29 million. Economically, England’s GDP is about 1.3 times larger than Texas’s, but on a per capita basis, Texas actually surpasses England.
Countries Comparable in Size to Texas
France emerges as a country remarkably close in size to Texas, with Texas being only about 8% larger. France spans 248,573 square miles compared to Texas’s 268,597 square miles. Myanmar (Burma) at 261,227 square miles and Zambia at 290,587 square miles also fall within a similar size range as Texas.
Is Texas Bigger Than the UK?
Unquestionably, yes. Texas, with its 268,597 square miles, is 2.8 times larger than the entire United Kingdom, which covers only 93,628 square miles. While the UK’s population of 67.2 million is significantly larger than Texas’s 29.2 million, and its GDP is also larger, the sheer landmass of Texas overshadows the UK.
Is Texas Bigger Than France?
As established earlier, yes, Texas is approximately 8% larger than France in land area. However, France’s population and economy are larger than Texas.
Is Texas Bigger Than Germany?
Texas is nearly twice as big as Germany. Texas’s 268,597 square miles are 94.5% larger than Germany’s 138,065 square miles. Germany, however, has a significantly larger population and economy.
Is Texas Bigger Than Japan?
Texas is about 84% larger, almost double the size of Japan. Texas covers 268,597 square miles while Japan is 145,937 square miles. The population density contrast is stark, with Japan having a population over four times larger than Texas, despite its smaller land area. Japan’s GDP is also considerably larger.
Texas vs. California: A Size Showdown
Texas is approximately 68% larger than California. Texas’s area is 268,597 square miles, compared to California’s 163,696 square miles. California, however, has a larger population and a denser population per square mile. California’s economy is also significantly larger than Texas’s.
Acres in Texas: A Closer Look at Land Measurement
Texas’s vastness is often expressed in acres as well. Texas encompasses a massive 171.902 million acres, or more precisely, 171,902,080 acres.
The Texas-Sized Drive: Crossing the State
The sheer size of Texas translates into significant travel distances.
Driving East to West Across Texas
Driving 773 miles from east to west across Texas takes approximately 11 hours of driving time alone. Factoring in essential stops for rest and refueling, a safe estimate would be an additional hour or two. A westward journey from El Paso involves traversing I-10 East, transitioning to I-20, and continuing through major Texan cities until reaching the Texas-Louisiana border. Alternatively, a flight from El Paso to Shreveport, Louisiana, near the border, takes around four hours.
For a visual sense of this immense drive, numerous time-lapse videos capture the journey across Texas on I-10, showcasing the diverse landscapes.
Driving North to South Across Texas
Traveling the 805 miles from the northernmost to southernmost points in Texas requires about 13 hours of driving. Starting in Texhoma, on the Texas-Oklahoma border, a southward route passes through Lubbock, San Antonio, and ends in Brownsville, at the southern tip of Texas. Incorporating iconic Texan stops like Buc-ee’s and Whataburger could easily extend the journey closer to 15 hours.
In conclusion, the question “How Big Is Texas?” is answered not just with numbers, but with a series of comparisons and fascinating facts that highlight the truly grand scale of this iconic state. From its landmass exceeding entire countries to its expansive driving distances, Texas lives up to its reputation as a state of truly immense proportions.
