Oklahoma is a U.S. state that is located in the South Central region of the United States. It is the 20th most extensive and the 28th most populous of the 50 United States. The state's name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning "red people", and it is known informally by its nickname "The Sooner State". Formed by the combination of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory on November 16, 1907, Oklahoma was the 46th state to enter the Union. Its capital and largest city is Oklahoma City, and its residents are known as Oklahomans or, informally, "Okies". Oklahoma is somewhat shaped like a dustpan. Its state song is known as "Oklahoma" from the 1943 titular Broadway musical. In 1953, the Oklahoma legislature chose it as the state song of Oklahoma and is the only official state song from a Broadway musical.
A major producer of natural gas, oil, and agriculture, Oklahoma relies on an economic base of aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology. It has one of the fastest growing economies in the nation, ranking among the top states in per capita income growth and gross domestic product growth. Oklahoma City and Tulsa serve as Oklahoma's primary economic anchors, with nearly 60 percent of Oklahomans living in their metropolitan statistical areas.
With small mountain ranges, prairie, and eastern forests, most of Oklahoma lies in the Great Plains and the U.S. Interior Highlands — a region especially prone to severe weather. In addition to having a prevalence of English, German, Scottish, Irish, and Native American ancestry, more than 25 Native American languages are spoken in Oklahoma, the most of any state.
Oklahoma lies partly in the Great Plains near the geographical center of the 48 contiguous states. It is bordered on the east by Arkansas and Missouri, on the north by Kansas, on the northwest by Colorado, on the far west by New Mexico, and on the south and near-west by Texas.
Films and shows
- Summer of the Monkeys
- White Wilderness
- Tex
- Hidalgo
- So Weird
- Teacher's Pet: The Movie (mentioned)
- Loki - "Glorious Purpose", "Ouroboros", "Breaking Brad", and "Science-Fiction"
- The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - "Old Towne Road"
- Echo
Cities and locations
- Oklahoma City (capital)
- Tulsa
- Salina
People born in Oklahoma
- Mary Blair
- Garth Brooks
- Kristin Chenoweth
- Danny Cooksey
- Richard Erdman
- James Garner
- Bill Hader
- Sammi Hanratty
- T. Hee
- Pat Hogan
- Rance Howard
- Ron Howard
- James Marsden
- Reba McEntire
- Vera Miles
- Olivia Munn
- Clarence Nash
- Jerry Nelson
- Ted Osborne
- Lee Pace
- Wes Studi
- Carrie Underwood
- Sarah Vowell
- Beau Weaver
- Alfre Woodard
Gallery
External links
