Oklahoma

Oklahoma, state in the southwestern United States; bordered by Colorado and Kansas to the north, Missouri and Arkansas to the east, the Red River to the south, Texas to the south and west, and New Mexico to the west.

Land and climate

Oklahoma's topography varies immensely. There are broad, flat plains in the west, rolling hills in the center, and mountain ranges in the east. In some areas, the soil is fertile; in others, it is only loose sand. The western panhandle, including the state's highest point, lies in the Great Plains region. From there, the land slopes eastward into a central lowland. In the northeast lies the hilly Ozark Plateau; the Ouachita Mountains lie in the southeast. All of Oklahoma's large rivers—the 2 greatest being the Red and the Arkansas—are part of the Mississippi River system. There are about 300 small lakes, 100 natural and 200 artificial. Forests cover about one-fifth of the state. Oklahoma's climate varies considerably but, in general, it is mild and dry. Principal cities are Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Economy

Wholesale and retail trade, mining, and manufacturing lead Oklahoma's economy. Chief mining products are natural gas, petroleum, coal, crushed stone, gypsum, iodine, and sand and gravel. Chief manufactured goods are nonelectrical machinery, fabricated metal products, and rubber and plastic products. Agriculture is less important to Oklahoma's economy. Beef cattle are the most important agricultural product; wheat and hay are the chief crops.

Government

Oklahoma's constitution was adopted in 1907. The governor serves a 4-year term. The state's legislature consists of 48 senators serving 4-year terms and 101 representatives serving 2-year terms. In the U.S. Congress, Oklahoma is represented by 2 senators and 6 representatives.

History

Several Indian tribes lived in the area when the first Europeans, led by Spanish explorer Coronado, came through in 1541. Oklahoma was among the lands that La Salle claimed for France in 1682. France ceded it to Spain, 1762–1800, then sold it to the U.S. under the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. In 1819, most of Oklahoma became part of the Arkansas Territory. In 1834, the land was designated as Indian Territory, and several tribes from the East were forced from their homelands to settle there. The arduous 1838 journey of the Cherokee from Georgia to Oklahoma is known as “the Trail of Tears.” The immigrant Five Civilized Tribes set up a representative government, schools and churches, and farms. During the Civil War, the Five Civilized Tribes' loyalties were split between the Union and the Confederacy. After the war, railroads and cattle drives brought a boom of white settlers sooner than the law allowed (giving Oklahoma its nickname). Over time, the government opened more Oklahoma land to homesteading whites in great “land rushes.” Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907. During the 1920s, Oklahoma was torn by border disputes and Ku Klux Klan terrorism. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, severe drought forced thousands of farmers—called “Okies”—from the “Dust Bowl.” Recovery came with World War II. The 1960s brought new industries and construction projects. The oil boom of the 1970s collapsed during the 1980s, forcing Oklahoma to seek new ways to combat its unemployment problems.