Oklahoma was nicknamed the “Sooner State” for its early settlers. In 1889, a day was chosen in which the state’s land was being given away on a first come, first serve brand of distribution. Some eager settlers cheated by slipping in before the others and claimed the best land. These people were nicknamed “Sooners.” Perhaps it was an unfair advantage, but really, who could blame them for taking advantage of such a marvelous stake of property.
      Approximately 3.5 million people call Oklahoma home. The state is particularly known for its Native American population as well as its historic roots. Oklahoma’s Native American ancestry is the theme of many of their festivals and annual celebrations. There are a variety of museums also devoted to the preservation of their unique history. Other cultural celebrations include the annual German Oktoberfest in Tulsa and Italian festivals in the McAlester and Krebs neighborhoods, just to name a few.
      Oklahoma’s wide open prairies, signature rich red soil and mild year-round climate, was an ideal place of settlement in the 18th century. Since then, the state’s quality of life has only improved. Oklahoma’s terrain is considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to be the most diverse in the nation.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The Sooner State State Capital: Oklahoma City State Flower: Mistletoe State Bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Covering nearly 70,000 square miles of the south central U.S, Oklahoma’s landscape boasts the grand mountain ranges of the Oachitas, Arbuckles, Wichitas and Kiamichis, as well as several smaller formations and a portion of the Ozark Mountains. There are also 200 man-made lakes, over 2,000 miles of shoreline and more than a quarter of the state is covered in lush forest. With an average temperature just over 60 degrees, the climate varies depending upon the region’s landscape.
      The eastern portion of the state is the most mountainous,

which makes for more precipitation than in the western portion. With Tulsa as its main metropolitan area, this part of the state is often referred to as Green Country, its verdant fields and foothills benefiting from the 40-plus inches of rain they receive each year. Home to most of the state’s parks and trails, nature-lovers and farmers find this to be an ideal locale.
      The state capital of Oklahoma City resides in the central region, where the landscape varies between prairies and oak forests. The western-most region of Oklahoma experiences a typical semi-arid desert climate with little rainfall. Oklahoma has some of the most spectacular thunderstorms in the world due to cold and warm air masses colliding east of the Rocky Mountains. It also has Mount Cavanal, the highest hill in the world, measuring in at 1,999 feet.
      Oklahoma City’s metropolitan region is the largest in the state. A system of underground tunnels connects a network of pedestrian paths, providing efficient access to all of downtown. Renovation over the last decade has yielded a wealth of new eateries, theaters, beautiful parks, museums and shops that line the clean downtown streets. Nearby, Bricktown entertainment district is home to additional fine dining and an assortment of recreational facilities. Some of the many corporate and regional headquarters found here are SBC, The Hertz Corporation and AOL.

      Tulsa is the second largest city in the state and boasts the moniker of “America’s Most Beautiful City,” as it is referred to in publications from time to time. The City of Tulsa is lush with verdant native flora and steeped in art and culture, as the city invests millions of dollars each year on public art. Tulsa architecture is influenced by art deco and features a wealth of art museums and galleries. In 2005, Tulsa was selected as one of America’s Most Livable Cities. Other notable cities include Bartlesville, Lawton and Tulsa’s largest suburb, Broken Arrow.
      Oklahoma produces much of the country’s natural gas. Additional industries supporting the state’s economy are agriculture, finance, government, air craft manufacturing, food production and technology. Oklahoma farms produce cattle and dairy products as well as wheat, cotton and poultry. Fragrant pecan or peach groves are not uncommon in this the fertile plain region either.
      Oklahoma has 43 colleges and universities, including the University of Oklahoma and Cameron University in Lawton. Interstate highways in Oklahoma include I-35, which crosses the state from north to south, I-40, running east to west and I-44, which enters Oklahoma in the northeast and leaves the state toward the southwest. These highways all run through Oklahoma City.