Texas

• Snow falls multiple times each winter in the Panhandle and mountainous areas of West Texas, once or twice a year in North Texas, and once every few years in Central and East Texas. Snow rarely falls south of San Antonio or on the coast except in rare circumstances. Of note is the 2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm was the first recorded White Christmas in Houston where 6 inches (150 mm) of snow fell as far south as Kingsville, where the average high temperature in December is 65° F. • Maximum temperatures in the summer months average from the 80s °F (26 °C) in the mountains of West Texas and on Galveston Islandto around 100 °F (38 °C) in the Rio Grande Valley, but most areas of Texas see consistent summer high temperatures in the 90 °F(32 °C) range.
As of 2008, Texas had a gross state product (GSP) of $1.224 trillion, the second highest in the U.S. Texas's economy is the fourth largest in the world of country subdivisions behind England (as part of the UK), California and Tokyo Prefecture. Its Per Capita personal income in 2009 was $36,484, ranking 29th in the nation. Texas's large population, abundance of natural resources, and diverse population and geography have led to a large and diverse economy. Since oil was discovered, the state's economy has reflected the state of the petroleum industry.
• The large size of Texas and its location at the intersection of multiple climate zones gives the state highly variable weather. The Panhandle(柄 状的狭长区域) of the state has colder winters than North Texas, while the Gulf Coast（墨西哥 湾岸地区） has mild winters. • Texas has wide variations in precipitation patterns. El Paso, on the western end of the state, averages as little as 8 inches (200 mm) of annual rainfall while Houston, on the southeast Texas averages as much as 54 inches (1,400 mm) per year.Dallas in the North Central region averages a more moderate 37 inches (940 mm) per year.
• Black Americans are the largest racial minority in Texas. Blacks of both Hispanic and non-Hispanic origin make up 11.5% of the population; blacks of non-Hispanic origin form 11.3% of the populace. Black Americans of both Hispanic and non-Hispanic origin number at roughly 2.7 million individuals. • Native Americans are a smaller minority in the state. Native Americans make up 0.5% of Texas' population, and number over 118,000 individuals.
• As of 2009, the state has an estimated population of 24,782,406, an increase of 1.97% from the prior year and 16.1% since the year 2000. • Racial groups and ethnic origins • According to the 2006–2008 American Community Survey, the racial and ethnic composition of Texas was the following: • White: 71.4% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 47.8%) • Black or African American: 11.5% • Native American: 0.5% • Asian: 3.4% • Pacific Islander: 0.1% • Some other race: 11.3% • Two or more races: 1.9% • Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 35.9%
• White Americans are the racial majority in Texas. However, non-Hispanic whites represent roughly 48% of the population; therefore, Texas is a minority-majority state. Just over 17,020,000 Texans are white (both non-Hispanic and Hispanic), and roughly 11.4 million are non-Hispanic whites. German, Irish, and English Americans are the three largest European ancestry groups in Texas. German Americans make up 11.3% of the population, and number over 2.7 million members. Irish Americans make up 8.2% of the population, and number over 1.9 million members. English Americans make up 7.7% of the population, and number over 1.8 million members. There are roughly 600,000French Americans and 472,000 Italian Americans residing in Texas; these two ethnic groups make up 2.5% and 2.0% of the population respectively.
Texas has the most farms and the highest acreage in the United States. Texas leads the nation in livestock production. Cattle is the state's most valuable agricultural product, and the state leads nationally in production of sheep and goat products. Texas leads the nation in production of cotton.The state grows significant amounts of cereal crops and produce. Texas modules after being harvested in Cottonhas a large commercial fishing industry. With mineral resources, Texas leads in creating West Texas cement, crushed stone, lime, salt, sand and gravel.
• Texas is the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to theCaddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in East Texas. Located in the South Central United States, Texas is bordered by Mexico to the south. • Texas has an area of 268,820square miles (696,200 km2), and a growing population of 25.1 million residents. • Houston is the largest city in Texas and while San Antonio(圣安 东尼奥市) is the second largest in the state and seventh largest in the United States.