Oklahoma
The Sooner State
Capital: Oklahoma City
Statehood: 1907 (the 46th state)
Size: About 69,899 square miles (181,037 sq km).
Capital population: Oklahoma City has about 695,000 people.
State population: About 4.0 million people (2023).See the 10 biggest cities →State bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
State tree: Eastern Redbud
State flower: Oklahoma Rose
Climate
Warm with hot summers and cool winters. Summer highs reach about 93F (34C). It sits in Tornado Alley, so strong spring storms and twisters can happen.
Main industries
Pumps oil and natural gas, raises cattle, and grows wheat. It also builds aircraft parts and has a strong aviation business.
Top places for tourists
Historic Route 66; the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum; and many sites that tell the story of Native American nations.
Places of interest
The Oklahoma City National Memorial, which honors the victims of a 1995 bombing, and the old road signs and diners along Route 66.
A little history
Oklahoma was Indian Territory before it became the 46th state in 1907. Settlers raced to claim land in famous land runs.
Fun fact
The first parking meter and the shopping cart were both invented in Oklahoma.