The lands that make up Oklahoma today were added to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Throughout the 19th century, the United States government relocated Native American tribes from the southeastern United States to the area, and by 1900, more than 30 Native American tribes had been moved to what was originally called the Indian Territories.
At the same time, Texas ranchers began moving into the area in search of new grazing lands, and the government eventually opened the land to settlement, creating “land runs” in which settlers were allowed to cross the border at a certain hour to claim ranches.
Settlers who broke the law and crossed the border earlier than allowed were referred to as “sooners,” which eventually became the state’s nickname. Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907, following several acts that incorporated more and more Native American tribal land into the US territory.
After its incorporation into the union, Oklahoma became a center for oil production, with much of the state’s early growth coming from that industry. During the 1930s, Oklahoma suffered from drought and high winds, destroying many farms and creating the infamous Dust Bowl of the Great Depression era.
Geography
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northeast, Arkansas to the east, Texas to the south and west, New Mexico to the west, and Colorado to the northwest. Oklahoma covers an area of 69,898 square miles and has a population of 3.9 million people.
The geography of Oklahoma can be divided into three distinct regions: the Great Plains in the west, the Ouachita Mountains in the south-central part of Oklahoma, and the Ozark Plateau in eastern Oklahoma. The Great Plains are characterized by rolling hills and flat grasslands with few trees or other vegetation. This region is home to some of Oklahoma’s most fertile farmland as well as some of its major cities such as Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
The Ouachita Mountains are located in southeastern Oklahoma and are part of a larger mountain range that extends from Texas into Arkansas. This region features rugged terrain with steep hillsides covered in dense forests. The highest point in Oklahoma is located here at Black Mesa which stands at 4,973 feet above sea level.
The Ozark Plateau is located in eastern Oklahoma near Arkansas and Missouri borders. It is characterized by rolling hills covered with thick deciduous forests that provide habitat for many species of wildlife including deer, turkey, bobcats, raptors and more. This region also contains numerous lakes perfect for fishing or boating activities including Lake Tenkiller which covers over 13 thousand acres of land with over three hundred miles of shoreline!
Oklahoma also contains several rivers including The Arkansas River which runs through much of central-eastern Oklahoma before joining with The Mississippi River at its delta near Louisiana; The Canadian River which forms much of southern border between Texas and Oklahoma; The Red River which forms part of northern border between Texas and Oklahoma; The Cimarron River which runs through western parts of both Kansas & Oklahoma; And finally The North Canadian River which runs through central parts of both Kansas & Oklahoma before joining up with The Arkansas River near Tulsa!
Overall, geography plays an important role for both residents & visitors alike when it comes to experiencing all that this great state has to offer! From its vast plains & rolling hillsides found throughout much western parts – To its rugged mountains & deep forests found throughout eastern regions – There’s something for everyone no matter what their interests may be.
Cities in Oklahoma
Below are the top 15 cities by population in Oklahoma. For all cities and towns in the state, please see Oklahoma cities list.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City | 673,183 |
| 2 | Tulsa | 410,652 |
| 3 | Norman | 125,745 |
| 4 | Broken Arrow | 112,751 |
| 5 | Edmond | 93,522 |
| 6 | Lawton | 91,247 |
| 7 | Moore | 62,633 |
| 8 | Midwest City | 58,146 |
| 9 | Enid | 51,129 |
| 10 | Stillwater | 48,055 |
| 11 | Owasso | 37,559 |
| 12 | Muskogee | 37,214 |
| 13 | Bartlesville | 37,074 |
| 14 | Shawnee | 31,237 |
| 15 | Bixby | 28,091 |
Counties in Oklahoma
The State of Oklahoma consists of 77 counties. They are:
- Adair County, Oklahoma
- Alfalfa County, Oklahoma
- Atoka County, Oklahoma
- Beaver County, Oklahoma
- Beckham County, Oklahoma
- Blaine County, Oklahoma
- Bryan County, Oklahoma
- Caddo County, Oklahoma
- Canadian County, Oklahoma
- Carter County, Oklahoma
- Cherokee County, Oklahoma
- Choctaw County, Oklahoma
- Cimarron County, Oklahoma
- Cleveland County, Oklahoma
- Coal County, Oklahoma
- Comanche County, Oklahoma
- Cotton County, Oklahoma
- Craig County, Oklahoma
- Creek County, Oklahoma
- Custer County, Oklahoma
- Delaware County, Oklahoma
- Dewey County, Oklahoma
- Ellis County, Oklahoma
- Garfield County, Oklahoma
- Garvin County, Oklahoma
- Grady County, Oklahoma
- Grant County, Oklahoma
- Greer County, Oklahoma
- Harmon County, Oklahoma
- Harper County, Oklahoma
- Haskell County, Oklahoma
- Hughes County, Oklahoma
- Jackson County, Oklahoma
- Jefferson County, Oklahoma
- Johnston County, Oklahoma
- Kay County, Oklahoma
- Kingfisher County, Oklahoma
- Kiowa County, Oklahoma
- Latimer County, Oklahoma
- Le Flore County, Oklahoma
- Lincoln County, Oklahoma
- Logan County, Oklahoma
- Love County, Oklahoma
- Major County, Oklahoma
- Marshall County, Oklahoma
- Mayes County, Oklahoma
- McClain County, Oklahoma
- McCurtain County, Oklahoma
- McIntosh County, Oklahoma
- Murray County, Oklahoma
- Muskogee County, Oklahoma
- Noble County, Oklahoma
- Nowata County, Oklahoma
- Okfuskee County, Oklahoma
- Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
- Okmulgee County, Oklahoma
- Osage County, Oklahoma
- Ottawa County, Oklahoma
- Pawnee County, Oklahoma
- Payne County, Oklahoma
- Pittsburg County, Oklahoma
- Pontotoc County, Oklahoma
- Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma
- Pushmataha County, Oklahoma
- Roger Mills County, Oklahoma
- Rogers County, Oklahoma
- Seminole County, Oklahoma
- Sequoyah County, Oklahoma
- Stephens County, Oklahoma
- Texas County, Oklahoma
- Tillman County, Oklahoma
- Tulsa County, Oklahoma
- Wagoner County, Oklahoma
- Washington County, Oklahoma
- Washita County, Oklahoma
- Woods County, Oklahoma
- Woodward County, Oklahoma
