Description: This map shows boundaries of countries, states boundaries, the state capital, counties, county seats, cities, towns, Gulf of Mexico, islands and national parks in Texas. Texas.gov is the official website of the State of Texas. From here, we’ll guide you to online services, resources, and information around our great state.

Understanding the Context

Welcome to the state of Texas. Here you'll find a variety of things to do throughout our 7 regions. Find trip planning resources, hotels and special offers. Texas by Texas (TxT for short) is an even easier, faster, and more secure way to take care of your Texas government services like driver license renewal and vehicle registration renewal.

Key Insights

Texas, the second-largest U.S. state in both area and population, borders the states of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. To its southwest lies the country of Mexico, and to the southeast, the Gulf of Mexico. The vastness and diversity of Texas are evident in nearly all aspects of its physical features, economy, history, and cultural life. The territory of Texas was part of the Spanish Empire for more than a century.

Final Thoughts

Discover culturally rich cities, tour historic sites like the Alamo or take a stroll along sandy beaches; there’s no shortage of things to do in Texas. Some regions in Texas are more associated with the American Southeast (primarily East Texas, Central Texas, and North Texas). The Panhandle is part of the Great Plains and is considered by many to have more in common with parts of the Midwest than either the South or Southwest. Planning a Lone Star getaway? We ranked the 18 best places to visit in Texas for 2026, from Austin's Hill Country to the quiet beaches of Port Aransas.