Oklahoma State Facts & Information

Oklahoma is called "the Sooner State." The nickname comes from the 1889 Land Run when the U.S. government opened approximately 2 million acres of land for settlement. Some people entered the land before the designated time and were dubbed "sooners." The University of Oklahoma's football team adopted "Sooners" as its nickname in 1908, and the expression was then embraced as a nickname for the entire state.

Oklahoma's economy relies on aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology. The state is a major producer of natural gas, oil, and agricultural products. Natural gas production has now surpassed oil production. Major industries include oil refining, meat packing, food processing, and machinery manufacturing (especially construction and oil equipment). Oil and gas extraction contributed 8.4% to Oklahoma's GDP in 2023. Oklahoma City and Tulsa serve as the state's primary economic anchors, with nearly two-thirds of Oklahomans living within their metropolitan areas.

Oklahoma covers an area of 69,899 square miles, making it the 20th most extensive state. The state borders Colorado and Kansas to the north, Missouri and Arkansas to the east, Texas to the south and west, and New Mexico to the west of its Panhandle region. Oklahoma has the largest number of human-made lakes of any state, with more than 200 of them. As of 2024, Oklahoma had more than 4,700 dams, about 20% of all dams in the U.S. The state has 77 counties.

Popular attractions include the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, and the Cherokee Cultural Center with a restored Cherokee village. Route 66 runs diagonally across Oklahoma with more miles than in any other state, featuring museums like the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum and quirky attractions like the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Turner Falls Park in Davis features Oklahoma's largest waterfall at 77 feet. The Center of the Universe in downtown Tulsa is known for its acoustic anomaly. Lake Texoma is a major recreation area, and there is pari-mutuel horse racing at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma has been home to many modern inventions of everyday life. The world's first installed parking meter was in Oklahoma City on July 16, 1935. Carl C. Magee of Oklahoma City is generally credited with inventing the parking meter. Oklahoma is also credited with the invention of the shopping cart and the aerosol can. These innovations have had lasting impacts on daily life worldwide.

According to the 2020 U.S. census, 14.2% of Oklahomans identify as American Indians, the highest Indigenous population by percentage in any state. The state name is derived from the Choctaw words "okla" and "humma," meaning "red people." Oklahoma has a rich Native American heritage with multiple tribal nations represented throughout the state, and visitors can explore this heritage at sites like the Cherokee Cultural Center and restored villages.

Per square mile, Oklahoma has the most tornadoes in the country. The state is located in "Tornado Alley," a region particularly prone to severe weather and tornadic activity. This makes storm preparedness an important aspect of life in Oklahoma, and the state has developed robust warning systems and safety protocols. Despite this challenging weather pattern, Oklahoma's climate also provides benefits for agriculture and contributes to the state's diverse landscape.

College wrestling has a strong tradition in Oklahoma. Oklahoma State University has the most NCAA national championships of any collegiate team with 34 titles, while the Oklahoma Sooners have 7 NCAA wrestling titles. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is headquartered in Stillwater. Additionally, Oklahoma has been home to more astronauts than any other state, showcasing the state's contributions to space exploration and aeronautics.