Texans have an inherent state of pride that no other state can compare. Most certainly, people from other states do not understand why Texans are so proud of their home. It’s something that is bred into them. If you’re curious as to why Texas are so prideful of their state, here are the reasons why:

1. Texas has a lot going on, geographically.

It has grasslands, woods, rolling hills, lakes, oceans, and forests. There are piney woods in the east Texas, mountainous desert in the West, the flat lands in the panhandle, the canyons in Big Bend, the, and of course, the saltwater shores in its coasts. If you travel all around Texas, you’ll feel like traveling in different states.

2. Texas is the second largest state.

Texas is really big – it’s actually bigger that all countries in Europe! It prides itself as the second largest state, next to Alaska. Due to its massive size, driving through Texas is a Herculean task.

3. Texas has seven distinct regions, each with different natural resources.

Texas is so wide and diverse. Its regions offer a different landscape that would appeal to nature and culture lovers from all over the world. Each region offers different natural resources, allowing Texas to be one of the most self-sufficient states in the country.

There’s the Big Bend Country and Hill Country full of Bob Ross-style natural landscapes, the Panhandle and South Texas plains oozing with frontier history and expansive ranches, the Gulf Coast with beaches and birding trails, the Piney Woods filled with forests and streams, and the Prairies and Lakes Region bustling with freshwater, vibrant nightlife and culture.

4. Texas was once its own country.

Texas was once called the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1846. It’s the only state in the country that was an independent nation before joining the union. The first president of Texas was Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas.”

5. Texas has a chock-full of interesting and important history.

Texas has a lot of history. A lot. The reason Texans are so proud of their home state is because their roots run deep. The recorded history of Texas began with the arrival of the first Spanish conquistadors. It was colonized by other Europeans and became a part of Mexico before it gained independence. The history of Texas is long and complicated, but it had a lot of important events that made its citizens proud.

6. Three US presidents were born from Texas.

Only 21 states have the distinction of being the birthplace to at least one of the presidents in the United States. The Lone Star State is where Lyndon Johnson, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush were born. Only three other states can boast more than Texas. Texas has been and still is the home to some of the most famous politicians of all time.

7. Texans are satisfied with state taxes and state government.

Texas is considered a tax-friendly state because the state doesn’t collect any income taxes from its citizens. Also, the majority of Texas residents say they have a fair amount and great deal of trust in their state government, making it one of the states with the highest trust in the state government. The government basically stays out of the people’s lives, and Texans enjoy that freedom without the government breathing down their necks.

8. Texas contributed a lot of art and culture to the world.

Another major point of pride for Texans is all the art and culture it has contributed to the rest of the world – from cowboy culture in films and TV to early depictions of the Wild West, country music, household names like Beyoncé and Willie Nelson, and festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest.

9. Texas exemplifies the Western mindset.

You know the Texan stereotype of old, rugged, mustached cowboys in the Wild West? Well, Texans retain this sense of rugged individualism with everything they do. People take pride in being able to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and get things done. Also, Texas is the only place where you can see a horse next to a Tesla on the road.

10. Texas has some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.

One thing that holds true pretty much everywhere you go in the vast state of Texas – people are friendly and approachable. Being raised in Texas makes you wave and say “Howdy” to everyone, and if you do it in other parts of the country, it will make people look at you like you’re crazy. In other parts of the country, being extra friendly is odd, but if you’re in Texas, being rude and snobbish is somewhat surprising behavior.

11. Tradition is strong in Texas.

Down to religion and local cultural customs, tradition is strong down in Texas. Unlike other parts of the United States, Texan families choose to stay put in their hometown, with generations before and after them remaining close by. It keeps them in a cohesive bond from one generation to generation, further fueling the citizens’ sense of local pride. People take pride in their heritage and hometowns through keeping traditions intact.

12. Texas has a strong identity, with state history being taught in schools.

In Texas, students don’t only learn about the history of the United States. The education curriculum in the state doubles down on teaching about the Lone Star State, as elementary students have Texas history as one of their subjects, and state law requires that the Texas Pledge of Allegiance to be recited at the school on a daily basis. This gives every Texan a strong identity in its state in comparison to other parts of the country.

13. Football is practically a religion in Texas.

Professional football is highly popular in Texas, and the state is home to two NFL teams: the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. The game is more than a sport in the Lone Star State – it’s basically a religion. Friday Night Lights wasn’t joking or exaggerating when it comes to how serious the sport is in the South. Football is a big part of Texas culture and it’s something that Texans dutifully live, breathe and die by.

So, it’s only fitting that high school football stadiums in the state match the fervor that Texans have for the game. High school stadiums in Texas aren’t your basic fields with scraped goalposts – they come equipped with professional, high-definition jumbotrons to match the jumbo-sized pride that runs through the veins of Texas. And speaking of stadiums, the state is home to some of the largest high school football stadiums in the US and even in the world.

14. Texas has world-renowned barbeque.

Many regions in the United States claim to offer the best barbeque in the country. North Carolina, Memphis, and Kansas City all boast proudly of their BBQ prowess, but for many lovers of pork ribs, brisket and sausage, there’s only one state that rises above the others, and that’s Texas.

Texas BBQ is world-renowned and imitated in different parts of the world. Beef brisket and pork are considered as the state’s specialty, but in some instances, Texas barbeque is merged with Tex-Mex cuisine, which is quite another state mainstay. In Texas, you can find a lot of barbeque restaurant that offers tacos and guacamole alongside spare ribs and brisket sandwiches.