Oklahoma - User contributions [en]

Oklahoma - User contributions [en] http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Special:Contributions/Admin From Oklahoma en MediaWiki 1.15.1 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 07:56:17 GMT Lonnie Latham http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Lonnie_Latham <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>'''The Reverend Dr. Lonnie Latham''' (born [[January 7]], [[1946]]) served as the senior pastor of South Tulsa Baptist Church, in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]], a post he held from [[2002]] to [[January 6]], [[2006]], when he resigned from that position as well as from the executive committee of the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], (where he served as one of four such members from [[Oklahoma]]), and as the recording secretary of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. His resignation came after his arrest for lewdness. He was later acquitted of the lewdness charge on March 7, 2007.<br /> <br /> ==History in the Tulsa Metro Baptist Association==<br /> Lonnie Latham was elected director of missions for the Tulsa Metro Baptist Association during their November 13-14, [[2000]] meeting. The meeting also saw the controversial adoption of the [[Baptist Faith and Message]], a pivotal document in the Southern Baptist Convention's [http://ethicsdaily.com/article_detail.cfm?AID=6311 "Conservative Resurgence."] According to one report, Latham has spoken out against expansion of [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A//www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html%3Fid%3D2701&ei=aVq9Q-W8FKWOiAG20vT3Dg&sig2=sFckUfSL6_DKepVHOEh8yA tribal gaming in Oklahoma], as well as against homosexuality. In the latter vein, he supported the SBC's adoption of a policy encouraging Baptists to befriend [[gays]] and [[lesbians]] and [http://www.exgaywatch.com/blog/index.html "convert" them to a heterosexual lifestyle.]<br /> <br /> The September 16, 2001 edition of ''Tulsa World'' describes Latham as executive director of the Tulsa Metro Baptist Association. [http://www.tulsaworld.com/assault/A_1_9_16.pdf ''Clergy see spiritual rebirth as downcast Americans ask why''] (PDF).<br /> <br /> ==Opposition to Gambling==<br /> On Tuesday, [[October 26]], [[2004]], one week before the 2004 General Election, Latham addressed the subject of State Question 712, a referendum on the expansion of tribal gaming and installation of gambling machines at three local racetracks. Speaking to attendees of the Tulsa Press Club’s “Two Views” luncheon, Latham said:<br /> :''"It grieves my heart to think we would do anything to undermine the effectiveness of the average home or the average person in our state...We don’t need gambling to help Oklahoma. What we do need is an empathetic heart toward small business. Through them, we’ll gain a true economic base for our state."''<br /> <br /> “The petition would be to allow the state’s people to vote on whether or not they want this kind of casino gambling in the state,” he said. “…. We’re hoping that we can gather not only 51,000 names but also many more who will see this as the moral issue that it is.”<br /> <br /> Latham also said the social costs of gaming outweigh its benefits, and he opposed efforts to establish a state lottery. <br /> <br /> State voters eventually approved both expanded Indian gaming and a lottery.<br /> [http://nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=7413 Native American Times 1/5/2006]<br /> <br /> ==2006 Arrest==<br /> [[Image:RevLonnieLanthamArrestPhoto.jpg|right|thumb|50px|frame|Arrest photo of Lonnie Latham, provided by Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office.]]<br /> <br /> On Tuesday, January 3, 2006, Latham was [http://www.oklahomacounty.org/cosheriff/InmateQuery/bookingdetail.asp?PERSON_ID=200058274 arrested and booked] into the Oklahoma County Jail by members of the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. The misdemeanor charge was that of "Offering to Engage In An Act of [[Lewdness]]," a charge carrying penalties of up to a year in jail and a US$2,500 fine. Reports sourced to a police department spokesman said that he had propositioned a [[plainclothes]] [[police officer]] for [[oral sex]] in an area of the community which had been the subject of public complaints of cruising related to male [[prostitution]]. <br /> <br /> Latham was arrested around 9:45 p.m. and his automobile was impounded. The arrest took place in the parking lot of [http://www.atmgallery.com/artwork/press/miller.html The Habana Inn]. Reportedly, Latham followed a plainclothes police officer's car for several blocks, ultimately pulling up beside it. Latham told the officer that he enjoyed "a particular lewd act" and then solicited the police officer to perform the act at a room Latham said he had booked at the nearby Holiday Inn Express. Latham did not offer money in exchange, so he was not charged with soliciting prostitution.<br /> <br /> Upon posting bail, Latham contested the charge to local television reporters, saying "I was set up. I was in the area pastoring to police."[http://www.channeloklahoma.com/news/5845859/detail.html]<br /> <br /> "I was involved in a prayer ministry in that area, and I had a dialogue with police," he said, according to the website of the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. "The officer made many suggestions."<br /> <br /> According to police officials, Latham made no mention of prayer, told the officer his name was "Luke," and said he was from Dallas and worked frequently in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. [http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/news/2006/01_06_2006/ne060106sbc.shtml]<br /> <br /> This was not Latham's first visit to the area. Public records show that on December 2, 1998, at about 11:30 p.m., Latham was issued a traffic ticket for "failure to stop for a stop sign" at NW 39th and Frankford. This intersection is only blocks from where Latham was arrested and serves as rear access to the Habanna Inn." http://www.johntv.com/<br /> [http://www.johntv.com/images/tickets/12-02-98-Latham_ticket.pdf PDF Document]<br /> <br /> ===Reaction within the Southern Baptist Convention===<br /> South Tulsa Baptist Church issued the following [http://stbc.net/statement.jpg statement]:<br /> <br /> "We are deeply grieved to hear the news about our pastor, Lonnie Latham. Our first concerns are with Lonnie, his family, and our church family. We will be focused on doing what we can to minister to everyone in this difficult time. Our church has a great history and a great future of ministry in this community. We would appreciate your prayers."<br /> <br /> On January 8, 2006 Rev. Lonnie Latham notified [http://www.bgco.org The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma] that he was resigning from the BGCO Board of Directors effective immediately.<br /> <br /> “We are deeply saddened by the recent events regarding Lonnie. We continue to be concerned for South Tulsa Baptist Church and the Latham family. We pray Lonnie will find healing and restoration as he seeks help for the issues he faces,” said [http://www.bgco.org/?s=25 Heidi B. Wilburn], spokeswoman for the BGCO. “Lonnie’s resignation has been accepted without the BGCO Board of Directors having to take initiative regarding the matter. Lonnie also indicated he has resigned from the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.”<br /> [http://www.channeloklahoma.com/news/5887178/detail.html Pastor Accused Of Lewdness Resigns From Convention] [http://www.pamspaulding.com/graphics/statement2.jpg]<br /> <br /> Anthony Jordan, BGCO executive director-treasurer, spoke with Baptist Press after having talked with Latham.<br /> <br /> "We have a dual responsibility," Jordan said.<br /> <br /> "From the standpoint of the church and, certainly, as brothers in Christ, we are to hold Lonnie to the biblical standard of morality and to hold him accountable for his actions." He added, "Lonnie has responded to that admonition by resigning from his church, asking their forgiveness and stepping aside to seek healing.<br /> <br /> "At the same time, in the midst of failure, the church is to be a place of restoration," he said. "That is the biblical admonition."[http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/news/2006/01_09_2006/ne090106sbc.shtml]<br /> <br /> On January 9, 2006 a letter from Latham to his congregation was released. Morris Chapman is the CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention and he says of Latham - "In spite of his denials soon after his arrest, he now acknowledges the incident did happen and that he needs help." [http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=96711]<br /> <br /> [http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_patriotboy_archive.html#113662280038532723 Dr. Charles A. Cruce], Director of Missions for The [http://www.tmabc.org Tulsa Metro Association of Baptist Churches] posted the following message:<br /> <br /> :"Our association of churches is saddened by the recent news concerning our former Executive Director, Dr. Lonnie Latham, now pastor of our own South Tulsa Baptist Church. We hurt deeply for Lonnie, for [http://www.thecourierexpress.com/weddings/2005wedding/brosius-ocker.shtml his loved ones], and for the wonderful church that he pastors. [http://www.mainstreambaptist.blogspot.com/2005/09/sbc-suffers-under-toxic-flood-of.html While we certainly do not condone this type of behavior], it is so important for us to remember that Lonnie is one of our own and our actions toward him as [http://www.sptimes.com/2005/12/16/Tampabay/Kansas_church_to_pick.shtml a fellow member of God’s Family] should be responses of [[divine grace|grace]], [[mercy]], and [[forgiveness]]. What has happened in this situation only demonstrates that we are all human, that [http://heartlandvalues.blogspot.com/2000/06/never-ending-chronicle-of-church.html we all make mistakes] and that we all fail. That is why we need a [[Savior]] who heals, who forgives, and who restores . . . that’s why we need [[Jesus]]. [http://www.tmabc.org/]<br /> <br /> ===Reaction from within the GLBT community===<br /> [[Jamie McDaniel]], a spokesperson for [http://www.soulforce.org Soulforce] who works to change the antigay polices of the SBC, said “It’s tragic that so many, like Rev. Latham, have never been told the truth that they can live with [[dignity]] and express their God-given sexuality in ways that are open, honest, loving and life-affirming. Trapped by Southern Baptist misinformation, many people of faith think their only option is to live a dark and secretive double-life. The SBC needs to be held accountable for causing this kind of needless suffering.”<br /> <br /> Writes Leslie Robinson of the gay newspaper, ''The Dallas Voice'', "Whew, good thing I’m not required to take such a high-minded approach. I appreciate that Latham has likely been suffering a long time, and that his family is in pain. But the man has been a colonel in the campaign against us, so I prefer to point, yell 'Hypocrite!' and resign myself to the fact that I won’t be on Soulforce’s Christmas-card list." [http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_1030.php]<br /> <br /> In a January 6 [[press release]], [http://www.ngltf.org The National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce] commented:<br /> <br /> "This isn't the first time he's been in the area, having [http://www.johntv.com/images/tickets/12-02-98-Latham_ticket.pdf received a traffic violation there a few years back.(PDF)] <br /> <br /> "Rev. Latham has been an outspoken opponent of...rights for<br /> [[lesbian]], [[gay]], [[bisexual]] and [[transgender]] people. And, of course,<br /> in recent years the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] - the nation's<br /> largest [[Protestant]] [[Christian denomination|denomination]] - has become increasingly<br /> [[homophobic]] and aligned itself with the worst elements of the far<br /> right in working to stop [http://www.marriageequality.org Marriage Equality] for gay people...<br /> <br /> "These kinds of situations involving anti-gay political and religious leaders being caught, literally, with their pants down are hardly uncommon. My instinctual reaction has always been one<br /> of smug satisfaction - "serves the damn [[hypocrite]] right."<br /> <br /> "...I only feel sadness for Rev. Latham and his family."<br /> <br /> ===Other Reactions===<br /> Rev. Dr. Mel White, founder of [[Soulforce]], an organization which works on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to oppose religious and political oppression, commented about Rev. Latham's arrest [http://www.soulforce.org/article/741]: "No one should have to come out via an undercover sting operation. That is its own evil. Until the Southern Baptist Convention ends their spiritual violence against gay and lesbian people, tragedies like this will continue."<br /> <br /> Rev. [[Fred Phelps]], an anti-gay Baptist minister most famous for picketing the funerals of [[Matthew Shepherd]] and [[Mister Rogers]] issued a press release on January 9th announcing a protest outside South Tulsa Baptist Church on February 15th. <br /> <br /> [http://www.godhatesfags.com/fliers/jan2006/20060105_south-tulsa-baptist.pdf WBC to picket the sodomite whorehouse (Ezek. 16:24) masquerading as South Tulsa Baptist Church, 10310 South Sheridan, Tulsa, Oklahoma(PDF Document)]<br /> <br /> Blogger [[PZ Myers]] commented, "My first thought wasn't that it was shocking that a Baptist anti-gay crusader wanted illicit sexual release, but to wonder that it is apparently illegal to simply ask for oral sex in Oklahoma. Is it coercive? Are Oklahomans all so flamingly gay (but repressed) that they can't just say no? I say, Free Lonnie Latham! He's a martyr to the suppression of the rights of gay men in Oklahoma!" [http://pharyngula.org/index/weblog/comments/stand_up_for_lonnie_latham/]<br /> <br /> ==Defense and Acquittal at Trial==<br /> On [[February 2]], [[2006]], Latham pleaded not guilty to the lewdness charge [http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=96889]. The case was then heard in a non-jury trial. [http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=1996992&db=Oklahoma]<br /> <br /> On March 7, 2007, Latham was found to be not guilty by Special Judge Roma McElwee, who said her ruling was based on the evidence and not on the issue of the constitutionality of the law in question.[http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0307/403600.html], [http://www.acluok.org/LegislatureCourts/BaptistMinister'sCaseContinues.htm], [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/07/AR2007030702267.html]<br /> <br /> Latham's attorney, [[Mack Martin]] has told reporters that what his client did was [[Constitutionally protected]] and shouldn't be a crime. “It’s like saying you’re arrested for crossing the street — so what?” Martin said. “This is a major [[First Amendment]] issue.”<br /> <br /> Mack says he feels the only reason that the court is pursuing charges is because of pressure from the media attention. <br /> <br /> But Oklahoma City District Attorney Wes Lane says, “The law in Oklahoma prohibits an individual from soliciting another to engage in what is considered a [[lewd]] act regardless of whether money is sought for or exchanged.” The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] filed a brief for Latham[http://www.aclu.org/lgbt/discrim/24032prs20060201.html], stating that the law is unconstitutional because it makes it a crime for an adult to ask another adult to engage in legal conduct.<br /> <br /> “I imagine there are a lot of people [like Latham] in the closet in his church and unfortunately his church is so anti-gay, his life is essentially destroyed. He has to be so [[closeted]]. A lot of people are in similar situations and I worry that’s [http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_suic.htm why so many young people commit suicide],” said Don Satterthwaite, spokesperson for the [http://www.ofec.org Oklahoma Freedom & Equality Coalition].<br /> <br /> ==External links==<br /> ===Affiliation with Southern Baptist Convention===<br /> *[http://www.southtulsabaptist.org/ South Tulsa Baptist Church]<br /> *[http://www.stbc.net/ImageResizeCache/0_latham_t2004.9.17.9.9.5_q70_142x200.jpg Image of Lonnie Latham from the South Tulsa Baptist Church web site Staff page]<br /> *[http://www.stbc.net/ImageResizeCache/Liturgical_t2004.9.25.21.39.17_q70_138x200.jpg Image of Lonnie Latham in clerical robes holding a Bible (from the South Tulsa Baptist Church web site)]<br /> *[http://www.baptist2baptist.net/b2barticle.asp?ID=163 Oklahomans affirm BFM, CP; adopt $21.7 million budget] <br /> *[http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/printerfriendly.asp?ID=17092 Okla. Baptists affirm CP, challenge 'New Tolerance']<br /> ===January 3, 2006 Arrest===<br /> *[http://www.johntv.com/images/tickets/12-02-98-Latham_ticket.pdf Lonnie Latham's traffic ticket (PDF Document}]<br /> *[http://www.oklahomacounty.org/cosheriff/InmateQuery/bookingdetail.asp?PERSON_ID=200058274 Lonnie Wayne Latham Booking Detail]<br /> *[http://www.johntv.com/ordinance-lewdness.htm ARTICLE VII. PROSTITUTION, PUBLIC LEWDNESS, ETC.]<br /> *[http://www.channeloklahoma.com/news/5845859/detail.html Tulsa Pastor Arrested In OKC On Lewdness Charge]<br /> *[http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2006/01/thou_shalt_not_.html Thou shalt not solicit undercover cops]<br /> *[http://www.wbir.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=31184 Prominent Baptist minister arrested in gay prostitution sting]<br /> *[http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/01/05/lewd.pastor.ap Police: Pastor propositioned officer]<br /> *[http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-01-05-pastor-arrested_x.htm Pastor who preached against gays arrested on lewdness charge]<br /> *[http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2021215&mesg_id=2021215 Oopsie! Local Baptist preacher busted for asking man for sex]<br /> *[http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0104pastor-arrested04-ON.html Pastor with anti-gay stance accused of soliciting male prostitute]<br /> *[http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=4374 Southern Baptist leader arrested for soliticing policeman]<br /> *[http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/01/010406lewdPastor.htm Anti-Gay Pastor Busted For Trying To Pick Up Male Prostitute Decoy]<br /> *[http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=7413 Anti-gaming religious leader arrested for solicitation]<br /> ===Resignation===<br /> *[http://www.channeloklahoma.com/news/5887178/detail.html Pastor Accused Of Lewdness Resigns From Convention]<br /> *[http://www.pamspaulding.com/weblog/2006/01/homo-bigot-pastor-that-offered-bj-to.html Homo-bigot pastor that offered a BJ to an undercover male cop resigns]<br /> *[http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=22401 Pastor resigns after arrest for seeking lewd behavior] (Baptist Press, [[January 6]], [[2006]])<br /> *[http://www.southernvoice.com/2006/1-20/news/national/natnews_preachers.cfm Anti-gay pastor resigns posts after arrest]<br /> <br /> ===Reaction to Arrest===<br /> *[http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/1/prweb329600.htm Rev. Lonnie Latham--Another Victim of the Southern Baptist Lie Regarding Homosexuality]<br /> *[http://heartlandvalues.blogspot.com/2000/06/never-ending-chronicle-of-church.html The never-ending chronicle of church-related crime]<br /> *[http://www.democraticunderground.com/top10/06/227.html The Top 10 Conservative Idiots (No. 227)]<br /> *[http://www.gophypocrites.com/2006/01/hyp06001.html BuzzFlash.com's GOP Hypocrite of the Week]<br /> *[http://www.bgco.org/?p={4743AE70-68B3-4162-9754-BED007E6043A}&nh={E1629723-F035-4581-A141-40FF038D528B}&sc=25&ni=547&fr=news Lonnie Latham Resigns from Baptist Board (Press release from BGCO)]<br /> *[http://www.bgco.org/?p={4743AE70-68B3-4162-9754-BED007E6043A}&nh={E1629723-F035-4581-A141-40FF038D528B}&sc=25&ni=546&fr=news Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Releases Statement Regarding Lonnie Latham (Press release from BGCO)]<br /> *[http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/news/2006/01_09_2006/ne090106sbc.shtml SBC Executive Committee member arrested (Baptist Press)]<br /> <br /> ===Defense and Trial===<br /> *[http://www.washblade.com/2006/1-20/news/national/baptist-bust.cfm Busted Baptist leader to challenge his arrest] [[January 20]], [[2006]].<br /> *[http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=96889 Former Tulsa Pastor Charged With Lewdness In Oklahoma City] Latham's [[February 2]], [[2006]] not guilty plea.<br /> <br /> ===Related===<br /> *[http://www.atmgallery.com/artwork/press/miller.html Cowpokes After Hours: Art Miller documents a homoeroticism burning beneath the highway’s neon glare]<br /> *[http://www.tbaptist.com/aaa/pbc/2004/pbc0406.html The homosexual revolution has been aided and abetted by many who are bisexual]<br /> *[http://www.mainstreambaptist.blogspot.com/2005/09/sbc-suffers-under-toxic-flood-of.html SBC Suffers Under Toxic Flood of Fundamentalism]<br /> *[http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_1030.php Straight pretenders often pay high price for hiding sexuality]<br /> *[http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid24859.asp Articles of faith]<br /> <br /> [[Category:1946 births|Latham, Lonnie]]<br /> [[Category:Living people|Latham, Lonnie]]<br /> [[Category:Baptists|Latham, Lonnie]]<br /> [[Category:LGBT people from the United States|Latham, Lonnie]]</div> Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:45:04 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Lonnie_Latham Nonspam http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Nonspam <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>sex, homosexual</div> Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:44:45 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Nonspam Main Page http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Main_Page <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>'''[[About the OKLAHOMA WIKI]]'''<br /> <br /> '''[http://editthis.info/oklahoma/Special:Recentchanges Recent Changes on Oklahoma Wiki]<br /> <br /> '''Featured Articles'''<br /> <br /> * [[Lonnie Latham]]<br /> <br /> * [[Grady the Cow]] - famous for being the 1,200-pound cow stuck inside a storage silo on a farm in Yukon, Oklahoma in 1949.<br /> <br /> * [[Round House Overalls]] - made in Shawnee, OK. Some of the only work clothes still made in the USA<br /> <br /> * [[McClain County, Oklahoma|McClain County]] - includes information about the county's biggest city, [[Newcastle, Oklahoma|Newcastle]]<br /> <br /> * [[Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty]]<br /> <br /> * [[Oklahoma City Sonic Boom Tests]]<br /> <br /> * [[Pine Ridge, Oklahoma|Pine Ridge, Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> * [[Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform]] (an article that was censored by Wikipedia --- [[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Log/delete&page=Oklahomans_for_Ballot_Access_Reform]])<br /> <br /> * [[Tri-point]] - a place where the borders of three states touch (Oklahoma has six tri-points)<br /> <br /> * [[Flag of Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> <br /> '''Oklahoma''' is a [[U.S. state|state]] located in the southern Great Plains and Eastern Woodlands regions of the United States. It is sometimes called "Native America" and the "Sooner State", and is part of a region commonly known as the American "[[Heartland]]." [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] is the state's capital and largest city. The Congressional Quarterly and Census report place Oklahoma in the Southern United States. However, since Oklahoma is near the geographic center of the U.S., the regional influences add to Oklahoma's unique character. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma became the 46th state in the Union on November 16th, 1907. The state's name comes from the [[Choctaw]] words ''okla'' meaning people and ''homma'' meaning red, literally meaning "red people"<br /> ([http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/stinfo2.html see Oklahoma State History and Information]) and was chosen by [[Allen Wright]], Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation between 1866 and 1870. <ref name="">{{cite web | last=Merserve | first=John | year=1941 | month=December | url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/chronicles/v019/v019p314.html | title=Chief Allen Wright | work=Chronicles of Oklahoma | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-07}}</ref> It is a state with a colorful history, including its days as a frontier state, it being a destination of recently freed slaves looking for opportunity and equality, and being at the heart of the oil boom in the early 20th century. <br /> <br /> Most notably, Oklahoma has the nation's second largest [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] population. In honor of its large American Indian population, and for tourism purposes, Oklahoma is called "Native America." Oklahoma's early history is intertwined with the [[Trail of Tears]], which was the forced removal of the [[Five Civilized Tribes]] from the southeastern United States to present-day Oklahoma. As a testament to the state's western and American Indian heritage, Oklahoma ([[Tulsa]]) is the home of the world-renowned [[Gilcrease Museum]], which houses the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of [[American West]]ern art and artifacts, as well as an unparalled collection of American Indian, Central and South American art, artifacts, documents, and maps. <br /> <br /> == Geography ==<br /> see also|[[list of Oklahoma counties]]|[[list of Oklahoma townships]]|[[lakes in Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> Oklahoma is one of the six states on the [[Frontier Strip]]. It is bounded on the east by [[Arkansas]] and [[Missouri]], on the north by [[Kansas]] and northwest by [[Colorado]] (both at 37°N), on the far west by [[New Mexico]] (at 103°W), and on the south and near-west by [[Texas]]. The [[panhandle|panhandle's]] southern boundary is at 36.5°N, then turning due south along 100°W to the southern fork of the [[Red River (Mississippi watershed)|Red River]]), completing the round trip back to Arkansas. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma's four main mountain ranges include the [[Ouachita Mountains|Ouachitas]], [[Arbuckle Mountains|Arbuckles]], [[Wichita Mountains|Wichitas]], and the Kiamichis. In addition to several smaller ranges, Oklahoma also notably encompasses a portion of the [[Ozarks]].<br /> <br /> The state's highest peak, 4,973 feet (1,515&nbsp;m) [[Black Mesa]], resides in the far northwestern corner of the panhandle near the town of Kenton. The lowest elevation in the state is in the far southeastern corner, near Idabel, at 324 feet (99 m). Oklahoma also has what is officially considered the highest hill in the world, Cavanal Hill, at 1,999 feet (609 m); this is considering the fact that a "mountain" is anything 2,000 feet or higher. It is located in Poteau, Oklahoma.<ref name="TravelOK">{{ cite web | url=http://www.travelok.com/about/index.asp | title=About Oklahoma | publisher=TravelOK.com | language=English | accessdate=2006-07-10 }}</ref><br /> <br /> With 200 man-made lakes, Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state and boasts over one million surface-acres of water and 2,000 more miles (3,200 km) of shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined. Lake Eufaula is the largest lake in the state, covering 102,000 surface acres (413 km²) of water. <ref name="TravelOK">{{ cite web | url=http://http://www.travelok.com/about/index.asp | title=About Oklahoma | publisher=TravelOK.com | language=English | accessdate=2006-07-10 }}</ref><br /> <br /> [[Image:National-atlas-oklahoma.PNG|thumb|300px|right|Map of Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Image:Oklahoma_population_map.png|thumb|300px|right|Oklahoma Population Density Map]]<br /> <br /> === Regions ===<br /> From an ecoregional perspective, Oklahoma is recognized by the [[Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] as having 12 different [[ecoregion]]s (one of only five U.S. states to have 10 or more ecoregions). These ecoregions are: [[Western High Plains]], [[Southwestern Tablelands]], [[Central Great Plains]], [[Flint Hills]], [[Cross Timbers]], [[East Central Texas Plain]], [[Piney Woods]], [[Ouachita Mountains]], [[Arkansas Valley]], [[Boston Mountains]], [[Ozark Highlands]], and [[Central Irregular Plains]].<br /> <br /> The Oklahoma Tourism Department divides the state down into six "countries" for tourism promotion purposes: [[Red Carpet Country]] (Northwestern Oklahoma and The Panhandle), Great Plains Country (Southwestern Oklahoma), Frontier Country (Central Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area), [[Green Country]] (Northeastern Oklahoma, including the Tulsa Metropolitan area), [[Kiamichi country]] (Southeastern Oklahoma), and [[Lake & Trail Country]] (South Central Oklahoma).<br /> <br /> Popular but "unofficial" regional designations include [[Green Country]] (most often used to refer to Northeastern Oklahoma, but used by some to refer to either all of Eastern Oklahoma or just the Tulsa Metropolitan Area), Little Dixie (Southeastern Oklahoma), Western Oklahoma, and the [[Oklahoma Panhandle]].<br /> <br /> ===Climate===<br /> Oklahoma is a state dominated by contrasting cold and warm [[air mass]]es which collide east of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. As can be expected, this results in a wide range of weather throughout the state, ranging from a borderline [[humid subtropical climate]] zone near the southeast part of the state to a [[semi-arid]] climate in the [[High Plains]] of the panhandle. While there is some variation in temperature in the state, with the south portion on the Texas border averaging an annual mean temperature of 62 °F, and the panhandle averaging under 54 °F, the main climatic difference in Oklahoma is precipitation. The southeast corner of the state near the Ouachita Mountains averages over 52 inches of precipitation a year. Moving west from that point, the precipitation decreases rapidly- for each 10 miles traveled west, the precipation is approximately 1 inch less. The driest part of the state is the extreme western panhandle with less than 16 inches annually. <br /> <br /> The most notable feature of Oklahoma's climate is its thunderstorms. While Oklahoma averages from 40-60 days of thunderstorms throughout the entire state, which is less frequent than thunderstorm activity in parts of the [[Southeast United States]] and the central Colorado Rockies, Oklahoma thunderstorms, which occur in what locals call a "fifth season" from April through July tend to be among the most severe in the world. During this "fifth season" colliding cold and warm air masses turn the entire state, especially the central part, into the heart of [[Tornado Alley]]. Central Oklahoma is the most tornado-prone area in the world, not only in terms of number of tornadoes(which exceeds 10 per 10,000 square miles), but also in terms of intensity.<ref name= "Annual average number of tornadoes"> [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/tornado/small/avgt5304.gif] NOAA National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved on October 24, 2006. </ref><br /> Some of the most severe tornadoes in history have occurred in Oklahoma, and it is no accident that the National Severe Weather Forecast Center is located in Norman. While central Oklahoma is the epicenter of Tornado Alley, other parts of the state are not immune.<br /> <br /> Snowfall is common in Oklahoma every winter, although it is not extreme, ranging from an average of less than 4 inches in the southern part of the state to just over 20 inches on the Colorado border in the panhandle.<br /> <br /> == History ==<br /> [[History of Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> == Law and government ==<br /> {{OKGovernment}}<br /> === State government ===<br /> {{Main|Government of Oklahoma}}<br /> The [[capital]] of the state is [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] and the [[Governor of Oklahoma]] is [[Brad Henry]] (Democrat). Other Executive Branch elected officials include [[Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma]] [[Jari Askins]] (Democrat), [[Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector|State Auditor]] [[Jeff McMahan (politician)|Jeff McMahan]] (Democrat), [[Attorney General of Oklahoma|Attorney General]] [[Drew Edmondson]] (Democrat), [[State Treasurer of Oklahoma|State Treasurer]] [[Scott Meacham]] (Democrat), [[Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction|State School Superintendent]] [[Sandy Garrett]] (Democrat), Labor Commissioner [[Lloyd Fields]] (Democrat), Insurance Commissioner [[Kim Holland]] (Democrat), and the three member State Corporation Commission which currently consists of [[Bob Anthony]] (Republican), [[Jeff Cloud]] (Republican), and [[Denise Bode]] (Republican). The Secretary of State, [[Secretary of State of Oklahoma]] [[M. Susan Savage]] (Democrat), is appointed by the Governor.<br /> <br /> As a result of the 2006 elections, the Lieutenant Governor will be Jari Askins (Democrat) and the new Labor Commissioner will be Loyd Fields. They take office on January 8, 2007.<br /> <br /> [[Image:Oklahoma State Capitol.jpg|thumb|350px|left|The state capitol building of Oklahoma, located in eastern [[Oklahoma City]].]]<br /> <br /> The [[Oklahoma Legislature|Legislature of Oklahoma]] consists of the [[Oklahoma Senate|Senate]] and the [[Oklahoma House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. The Senate has 48 members serving four-year terms, while the House has 101 members with two year terms. The state has term limits for their legislature that restrict any one person to a total of twelve years service in both the House and Senate. In the 2007&ndash;2008 state legislature, the Republicans control the House of Representatives (57 to 44) and the Senate is currently evenly divided (24 to 24). This changes the government's make-up; before the 2004 election the Democrats had controlled both chambers since 1921. Republicans have never controlled the State Senate outright.<br /> <br /> The state's judicial branch consists of the [[Oklahoma Supreme Court]], the Court of Criminal Appeals, and 77 District Courts which serve one county apiece. The Oklahoma judiciary also contains two independent courts: a Court of [[Impeachment]] (which is the Senate sitting) and the [[Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary]]. Oklahoma is unusual in that it has two courts of last resort, the state Supreme Court hears civil cases, and the state Court of Criminal Appeals hears criminal cases (the state of [[Texas]] uses a similar system). Judges of those two courts, as well as the Court of Civil Appeals are appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the state Judicial Nominating Commission, and are subject to a [[non-partisan]] retention vote on a six-year rotating schedule.<br /> <br /> Due to Oklahoma's restrictive ballot access laws (deemed by many to be the most restrictive in the nation), third parties have very limited access to the primary ballots, however the state does have the following active third parties: [[Oklahoma Libertarian Party]], [[Green Party of Oklahoma]], [[Oklahoma Constitution Party]]. There are also organizers from the [[Communist Party USA]] working in the state. Oklahoma's Major political parties are the [[Oklahoma Democratic Party]] and the [[Oklahoma Republican Party]].<br /> <br /> {{seealso|Governor of Oklahoma}}<br /> {{seealso|Oklahoma Legislature}}<br /> {{seealso|Oklahoma Supreme Court}}<br /> <br /> === Local governance ===<br /> The state is divided into 77 counties which deliver local government. Each is governed by a three member commission. Other county elected officials are the tax assessor, clerk, court clerk, treasurer, and sheriff.<br /> <br /> Cities and towns are established under the rights granted in the Oklahoma statutes (in comparison, Oklahoma gives municipal governments a great deal of latitude in chartering new governments). Towns are municipalities of under 1000 residents, while cities have more than 1000 residents. Major cities are also allowed to form "charter governments," in which the voters choose the form of government they want to use in place of the statutory forms.<br /> <br /> Other local government units in Oklahoma include independent and dependent school districts, Technology Center Districts (once known as VOTECH), community college districts, rural fire departments, rural water districts, and other special use districts.<br /> <br /> === National politics ===<br /> After the [[United States Census Bureau|2000 census]] the Oklahoma delegation to the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] was reduced from six to five representatives. For the [[110th United States Congress|110th Congress]] (2007&ndash;2009) there are no changes in party strength, and the delegation has four [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and one [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]. Oklahoma's two U.S. senators are [[Jim Inhofe]] (Republican) and [[Tom Coburn]] (Republican). The U.S. Representatives are [[John Sullivan (U.S. Rep)|John Sullivan]] (Republican) of District 1, [[Dan Boren]] (Democrat) of District 2, [[Frank D. Lucas]] (Republican) of District 3, [[Tom Cole]] (Republican) of District 4, and [[Mary Fallin]] (Republican) of District 5.<br /> <br /> Although there are more registered Democrats in Oklahoma than registered Republicans, it has become a solid Republican state in presidential elections, voting for the Republican in every election from 1968 forward (however the 1976 Carter-Ford race was close). In 2004, [[George W. Bush]] carried every county in the state and 65.6% of the vote.<br /> <br /> === Issue-based activism ===<br /> There are many groups active in social causes and issue-based activism work. Some of these groups include (this list is incomplete and will be updated as time goes by):<br /> <br /> * [[Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty]]<br /> <br /> == Economy ==<br /> Oklahoma is a major fuel and food-producing state; thousands of oil and natural gas wells dot the Oklahoma landscape, and the state is among the highest food producing states in the nation.<br /> Its main agricultural outputs are soy, wheat, cattle, dairy, poultry, and cotton. Oklahoma ranks fourth in the nation in the production of all wheat, fourth in cattle and calf production; fifth in the production of pecans; sixth in peanuts and eight in peaches.<br /> Its industrial outputs are transportation equipment, machinery, electric products, rubber and plastic products, and food processing.<br /> Its 1999 total gross state product was $86 billion, placing it 29th in the nation.<br /> Its 2000 per capita personal income was $23,517, 43rd in the nation.<br /> Oklahoma City suburb [[Nichols Hills, Oklahoma|Nichols Hills]] is ranked first on [[Oklahoma locations by per capita income]] at $73,661.<br /> <br /> [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] is a primary economic engine of the state, centered on the finance, retail, governance, entertainment, and tourism sectors. The city has numerous manufacturing and processing plants as well as a growing biotech research and health center. Oklahoma City has a large aviation market and its location at the intersection of [[I-35]], [[I-40]], and [[I-44]] makes Oklahoma City an important distribution point. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma City is home to many corporate and regional headquarters including [[Devon Energy]], [[Chesapeake Energy]], [[Sonic Drive-In]], [[AT&T]], [[The Hertz Corporation]], BancFirst, [[OGE Energy]], Midfirst Bank, [[Hobby Lobby]], [[Dobson Communications]], Express Personnel Services, Oklahoma Publishing Company, Spectro Wire & Cable, Inc., Rainbo Manufacturing, Globe Life and Accident Insurance, [[Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.]], and [[Big Daddy's BBQ Sauce]].<br /> <br /> [[Image:Downtown Tulsa.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Tulsa is a major economic center for the state.]]<br /> <br /> [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] is another primary economic engine of the state, centered on energy, aerospace, telecommunications, and transportation. The city has the nation's most inland sea port and Oklahoma's only connection to the ocean, the [[Tulsa Port of Catoosa]] [http://www.tulsaport.com/], which connects the state with international ocean trade routes through the [[Arkansas River]] and [[Mississippi River]]. Despite an oil bust that plagued the entire state in the 1980's, Tulsa is still among the top cities in the nation for the number of oil and energy related company headquarters. Tulsa is also home to an extensive aviation market, exemplified by its [[American Airlines]] maintenance center, the largest airline maintenance base in the world. <br /> <br /> Recently, Forbes magazine rated Tulsa as second in the nation in job income growth, and one of the best 50 cities to do business in the country. <ref name="forbestop50">{{cite web | date=2006 | url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/1/2813.html | title= Tulsa, OK: Best Places to do Business 2006 | format=web | work=Forbes Magazine| pages=1 | publisher= Forbes Magazine| language=English | accessdate=2006-07-23}}</ref><br /> <br /> Companies based in Tulsa include The NORDAM Group, BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF), [[Bank of Oklahoma]], [[Williams Companies]], Oneok, Wiltel, [[QuikTrip]], Public Service of Oklahoma, [[Mazzio's]] Corporation, [[RibCrib]], [[SemGroup]], [[Thrifty Car Rental|Dollar-Thrifty]], [[Hilti]] USA, and [[Vanguard]]. <br /> <br /> Both of Oklahoma's major metropolitan areas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, are engaged in large-scale economic development and tourism initiatives.<br /> <br /> == Transportation ==<br /> Oklahoma City is an integral point on the U.S. Interstate Network. Most highways throughout the city are 6-8 lanes and have a level of congestion lower than most comparably sized cities. [[Interstate 35]], [[Interstate 40]], and [[Interstate 44]] bisect the city, [[Interstate 240 (Oklahoma)|Interstate 240]] connects I-40 to I-44 in South OKC, the Lake Hefner Parkway ([[Oklahoma State Highway 74|OK-74]]) runs through Northwest Oklahoma City, [[Kilpatrick Turnpike]] makes a loop around North and West Oklahoma City, Airport Rd. (actually a freeway section of S.W. 44th Street) runs through Southwest Oklahoma City and leads to [[Will Rogers World Airport]], [[United States Highway 77|Broadway Extension/U.S. 77]] connects Central Oklahoma City to Edmond, and [[Interstate 235 (Oklahoma)|Interstate 235]] spurs from I-44 in North Central OKC into downtown Oklahoma City.<br /> <br /> The section of I-40 known as the "Crosstown" because of its intersecting path right by downtown. The I-40 Crosstown Construction Project will relocate the stretch of highway right through a mass transit center named [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Oklahoma_City) Union Station]. It is expected to be completed in 2008 but it has [http://www.okgazette.com/news/templates/news.asp?articleid=1040&zoneid=3 legal issues] that it must survive. Realigning the highway will destroy [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Oklahoma_City) Union Station], leaving only the depot behind, for the new NAFTA highway west bound spur. This will destroy existing rail infrastructure forcing Oklahoma City to find a new central hub of mass transit elsewhere.<br /> <br /> There were plans in the early 1990s to build a light rail system for the city as part of the MAPS urban redevelopment program, but the project stalled repeatedly on issues of funding. (Ernest Istook, 5th District Congressman and chairman of the congressional transportation committee, played a major role in killing federal funding for the project). However he played vital roles in getting other major cities funded for light rail like [http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=1776&IssueNum=92 Los Angeles].<br /> New Development: A downtown trolley system could be implemented under a future new MAPS III initiative. METRO Transit released a new Mass Transit plan in January 2006 that details its vision of rapid transit in the coming years. The study results showed light-rail trolley in downtown OKC, commuter rail from downtown to the suburbs of Edmond and Norman, and a comprehensive, specialized metropolian bus network that has been long overdue because they have to reroute the infrastructure that they’re destroying at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Oklahoma_City) Union Station].<br /> <br /> Oklahoma City was a major stop on Route 66 and was prominently mentioned in Bobby Troup's 1946 jazz classic, "(Get Your Kicks) on Route 66," later made famous by Nat King Cole.<br /> <br /> Oklahoma City is served by two primary airports, Will Rogers World Airport and the much smaller [[Wiley Post Airport]] (incidentally, the two honorees died in the same plane crash in [[Alaska]]). Will Rogers World Airport is currently undergoing a major reconstruction period. [[Tinker Air Force Base]], in East OKC, is the largest military air depot in the nation, a major maintenance and deployment facility for the [[United States Navy|Navy]] and the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]], and the second largest military institution in the state (after [[Fort Sill]] in [[Lawton]]).<br /> <br /> [[Amtrak]] has an Art Deco train station downtown, with daily service to [[Fort Worth]] and the nation's rail network via the [[Heartland Flyer]]. There is also a heritage rail line under re-construction that will connect Bricktown and the [[Adventure District]] in NE Oklahoma City. <br /> <br /> [[Greyhound]] and several other intercity bus companies serve Oklahoma City at Union Bus Station, Downtown. [[METRO Transit]] is the public transit company. Their bus terminal and headquarters is located downtown at NW 5th Street and Hudson Avenue.<br /> <br /> Oklahoma Links:<br /> <br /> *[http://AdvancedTransport.org NATI - Promoting Mass Transit in Oklahoma]<br /> <br /> Oklahoma is served by two major airports:<br /> <br /> *[[Will Rogers World Airport]], Oklahoma City<br /> *[[Tulsa International Airport]]<br /> <br /> There are also numerous other regional and general aviation airports:<br /> <br /> See: [[List of airports in Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> Amtrak also operates a daily train between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, the [[Heartland Flyer]]. <br /> *[http://www.heartlandflyer.com/index.htm Heartland Flyer] Official Website<br /> <br /> == Education ==<br /> <br /> * [[List of Oklahoma school districts by county]]<br /> * [[List of school districts in Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[List of private schools in Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[List of CareerTech centers in Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[List of colleges and universities in Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> == Culture ==<br /> [[Image:OklahomaPrairie.jpg|thumb|250px|Oklahoma Prairie]]<br /> <br /> The various government sponsored arts, community, and tourism programs emphasize Oklahoma's Native American heritage heavily. There are many central areas of Native American heritage in Oklahoma, including one of the most notable, Tahlequah, which is near Muskogee in Eastern Oklahoma. Native American culture runs deep in the lives of Oklahomans and one may experience it through various cultural programs including pow wows, the Tsa-La-Gi village in Tahlequah, OK and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.<br /> <br /> Other ethnic celebrations include those of [[Yukon, Oklahoma|Yukon]] & Prague (celebrating the Czech heritage of some early immigrants), [[Tulsa]]'s Greek Holiday, the Tulsa Scottish Games, Shalomfest (in Tulsa), Tulsa's German Oktoberfest, the Mennonite Relief Sale (in Enid, OK), Italian festivals and neighborhoods in the McAlester and Krebs area, traditional [[Asian]], [[African American]], and [[Hispanic]] celebrations in [[Oklahoma City]] as well as the [[pride parade]] and festival in the city's [[39th GLBT|GLBT]] district, and the [[Juneteenth]] Celebrations found all across the state.<br /> <br /> While most Oklahomans consider themselves part of the Old Southwest, and therefore Southwesterners, the southern influence in Oklahoma is evident. Indeed, apart from Native American semblances, Oklahoma culture resembles the southern elements of Arkansas, southern Missouri, Texas, and northern Louisiana. While Oklahomans do not necessarily "drawl" like their Deep South neighbors from Mississippi and beyond, the dialect of most Okies is "twangy", which can most readily be heard in the voices of current country music stars such as Reba McIntire, Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Blake Shelton, etc. Oklahoma cuisine, moreover, clearly has southern flare with fried catfish, pork ribs, fried chicken, okra, sweet potatoes, and cornbread with little sugar as main staples. In the eastern and south central parts of Oklahoma sweet tea can be found, but becomes less and less prominent as you move into the west and southwestern parts of the state.<br /> <br /> ==Sports==<br /> Because of the [[Hurricane Katrina|devastation]] of [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] in 2005, the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]'s New Orleans Hornets relocated to Oklahoma City and are currently known as the [[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets]]. The Hornets are the first [[major professional sports league]] franchise to play in the state. The owner of the Hornets announced in December of 2006, that the team would be returning to New Orleans for the 2007-2008 season.<br /> <br /> The recent purchase of the Seattle Supersonics NBA Basketball team, by a group of Oklahoma businessmen, has led to speculation that the team will be relocated to Oklahoma City in the near future.<br /> <br /> The [[minor league baseball]] teams are:<br /> *[[Oklahoma RedHawks]] ([[Minor league baseball|AAA]] in Oklahoma City)<br /> *[[Tulsa Drillers]] ([[Minor league baseball|AA]] in Tulsa)<br /> <br /> Other [[Oklahoma City]] teams include<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Blazers]] ([[Ice Hockey]]: [[Central Hockey League|CHL]])<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz]] ([[Arena Football League]]: [[AF2]])<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Lightning]] ([[Women's Football]]: [[National Women's Football Association|NWFA]])<br /> *[[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets]] ([[National Basketball Association]])<br /> <br /> Other [[Enid]] teams include<br /> *[[Oklahoma Storm]] ([[Basketball]]: [[United States Basketball League]])<br /> <br /> Other [[Tulsa]] teams include<br /> *[[Tulsa Oilers (hockey team)|Tulsa Oilers]] ([[Ice Hockey]]: [[Central Hockey League|CHL]])<br /> *[[Tulsa Talons]] ([[Arena Football]]: [[AF2]])<br /> *[[Tulsa 66ers]] ([[Basketball]]: [[NBA Development League]])<br /> <br /> Oklahoma's major college teams are<br /> *the [[Oklahoma Sooners]] ([[University of Oklahoma]])<br /> *the [[Oklahoma State Cowboys]] ([[Oklahoma State University]])<br /> *the [[Tulsa Golden Hurricane]] ([[University of Tulsa]])<br /> <br /> == Important cities and metropolitan areas==<br /> ===Oklahoma City ===<br /> {{Main|Oklahoma City, Oklahoma}}<br /> [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]], with a population of 523,303 in the immediate city limits<ref name="Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau">{{ cite web | date=2006-01-12 | url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/4055000.html | title=Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau | work=State & County QuickFacts | publisher=U.S. Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-09-16 }}</ref> and 1.3 million in the metro area,<ref>[http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Profiles/Single/2003/ACS/Narrative/380/NP38000US5880.htm Population and Housing Profile: Oklahoma City, OK MSA (2003)] Retrieved September 16, 2006</ref> is the principal city of the eight-county [[Oklahoma City Metroplex]] and is Oklahoma's largest urbanized area. As of 2000, it was the 47th largest metro in the nation.<ref name="US Census - Metro ranks 2000">{{cite web | date=2003-12-30 | url=http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab03a.pdf | title=Population in Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Ranked by 2000 Population for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000 | format=PDF | work=United States Census 2000 | pages=3 | publisher=United State Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-08}}</ref> Some of the major cities comprising the Oklahoma City Metro include [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]], [[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]], [[Guthrie, Oklahoma|Guthrie]], [[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]], [[Mustang, Oklahoma|Mustang]], [[Yukon, Oklahoma|Yukon]], [[Shawnee, Oklahoma|Shawnee]], [[Del City, Oklahoma|Del City]], [[Midwest City, Oklahoma|Midewest City]].<br /> <br /> Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma, as well as its main civic, business, and arts and entertainment hub. Oklahoma City is steadily recovering from the oil bust that destroyed the city's identity{{fact}}.<br /> <br /> ===Tulsa===<br /> {{main|Tulsa, Oklahoma}}<br /> [[Tulsa]] is the second largest city in Oklahoma, with 387,807 within the city limits<ref name="Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau">{{ cite web | date=2006-09-16 | url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/4075000.html | title=Tulsa (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau | work=State & County QuickFacts | publisher=U.S. Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-07 }}</ref> and 890,000 in the statistical metropolitan area.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Profiles/Single/2003/ACS/Narrative/380/NP38000US8560.htm Population and Housing Profile: Tulsa, OK MSA (2003)] Retrieved September 16, 2006</ref>. The city is an important Southern and Midwest regional economic hub, and is the architectural center of the state. It is Oklahoma's second largest urbanized area. As of 2000, it was the 53rd largest metropolitan area in the nation.<ref name="US Census - Metro ranks 2000"/><br /> <br /> ===Other important cities===<br /> *[[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]] (3rd Largest City)<br /> *[[Lawton, Oklahoma|Lawton]] (4th Largest City)<br /> *[[Broken Arrow, Oklahoma|Broken Arrow]] (5th Largest City)<br /> *[[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]] (6th Largest City)<br /> *[[Midwest City, Oklahoma|Midwest City]] (7th Largest City)<br /> *[[Enid, Oklahoma|Enid]] (8th Largest City)<br /> *[[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]] (9th Largest City)<br /> *[[Stillwater, Oklahoma|Stillwater]] (10th Largest City)<br /> *[[Bartlesville, Oklahoma|Bartlesville]]<br /> *[[Claremore, Oklahoma|Claremore]]<br /> *[[Owasso, Oklahoma|Owasso]]<br /> *[[Sand Springs, Oklahoma|Sand Springs]]<br /> *[[Jenks, Oklahoma|Jenks]] <br /> *[[Ponca City, Oklahoma|Ponca City]]<br /> *[[Muskogee, Oklahoma|Muskogee]]<br /> <br /> {{seealso|List of cities in Oklahoma|List of towns in Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> == Demographics ==<br /> {{Histpop<br /> | [[United States Census, 1890|1890]] | 258,657 | -<br /> | [[United States Census, 1900|1900]] | 790,391 | 206%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1910|1910]] | 1,657,155 | 110%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1920|1920]] | 2,028,283 | 22%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1930|1930]] | 2,396,040 | 18%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1940|1940]] | 2,336,434 | -2%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1950|1950]] | 2,233,351 | -4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1960|1960]] | 2,328,284 | 4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1970|1970]] | 2,559,229 | 10%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1980|1980]] | 3,025,290 | 18%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1990|1990]] | 3,145,585 | 4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 2000|2000]] | 3,450,654 | 10%<br /> }}<br /> <br /> According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2005, Oklahoma has an estimated population of 3,547,884, which is an increase of 24,338, or 0.7%, from the prior year and an increase of 97,232, or 2.8%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 80,753 people (that is 264,324 births minus 183,571 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 21,128 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 36,546 people, and migration within the country produced a net decrease of 15,418 people.<br /> <br /> The [[center of population]] of Oklahoma is located in [[Lincoln County, Oklahoma|Lincoln County]], in the town of [[Sparks, Oklahoma|Sparks]] [http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt].<br /> {{US Demographics}}<br /> The five largest ancestry groups in Oklahoma are [[German American|German]] (14.5%), American (13.1%), [[Irish American|Irish]] (11.8%), [[British American|English]] (9.6%), [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] (7.9%, with Cherokees as the largest tribe).<br /> <br /> German-Americans are present in the northwestern part of the state. American Indians predominate in eastern Oklahoma. Oklahomans of British ancestry dominate Tulsa and some other areas. Americans of African descent are a plurality in Lawton and Oklahoma City, while Pittsburg county has many Irish-Americans. Oklahoma City has the largest [[Asian]] and [[Asian American]] populations. A few western counties have significant [[Mexican American]] populations.<br /> <br /> 6.8% of Oklahoma's population was reported as under 5, 25.9% under 18, and 13.2% was 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.9% of the population.<br /> <br /> Descendants of these people still live in Oklahoma today.<br /> Counties with the names of these tribes also exist. Oklahoma has the second highest number of Native Americans/Amerindians in the country estimated at 395,219 as of 2003. Only California has a higher Amerindian population at 682,720 [http://eire.census.gov/popest/data/states/ST-EST2002-ASRO-04.php]. Oklahoma also has the second highest concentration of Native Americans/Amerindians in the nation with 11.4% of the state's population, topped only by Alaska at 19% of that state's population. [http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/c2kbr01-15.pdf]. 39 of the Amerindian tribes currently living in Oklahoma are headquartered in the state.<br /> <br /> === Religion ===<br /> The people of Oklahoma participate in 73 major religious affiliations ranging from the Southern Baptist Convention with 1578 churches and 967,223 members to the Holy Orthodox Church in North America, 1 church, 6 members. <br /> <br /> The 10 most popular religious affiliations (including "none") account for more than 90% of all Oklahomans:<ref>[http://thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/40_2000.asp Association of Religion Data Archives]</ref><br /> * No religious affiliation - 39.24%<br /> * [[Southern Baptist]] – 28.03%<br /> * [[United Methodist Church]] – 9.35%<br /> * [[Roman Catholic|Catholic Church]] – 4.89%<br /> * [[Assemblies of God]] – 2.56%<br /> * [[Churches of Christ]] – 2.41%<br /> * [[Disciples of Christ]] - 1.56%<br /> * [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian Churches]] - 1.24%<br /> * [[Church of the Nazarene]] - 1.06<br /> * [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]] - 1.02%<br /> <sup>'''Note:''' Terms shown are the ones used by ARDA; ''Catholic Church'', for instance, versus ''Roman Catholic Church''. The ARDA also notes that their data undercounts traditionally-black churches.</sup><br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> *[[Watonga]], Oklahoma is the birth place of [[Clarence Nash]], better known as the voice of [[Donald Duck]]. Nash captured the ears of a young [[Walt Disney]] with his voice imitation of a duck. Nash provided Donald Duck's world famous voice exclusively until his death in [[1985]]<br /> *Oklahoma is one of only two states whose capital city's name includes the state name. The other is [[Indianapolis, Indiana]].<br /> *The first YIELD sign was used in a trial basis in Tulsa.<br /> * Oklahoma was the last state in the Union to legalize tattooing as of November 1, 2006. [http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=9b33bed6-0abe-421a-0028-8c1b4cab1a2e&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf ]<br /> * The world's first installed parking meter was in Oklahoma City, on July 16, 1935. Carl C. Magee, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is generally credited with originating the parking meter. He filed for a patent for a "coin controlled parking meter" on May 13, 1935.<br /> * Vinita is the oldest incorporated town on Oklahoma [[Route 66]], having been established in 1871. Vinita was the first town in Oklahoma to enjoy electricity. Originally named Downingville. The town's name was later changed to Vinita, in honor of Vinnie Ream, the sculptress who created the life-size statue of Lincoln at the [[United States Capitol]].<br /> * Rural Oklahoma, similar to problems faced by other Plains states ([[Nebraska]], [[Kansas]], [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]] and [[Iowa]]), is seeing populations fall in many communities. Between 1996 and 2004 nearly 500,000 people, half of them with college degrees, left the six states. The effects of rural flight in Oklahoma have mostly been felt in Western Oklahoma.<br /> * The Amateur Softball Association of America - a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, OK - was founded in 1933 and has evolved into the strongest softball organization in the country. <br /> * [[Boise City, Oklahoma]] was the only city in the continental United States to be bombed during [[World War II]]. On Monday night, July 5, 1943, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a B-17 Bomber based at Dalhart Army Air Base (50 miles to the south of Boise City) dropped six practice bombs on the sleeping town. <br /> * An Oklahoman, [[Sylvan Goldman]], invented the first shopping cart. <br /> * In Guthrie, nearly 20,000 lighters and "fire starters" are displayed at the National Lighter Museum. It is the nation's only museum devoted to the collection of lighters.<br /> * Oklahoma has approximately 11,611 miles of shoreline, slightly less than the estimated combined general (nontidal) coastline of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and Arctic Coasts which has 12,383 miles.<ref>Oklahoma Water Resources Board, [http://www.owrb.state.ok.us/util/waterfact.php ''Oklahoma Water Facts'']: "Oklahoma has approximately 11,611 miles of shoreline ...". (Retrieved August 3, 2006)</ref><br /> * In recent years, Oklahoma has become the second largest natural gas-producing state in the nation. Only Texas surpasses Oklahoma in natural gas production.<br /> <br /> ===Oklahoma state symbols===<br /> <br /> {| align="center" style="text-valign: center;"<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Flora<br /> |-<br /> |[[Floral emblem]]<br /> ||[[Mistletoe]]<br /> |-<br /> |[[Wildflower]]<br /> ||[[Indian Blanket]] <small> ''Gaillardia pulchella''<br /> ||1910<br /> |-<br /> |[[Tree]]<br /> ||[[Redbud]] <small> ''Cercis canadensis''<br /> ||1971<br /> |-<br /> |[[State grass|Grass]]<br /> ||[[Indian Grass]] <small>''Sorghastrum nutans''<br /> ||1972<br /> |-<br /> |[[State flower|Flower]]<br /> ||Oklahoma Rose<br /> ||2004<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Fauna<br /> |-<br /> |[[List of U.S. state birds|Bird]]<br /> ||[[Scissor-tailed Flycatcher]] <small>''Muscivora forficata''<br /> ||1951<br /> |-<br /> |[[State reptile|Reptile]]<br /> ||[[Common Collared Lizard|Collared Lizard]] <small>(Mountain Boomer) ''Crotaphytus collaris)''<br /> ||1969<br /> |-<br /> |[[State mammal|Mammal]]<br /> ||[[Bison]] <small>''Bison bison''<br /> ||1972<br /> |-<br /> |[[State fish|Fish]]<br /> ||[[White bass]] <small>(Sand bass) ''Morone chrysops''<br /> ||1974<br /> |-<br /> |[[State furbearer animal|Furbearer Animal]]<br /> ||[[Common Raccoon]] <small>''Procyon lotor''<br /> ||1989<br /> |-<br /> |[[State insect|Insect]]<br /> ||[[Western honey bee|European honey bee]] <small>''Apis mellifera''<br /> ||1992<br /> |-<br /> |[[State game animal|Game Animal]]<br /> ||[[White-tail deer]] <small>''Odocoileus virginians''<br /> ||1990<br /> |-<br /> |[[State game bird|Game Bird]]<br /> ||[[Wild Turkey]] <small>''Meleagris gallopavo''<br /> ||1990<br /> |-<br /> |[[State butterfly|Butterfly]]<br /> ||[[Black Swallowtail]] <small>''Papilio polyxenes''<br /> ||1996<br /> |-<br /> |[[State amphibian|Amphibian]]<br /> ||[[Bullfrog]] <small>''Rana catesbeiana''<br /> ||1997<br /> |-<br /> |[[State fossil|Fossil]]<br /> ||[[Allosaurid|Allosaurid dinosaur]] <small>''Saurophaganax maximus''<br /> ||2000<br /> |-<br /> |[[State flying mammal|Flying Mammal]]<br /> ||[[Mexican Free-Tailed Bat]] <small>''Tadarida brasiliensis''<br /> ||2006<br /> |-<br /> |[[State dinosaur|Dinosaur]]<br /> ||[[High Spined Lizard]] <small>''Acrocanthosaurus atokensis''<br /> ||2006<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Music<br /> |-<br /> |[[State waltz|waltz]]<br /> ||"''Oklahoma Wind''"<br /> |-<br /> |[[Anthem]]<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma! (song)|Oklahoma!]]"<br>lyrics: [[Oscar Hammerstein II]]<br>music: [[Richard Rodgers]]<br /> ||1953<br /> |-<br /> |[[state song|Song]]<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma Hills]]"<br>lyrics: [[Woody Guthrie]]<br>music: [[Woody Guthrie]]<br /> ||<br /> |-<br /> |[[Instrument|Musical Instrument]]<br /> ||[[Musical styles (violin)#Fiddle|Fiddle]]<br /> ||1984<br /> |-<br /> |[[Country and Western|Country and Western Song]]<br /> ||"Faded Love"<br>by [[John Willis]]<br>and [[Bob Wills]]<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |Folk Dance<br /> ||[[Square Dance]]<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |[[Percussion|Percussive Musical Instrument]]<br /> ||[[Drum]]<br /> ||1993<br /> |-<br /> |Children's Song<br /> ||"Oklahoma, My Native Land"<br>by Martha Kemm Barrett<br /> ||1996<br /> |-<br /> |Western Band<br /> ||The Sounds of the Southwest<br /> ||1997<br /> |-<br /> |Folk Song<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma Hills]]"<br>by [[Woody Guthrie]]<br>and [[Jack Guthrie]]<br /> ||2001<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3| Other<br /> |-<br /> |[[Colors]]<br /> ||[[Green]] and [[White]]<br /> ||1915<br /> |-<br /> |[[State rock|Rock]]<br /> ||[[Rose Rock]] <small> (Barite rose)<br /> ||1968<br /> |-<br /> |[[Theatre]]<br /> ||Lynn Riggs Players of Oklahoma, Inc.<br /> ||1971<br /> |-<br /> |[[Poem]]<br /> ||"Howdy Folks" by David Randolph Milsten<br /> ||1973<br /> |-<br /> |[[Pin]]<br /> ||"OK" pin<br /> ||1982<br /> |-<br /> |[[State beverage|Beverage]]<br /> ||[[Milk]]<br /> ||1985<br /> |-<br /> |[[State soil|Soil]]<br /> ||[[Port Silt Loam]] <small> ''Cumulic haplustolls''<br /> ||1987<br /> |-<br /> |[[Meal]]<br /> ||Fried okra,<br> [[Squash (fruit)|squash]],<br> [[cornbread]],<br> [[barbecue pork]],<br> [[biscuits]],<br> [[sausage and gravy]],<br> [[grits]],<br> [[maize|corn]],<br> [[strawberry|strawberries]],<br> [[chicken fried steak]],<br> [[pecan pie]],<br> and [[black-eyed peas]].<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |[[Poet Laureate]]<br /> ||biennial gubernatorial appointment<br /> ||1994<br /> |-<br /> |[[Tartan]]<br /> ||Oklahoma Tartan<br /> ||1999<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ===See also===<br /> <br /> * [http://www.50states.com/facts/okla.htm More Oklahoma Trivia]<br /> * [http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=5084612 Full Auto Shoot]<br /> <br /> == See also ==<br /> <br /> * [[Cavanal Hill]], World's tallest hill<br /> * [[List of people from Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[List of casinos#Oklahoma|Partial list of Oklahoma casinos]]<br /> * [[List of Oklahoma numbered highways]]<br /> * [[Scouting in Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[Okie]]<br /> * [[Oklahoma Highway Patrol]]<br /> <br /> ==Further reading==<br /> *{{cite book|last=Baird|first=W. David|coauthors=and Danney Goble|title=The Story of Oklahoma|year=1994|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-2650-7}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Dale|first=Edward Everett|coauthors=and Morris L. Wardell|title=History of Oklahoma|year=1948|publisher=Prentice-Hall|location=New York|url=http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=9570550}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Gibson|first=Arrell Morgan|title=Oklahoma: A History of Five Centuries|year=1981|edition=2nd ed.|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1758-3}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Goble|first=Danney|title=Progressive Oklahoma: The Making of a New Kind of State|year=1980|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1510-6}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Stephen|title=Oklahoma Politics in State and Nation|year=1974|edition=vol. 1 (1907-62)|publisher=Haymaker Press|location=Enid, Okla.}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Joyce|first=Davis D. (ed.)|title=An Oklahoma I Had Never Seen Before: Alternative Views of Oklahoma History|year=1994|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-2599-3}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morgan|first=Anne Hodges|coauthors=and H. Wayne Morgan (eds.)|title=Oklahoma: New Views of the Forty-sixth State|year=1982|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1651-X}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morgan|first=David R.|coauthors=Robert E. England, and George G. Humphreys|title=Oklahoma Politics and Policies: Governing the Sooner State|year=1991|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln|id=ISBN 0-8032-3106-7}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morris|first=John W.|coauthors=Charles R. Goins, and Edwin C. McReynolds|title=Historical Atlas of Oklahoma|year=1986|edition=3rd ed.|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1991-8}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Wishart|first=David J. (ed.)|title=Encyclopedia of the Great Plains|year=2004|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln|id=ISBN 0-8032-4787-7}}<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> <div class="references-small"><br /> * [[U.S. Census Bureau]].<br /> ** [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html Oklahoma QuickFacts]. Geographic and demographic information.<br /> ** [http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0056/tab51.pdf Oklahoma - Race and Hispanic Origin: 1890 to 1990] ([[Portable Document Format|PDF]])<br /> <references/><br /> </div><br /> <br /> == External links ==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma ''Wikipedia'' "Oklahoma"]<br /> * [http://www.ok.gov/ Oklahoma's Official Web Site]<br /> * [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html U.S. Census Bureau]<br /> * [http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/OK.htm Oklahoma State Facts]<br /> * [http://www.oklatourism.gov Oklahoma Tourism Official Website]<br /> <br /> {{Oklahoma}}<br /> {{United_States}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Oklahoma|*]]<br /> [[Category:1907 establishments]]<br /> [[Category:Kappler's Indian Affairs citations]]</div> Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:43:48 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Main_Page Main Page http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Main_Page <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>'''[[About the OKLAHOMA WIKI]]'''<br /> <br /> '''[http://editthis.info/oklahoma/Special:Recentchanges Recent Changes on Oklahoma Wiki]<br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> <br /> '''Oklahoma''' is a [[U.S. state|state]] located in the southern Great Plains and Eastern Woodlands regions of the United States. It is sometimes called "Native America" and the "Sooner State", and is part of a region commonly known as the American "[[Heartland]]." [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] is the state's capital and largest city. The Congressional Quarterly and Census report place Oklahoma in the Southern United States. However, since Oklahoma is near the geographic center of the U.S., the regional influences add to Oklahoma's unique character. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma became the 46th state in the Union on November 16th, 1907. The state's name comes from the [[Choctaw]] words ''okla'' meaning people and ''homma'' meaning red, literally meaning "red people"<br /> ([http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/stinfo2.html see Oklahoma State History and Information]) and was chosen by [[Allen Wright]], Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation between 1866 and 1870. <ref name="">{{cite web | last=Merserve | first=John | year=1941 | month=December | url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/chronicles/v019/v019p314.html | title=Chief Allen Wright | work=Chronicles of Oklahoma | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-07}}</ref> It is a state with a colorful history, including its days as a frontier state, it being a destination of recently freed slaves looking for opportunity and equality, and being at the heart of the oil boom in the early 20th century. <br /> <br /> Most notably, Oklahoma has the nation's second largest [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] population. In honor of its large American Indian population, and for tourism purposes, Oklahoma is called "Native America." Oklahoma's early history is intertwined with the [[Trail of Tears]], which was the forced removal of the [[Five Civilized Tribes]] from the southeastern United States to present-day Oklahoma. As a testament to the state's western and American Indian heritage, Oklahoma ([[Tulsa]]) is the home of the world-renowned [[Gilcrease Museum]], which houses the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of [[American West]]ern art and artifacts, as well as an unparalled collection of American Indian, Central and South American art, artifacts, documents, and maps. <br /> <br /> == Geography ==<br /> {{portal}}<br /> {{see also|list of Oklahoma counties|list of Oklahoma townships|lakes in Oklahoma}}<br /> [[image:AR_Ouachita_Mountains.jpg|right|frame|The [[Ouachita Mountains]] dominate the<br /> [[Kiamichi country|southeastern quarter]] of Oklahoma]]<br /> Oklahoma is one of the six states on the [[Frontier Strip]]. It is bounded on the east by [[Arkansas]] and [[Missouri]], on the north by [[Kansas]] and northwest by [[Colorado]] (both at 37°N), on the far west by [[New Mexico]] (at 103°W), and on the south and near-west by [[Texas]]. The [[panhandle|panhandle's]] southern boundary is at 36.5°N, then turning due south along 100°W to the southern fork of the [[Red River (Mississippi watershed)|Red River]]), completing the round trip back to Arkansas. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma's four main mountain ranges include the [[Ouachita Mountains|Ouachitas]], [[Arbuckle Mountains|Arbuckles]], [[Wichita Mountains|Wichitas]], and the Kiamichis. In addition to several smaller ranges, Oklahoma also notably encompasses a portion of the [[Ozarks]].<br /> <br /> The state's highest peak, 4,973 feet (1,515&nbsp;m) [[Black Mesa]], resides in the far northwestern corner of the panhandle near the town of Kenton. The lowest elevation in the state is in the far southeastern corner, near Idabel, at 324 feet (99 m). Oklahoma also has what is officially considered the highest hill in the world, Cavanal Hill, at 1,999 feet (609 m); this is considering the fact that a "mountain" is anything 2,000 feet or higher. It is located in Poteau, Oklahoma.<ref name="TravelOK">{{ cite web | url=http://www.travelok.com/about/index.asp | title=About Oklahoma | publisher=TravelOK.com | language=English | accessdate=2006-07-10 }}</ref><br /> <br /> With 200 man-made lakes, Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state and boasts over one million surface-acres of water and 2,000 more miles (3,200 km) of shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined. Lake Eufaula is the largest lake in the state, covering 102,000 surface acres (413 km²) of water. <ref name="TravelOK">{{ cite web | url=http://http://www.travelok.com/about/index.asp | title=About Oklahoma | publisher=TravelOK.com | language=English | accessdate=2006-07-10 }}</ref><br /> <br /> [[Image:National-atlas-oklahoma.PNG|thumb|300px|right|Map of Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Image:Oklahoma_population_map.png|thumb|300px|right|Oklahoma Population Density Map]]<br /> <br /> === Regions ===<br /> From an ecoregional perspective, Oklahoma is recognized by the [[Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] as having 11 different [[ecoregion]]s (one of only four U.S. states to have more than 10 ecoregions). These ecoregions are: Western high plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Central [[Great Plains]], Tall Grass Prairie, [[Cross Timbers]], Caves & Prairie, [[Ozark]] Highlands, Ozark Forest, Hardwood Forest, [[Ouachita Mountains]], and Cypress Swamps & Forests.<br /> <br /> The Oklahoma Tourism Department divides the state down into six "countries" for tourism promotion purposes: [[Red Carpet Country]] (Northwestern Oklahoma and The Panhandle), Great Plains Country (Southwestern Oklahoma), Frontier Country (Central Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area), [[Green Country]] (Northeastern Oklahoma, including the Tulsa Metropolitan area), [[Kiamichi country]] (Southeastern Oklahoma), and [[Lake & Trail Country]] (South Central Oklahoma).<br /> <br /> Popular but "unofficial" regional designations include [[Green Country]] (most often used to refer to Northeastern Oklahoma, but used by some to refer to either all of Eastern Oklahoma or just the Tulsa Metropolitan Area), Little Dixie (Southeastern Oklahoma), Western Oklahoma, and the [[Oklahoma Panhandle]].<br /> <br /> ===Climate===<br /> Oklahoma is a state dominated by contrasting cold and warm [[air mass]]es which collide east of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. As can be expected, this results in a wide range of weather throughout the state, ranging from a borderline [[humid subtropical climate]] zone near the southeast part of the state to a [[semi-arid]] climate in the [[High Plains]] of the panhandle. While there is some variation in temperature in the state, with the south portion on the Texas border averaging an annual mean temperature of 62 °F, and the panhandle averaging under 54 °F, the main climatic difference in Oklahoma is precipitation. The southeast corner of the state near the Ouachita Mountains averages over 52 inches of precipitation a year. Moving west from that point, the precipitation decreases rapidly- for each 10 miles traveled west, the precipation is approximately 1 inch less. The driest part of the state is the extreme western panhandle with less than 16 inches annually. <br /> <br /> The most notable feature of Oklahoma's climate is its thunderstorms. While Oklahoma averages from 40-60 days of thunderstorms throughout the entire state, which is less frequent than thunderstorm activity in parts of the [[Southeast United States]] and the central Colorado Rockies, Oklahoma thunderstorms, which occur in what locals call a "fifth season" from April through July tend to be among the most severe in the world. During this "fifth season" colliding cold and warm air masses turn the entire state, especially the central part, into the heart of [[Tornado Alley]]. Central Oklahoma is the most tornado-prone area in the world, not only in terms of number of tornadoes(which exceeds 10 per 10,000 square miles), but also in terms of intensity.<ref name= "Annual average number of tornadoes"> [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/tornado/small/avgt5304.gif] NOAA National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved on October 24, 2006. </ref><br /> Some of the most severe tornadoes in history have occurred in Oklahoma, and it is no accident that the National Severe Weather Forecast Center is located in Norman. While central Oklahoma is the epicenter of Tornado Alley, other parts of the state are not immune.<br /> <br /> Snowfall is common in Oklahoma every winter, although it is not extreme, ranging from an average of less than 4 inches in the southern part of the state to just over 20 inches on the Colorado border in the panhandle.<br /> <br /> == History ==<br /> [[History of Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> == Law and government ==<br /> {{OKGovernment}}<br /> === State government ===<br /> {{Main|Government of Oklahoma}}<br /> The [[capital]] of the state is [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] and the [[Governor of Oklahoma]] is [[Brad Henry]] (Democrat). Other Executive Branch elected officials include [[Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma]] [[Mary Fallin]] (Republican), [[Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector|State Auditor]] [[Jeff McMahan]] (Democrat), [[Attorney General of Oklahoma|Attorney General]] [[Drew Edmondson]] (Democrat), [[State Treasurer of Oklahoma|State Treasurer]] [[Scott Meacham]] (Democrat), [[Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction|State School Superintendent]] [[Sandy Garrett]] (Democrat), Labor Commissioner [[Brenda Reneau]] (Republican), Insurance Commissioner [[Kim Holland]] (Democrat), and the three member State Corporation Commission which currently consists of [[Bob Anthony]] (Republican), [[Jeff Cloud]] (Republican), and [[Denise Bode]] (Republican). The Secretary of State, [[Secretary of State of Oklahoma]] [[M. Susan Savage]] (Democrat), is appointed by the Governor.<br /> <br /> As a result of the 2006 elections, the Lieutenant Governor will be Jari Askins (Democrat) and the new Labor Commissioner will be Loyd Fields. They take office on January 8, 2007.<br /> <br /> [[Image:Oklahoma State Capitol.jpg|thumb|350px|left|The state capitol building of Oklahoma, located in eastern [[Oklahoma City]].]]<br /> <br /> The [[Oklahoma Legislature|Legislature of Oklahoma]] consists of the [[Oklahoma Senate|Senate]] and the [[Oklahoma House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. The Senate has 48 members serving four-year terms, while the House has 101 members with two year terms. The state has term limits for their legislature that restrict any one person to a total of twelve years service in both the House and Senate. In the 2007&ndash;2008 state legislature, the Republicans control the House of Representatives (57 to 44) and the Senate is currently evenly divided (24 to 24). This changes the government's make-up; before the 2004 election the Democrats had controlled both chambers since 1921. Republicans have never controlled the State Senate outright.<br /> <br /> The state's judicial branch consists of the [[Oklahoma Supreme Court]], the Court of Criminal Appeals, and 77 District Courts which serve one county apiece. The Oklahoma judiciary also contains two independent courts: a Court of [[Impeachment]] (which is the Senate sitting) and the [[Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary]]. Oklahoma is unusual in that it has two courts of last resort, the state Supreme Court hears civil cases, and the state Court of Criminal Appeals hears criminal cases (the state of [[Texas]] uses a similar system). Judges of those two courts, as well as the Court of Civil Appeals are appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the state Judicial Nominating Commission, and are subject to a [[non-partisan]] retention vote on a six-year rotating schedule.<br /> <br /> Due to Oklahoma's restrictive ballot access laws (deemed by many to be the most restrictive in the nation), third parties have very limited access to the primary ballots, however the state does have the following active third parties: [[Oklahoma Libertarian Party]], [[Green Party of Oklahoma]], [[Oklahoma Constitution Party]]. There are also organizers from the [[Communist Party USA]] working in the state. Oklahoma's Major political parties are the [[Oklahoma Democratic Party]] and the [[Oklahoma Republican Party]].<br /> <br /> {{seealso|Governor of Oklahoma}}<br /> {{seealso|Oklahoma Legislature}}<br /> {{seealso|Oklahoma Supreme Court}}<br /> <br /> === Local governance ===<br /> The state is divided into 77 counties which deliver local government. Each is governed by a three member commission. Other county elected officials are the tax assessor, clerk, court clerk, treasurer, and sheriff.<br /> <br /> Cities and towns are established under the rights granted in the Oklahoma statutes (in comparison, Oklahoma gives municipal governments a great deal of latitude in chartering new governments). Towns are municipalities of under 1000 residents, while cities have more than 1000 residents. Major cities are also allowed to form "charter governments," in which the voters choose the form of government they want to use in place of the statutory forms.<br /> <br /> Other local government units in Oklahoma include independent and dependent school districts, Technology Center Districts (once known as VOTECH), community college districts, rural fire departments, rural water districts, and other special use districts.<br /> <br /> === National politics ===<br /> After the [[United States Census Bureau|2000 census]] the Oklahoma delegation to the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] was reduced from six to five representatives. For the [[109th United States Congress|109th Congress]] (2005&ndash;2006) there are no changes in party strength, and the delegation has four [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and one [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]. Oklahoma's two U.S. senators are [[James M. Inhofe]] (Republican) and [[Tom Coburn]] (Republican). The U.S. Representatives are [[John Sullivan (U.S. Rep)|John Sullivan]] (Republican) of District 1, [[Dan Boren]] (Democrat) of District 2, [[Frank D. Lucas]] (Republican) of District 3, [[Tom Cole]] (Republican) of District 4, and [[Ernest Istook]] (Republican) of District 5.<br /> <br /> Although there are more registered Democrats in Oklahoma than registered Republicans, it has become a solid Republican state in presidential elections, voting for the Republican in every election from 1968 forward (however the 1976 Carter-Ford race was close). In 2004, [[George W. Bush]] carried every county in the state and 65.6% of the vote.<br /> <br /> == Economy ==<br /> Oklahoma is a major fuel and food-producing state; thousands of oil and natural gas wells dot the Oklahoma landscape, and the state is among the highest food producing states in the nation.<br /> Its main agricultural outputs are soy, wheat, cattle, dairy, poultry, and cotton. Oklahoma ranks fourth in the nation in the production of all wheat, fourth in cattle and calf production; fifth in the production of pecans; sixth in peanuts and eight in peaches.<br /> Its industrial outputs are transportation equipment, machinery, electric products, rubber and plastic products, and food processing.<br /> Its 1999 total gross state product was $86 billion, placing it 29th in the nation.<br /> Its 2000 per capita personal income was $23,517, 43rd in the nation.<br /> Oklahoma City suburb [[Nichols Hills, Oklahoma|Nichols Hills]] is ranked first on [[Oklahoma locations by per capita income]] at $73,661.<br /> <br /> [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] is a primary economic engine of the state, centered on the finance, retail, governance, entertainment, and tourism sectors. The city has numerous manufacturing and processing plants as well as a growing biotech research and health center. Oklahoma City has a large aviation market and its location at the intersection of [[I-35]], [[I-40]], and [[I-44]] makes Oklahoma City an important distribution point. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma City is home to many corporate and regional headquarters including [[Devon Energy]], [[Chesapeake Energy]], [[Sonic Drive-In]], [[AT&T]], [[The Hertz Corporation]], BancFirst, [[OGE Energy]], Midfirst Bank, [[Hobby Lobby]], [[Dobson Communications]], Express Personnel Services, Oklahoma Publishing Company, Spectro Wire & Cable, Inc., Rainbo Manufacturing, Globe Life and Accident Insurance, [[Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.]], and [[Big Daddy's BBQ Sauce]].<br /> <br /> [[Image:Downtown Tulsa.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Tulsa is a major economic center for the state.]]<br /> <br /> [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] is another primary economic engine of the state, centered on energy, aerospace, telecommunications, and transportation. The city has the nation's most inland sea port and Oklahoma's only connection to the ocean, the [[Tulsa Port of Catoosa]] [http://www.tulsaport.com/], which connects the state with international ocean trade routes through the [[Arkansas River]] and [[Mississippi River]]. Despite an oil bust that plagued the entire state in the 1980's, Tulsa is still among the top cities in the nation for the number of oil and energy related company headquarters. Tulsa is also home to an extensive aviation market, exemplified by its [[American Airlines]] maintenance center, the largest airline maintenance base in the world. <br /> <br /> Recently, Forbes magazine rated Tulsa as second in the nation in job income growth, and one of the best 50 cities to do business in the country. <ref name="forbestop50">{{cite web | date=2006 | url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/1/2813.html | title= Tulsa, OK: Best Places to do Business 2006 | format=web | work=Forbes Magazine| pages=1 | publisher= Forbes Magazine| language=English | accessdate=2006-07-23}}</ref><br /> <br /> Companies based in Tulsa include The NORDAM Group, BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF), [[Bank of Oklahoma]], [[Williams Companies]], Oneok, Wiltel, [[QuikTrip]], Public Service of Oklahoma, [[Mazzio's]] Corporation, [[RibCrib]], [[SemGroup]], [[Thrifty Car Rental|Dollar-Thrifty]], [[Hilti]] USA, and [[Vanguard]]. <br /> <br /> Both of Oklahoma's major metropolitan areas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, are engaged in large-scale economic development and tourism initiatives.<br /> <br /> == Transportation ==<br /> Primary interstate highways in Oklahoma include [[I-35]], which traverses the state from north to south, [[I-40]], which traverses the state from east to west, and [[I-44]], which enters Oklahoma in the southwest and leaves the state in the northeast corner. These highways all run through Oklahoma City.<br /> <br /> The state's other interstate highways are Interstates 235, 240, 244 and (unsigned) 444. [[Interstate 235 (Oklahoma)|I-235]] (Centennial Expressway) is a north-south freeway connecting I-35 and I-44 through the center of Oklahoma City. [[Interstate 240 (Oklahoma)|I-240]] (South Bypass) is an east-west freeway serving as a southern bypass of Oklahoma City. [[I-244]] (Crosstown Expressway/MLK Expressway) is a loop that connects downtown Tulsa to I-44, and [[I-444]], which is unsigned, forms the south and east sides of the "Inner Dispersal Loop" in downtown Tulsa.<br /> <br /> Oklahoma is served by two major airports:<br /> <br /> *[[Will Rogers World Airport]], Oklahoma City<br /> *[[Tulsa International Airport]]<br /> <br /> There are also numerous other regional and general aviation airports:<br /> <br /> See: [[List of airports in Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> Amtrak also operates a daily train between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, the [[Heartland Flyer]]. <br /> *[http://www.heartlandflyer.com/index.htm Heartland Flyer] Official Website<br /> <br /> == Education ==<br /> {{main|List of Oklahoma school districts by county|List of school districts in Oklahoma|List of private schools in Oklahoma|List of CareerTech centers in Oklahoma|List of colleges and universities in Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> == Culture ==<br /> [[Image:OklahomaPrairie.jpg|thumb|250px|Oklahoma Prairie]]<br /> <br /> The various government sponsored arts, community, and tourism programs emphasize Oklahoma's Native American heritage heavily. There are many central areas of Native American heritage in Oklahoma, including one of the most notable, Tahlequah, which is near Muskogee in Eastern Oklahoma. Native American culture runs deep in the lives of Oklahomans and one may experience it through various cultural programs including pow wows, the Tsa-La-Gi village in Tahlequah, OK and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.<br /> <br /> Other ethnic celebrations include those of [[Yukon, Oklahoma|Yukon]] & Prague (celebrating the Czech heritage of some early immigrants), [[Tulsa]]'s Greek Holiday, the Tulsa Scottish Games, Shalomfest (in Tulsa), Tulsa's German Oktoberfest, the Mennonite Relief Sale (in Enid, OK), Italian festivals and neighborhoods in the McAlester and Krebs area, traditional [[Asian]], [[African American]], and [[Hispanic]] celebrations in [[Oklahoma City]] as well as the [[pride parade]] and festival in the city's [[39th GLBT|GLBT]] district, and the [[Juneteenth]] Celebrations found all across the state.<br /> <br /> ==Sports==<br /> Because of the [[Hurricane Katrina|devastation]] of [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] in 2005, the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]'s New Orleans Hornets relocated to Oklahoma City and are currently known as the [[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets]]. The Hornets are the first [[major professional sports league]] franchise to play in the state. The owner of the Hornets announced in December of 2006, that the team would be returning to New Orleans for the 2007-2008 season.<br /> <br /> The recent purchase of the Seattle Supersonics NBA Basketball team, by a group of Oklahoma businessmen, has led to speculation that the team will be relocated to Oklahoma City in the near future.<br /> <br /> The [[minor league baseball]] teams are:<br /> *[[Oklahoma RedHawks]] ([[Minor league baseball|AAA]] in Oklahoma City)<br /> *[[Tulsa Drillers]] ([[Minor league baseball|AA]] in Tulsa)<br /> <br /> Other [[Oklahoma City]] teams include<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Blazers]] ([[Ice Hockey]]: [[Central Hockey League|CHL]])<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz]] ([[Arena Football League]]: [[AF2]])<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Lightning]] ([[Women's Football]]: [[National Women's Football Association|NWFA]])<br /> *[[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets]] ([[National Basketball Association]])<br /> <br /> Other [[Enid]] teams include<br /> *[[Oklahoma Storm]] ([[Basketball]]: [[United States Basketball League]])<br /> <br /> Other [[Tulsa]] teams include<br /> *[[Tulsa Oilers (hockey team)|Tulsa Oilers]] ([[Ice Hockey]]: [[Central Hockey League|CHL]])<br /> *[[Tulsa Talons]] ([[Arena Football]]: [[AF2]])<br /> *[[Tulsa 66ers]] ([[Basketball]]: [[NBA Development League]])<br /> <br /> Oklahoma's major college teams are<br /> *the [[Oklahoma Sooners]] ([[University of Oklahoma]])<br /> *the [[Oklahoma State Cowboys]] ([[Oklahoma State University]])<br /> *the [[Tulsa Golden Hurricane]] ([[University of Tulsa]])<br /> <br /> == Important cities and metropolitan areas==<br /> ===Oklahoma City ===<br /> {{Main|Oklahoma City, Oklahoma}}<br /> [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]], with a population of 523,303 in the immediate city limits<ref name="Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau">{{ cite web | date=2006-01-12 | url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/4055000.html | title=Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau | work=State & County QuickFacts | publisher=U.S. Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-09-16 }}</ref> and 1.3 million in the metro area,<ref>[http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Profiles/Single/2003/ACS/Narrative/380/NP38000US5880.htm Population and Housing Profile: Oklahoma City, OK MSA (2003)] Retrieved September 16, 2006</ref> is the principal city of the eight-county [[Oklahoma City Metroplex]] and is Oklahoma's largest urbanized area. As of 2000, it was the 47th largest metro in the nation.<ref name="US Census - Metro ranks 2000">{{cite web | date=2003-12-30 | url=http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab03a.pdf | title=Population in Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Ranked by 2000 Population for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000 | format=PDF | work=United States Census 2000 | pages=3 | publisher=United State Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-08}}</ref> Some of the major cities comprising the Oklahoma City Metro include [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]], [[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]], [[Guthrie, Oklahoma|Guthrie]], [[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]], [[Mustang, Oklahoma|Mustang]], [[Yukon, Oklahoma|Yukon]], [[Shawnee, Oklahoma|Shawnee]], [[Del City, Oklahoma|Del City]], [[Midwest City, Oklahoma|Midewest City]].<br /> <br /> Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma, as well as its main civic, business, and arts and entertainment hub. Oklahoma City is steadily recovering from the oil bust that destroyed the city's identity{{fact}}.<br /> <br /> ===Tulsa===<br /> {{main|Tulsa, Oklahoma}}<br /> [[Tulsa]] is the second largest city in Oklahoma, with 387,807 within the city limits<ref name="Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau">{{ cite web | date=2006-09-16 | url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/4075000.html | title=Tulsa (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau | work=State & County QuickFacts | publisher=U.S. Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-07 }}</ref> and 890,000 in the statistical metropolitan area.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Profiles/Single/2003/ACS/Narrative/380/NP38000US8560.htm Population and Housing Profile: Tulsa, OK MSA (2003)] Retrieved September 16, 2006</ref>. The city is an important Southern and Midwest regional economic hub, and is the architectural center of the state. It is Oklahoma's second largest urbanized area. As of 2000, it was the 53rd largest metropolitan area in the nation.<ref name="US Census - Metro ranks 2000"/><br /> <br /> ===Other important cities===<br /> *[[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]] (3rd Largest City)<br /> *[[Lawton, Oklahoma|Lawton]] (4th Largest City)<br /> *[[Broken Arrow, Oklahoma|Broken Arrow]] (5th Largest City)<br /> *[[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]] (6th Largest City)<br /> *[[Midwest City, Oklahoma|Midwest City]] (7th Largest City)<br /> *[[Enid, Oklahoma|Enid]] (8th Largest City)<br /> *[[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]] (9th Largest City)<br /> *[[Stillwater, Oklahoma|Stillwater]] (10th Largest City)<br /> *[[Bartlesville, Oklahoma|Bartlesville]]<br /> *[[Claremore, Oklahoma|Claremore]]<br /> *[[Owasso, Oklahoma|Owasso]]<br /> *[[Sand Springs, Oklahoma|Sand Springs]]<br /> *[[Jenks, Oklahoma|Jenks]] <br /> *[[Ponca City, Oklahoma|Ponca City]]<br /> *[[Muskogee, Oklahoma|Muskogee]]<br /> *[[Pine Ridge, Oklahoma|Pine Ridge]]<br /> <br /> {{seealso|List of cities in Oklahoma|List of towns in Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> == Demographics ==<br /> {{Histpop<br /> | [[United States Census, 1890|1890]] | 258,657 | -<br /> | [[United States Census, 1900|1900]] | 790,391 | 206%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1910|1910]] | 1,657,155 | 110%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1920|1920]] | 2,028,283 | 22%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1930|1930]] | 2,396,040 | 18%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1940|1940]] | 2,336,434 | -2%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1950|1950]] | 2,233,351 | -4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1960|1960]] | 2,328,284 | 4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1970|1970]] | 2,559,229 | 10%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1980|1980]] | 3,025,290 | 18%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1990|1990]] | 3,145,585 | 4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 2000|2000]] | 3,450,654 | 10%<br /> }}<br /> <br /> According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2005, Oklahoma has an estimated population of 3,547,884, which is an increase of 24,338, or 0.7%, from the prior year and an increase of 97,232, or 2.8%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 80,753 people (that is 264,324 births minus 183,571 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 21,128 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 36,546 people, and migration within the country produced a net decrease of 15,418 people.<br /> <br /> The [[center of population]] of Oklahoma is located in [[Lincoln County, Oklahoma|Lincoln County]], in the town of [[Sparks, Oklahoma|Sparks]] [http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt].<br /> {{US Demographics}}<br /> The five largest ancestry groups in Oklahoma are [[German American|German]] (14.5%), American (13.1%), [[Irish American|Irish]] (11.8%), [[British American|English]] (9.6%), [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] (7.9%, with Cherokees as the largest tribe).<br /> <br /> German-Americans are present in the northwestern part of the state. American Indians predominate in eastern Oklahoma. Oklahomans of British ancestry dominate Tulsa and some other areas. Americans of African descent are a plurality in Lawton and Oklahoma City, while Pittsburg county has many Irish-Americans. Oklahoma City has the largest [[Asian]] and [[Asian American]] populations. A few western counties have significant [[Mexican American]] populations.<br /> <br /> 6.8% of Oklahoma's population was reported as under 5, 25.9% under 18, and 13.2% was 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.9% of the population.<br /> <br /> Descendants of these people still live in Oklahoma today.<br /> Counties with the names of these tribes also exist. Oklahoma has the second highest number of Native Americans/Amerindians in the country estimated at 395,219 as of 2003. Only California has a higher Amerindian population at 682,720 [http://eire.census.gov/popest/data/states/ST-EST2002-ASRO-04.php]. Oklahoma also has the second highest concentration of Native Americans/Amerindians in the nation with 11.4% of the state's population, topped only by Alaska at 19% of that state's population. [http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/c2kbr01-15.pdf]. 39 of the Amerindian tribes currently living in Oklahoma are headquartered in the state.<br /> <br /> === Religion ===<br /> The people of Oklahoma participate in 73 major religious affiliations ranging from the Southern Baptist Convention with 1578 churches and 967,223 members to the Holy Orthodox Church in North America, 1 church, 6 members. <br /> <br /> The 10 most popular religious affiliations (including "none") account for more than 90% of all Oklahomans:<ref>[http://thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/40_2000.asp Association of Religion Data Archives]</ref><br /> * No religious affiliation - 39.24%<br /> * [[Southern Baptist]] – 28.03%<br /> * [[United Methodist Church]] – 9.35%<br /> * [[Roman Catholic|Catholic Church]] – 4.89%<br /> * [[Assemblies of God]] – 2.56%<br /> * [[Church of Christ]] – 2.41%<br /> * [[Disciples of Christ]] - 1.56%<br /> * [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian Churches]] - 1.24%<br /> * [[Church of the Nazarene]] - 1.06<br /> * [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]] - 1.02%<br /> <sup>'''Note:''' Terms shown are the ones used by ARDA; ''Catholic Church'', for instance, versus ''Roman Catholic Church''. The ARDA also notes that their data undercounts traditionally-black churches.</sup><br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> *[[Watonga]], Oklahoma is the birth place of [[Clarence Nash]], better known as the voice of [[Donald Duck]]. Nash captured the ears of a young [[Walt Disney]] with his voice imitation of a duck. Nash provided Donald Duck's world famous voice exclusively until his death in [[1985]]<br /> *Oklahoma is one of only two states whose capital city's name includes the state name. The other is [[Indianapolis, Indiana]].<br /> *The first YIELD sign was used in a trial basis in Tulsa.<br /> * Oklahoma was the last state in the Union to legalize tattooing as of November 1, 2006. [http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=9b33bed6-0abe-421a-0028-8c1b4cab1a2e&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf ]<br /> * The world's first installed parking meter was in Oklahoma City, on July 16, 1935. Carl C. Magee, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is generally credited with originating the parking meter. He filed for a patent for a "coin controlled parking meter" on May 13, 1935.<br /> * Vinita is the oldest incorporated town on Oklahoma [[Route 66]], having been established in 1871. Vinita was the first town in Oklahoma to enjoy electricity. Originally named Downingville. The town's name was later changed to Vinita, in honor of Vinnie Ream, the sculptress who created the life-size statue of Lincoln at the [[United States Capitol]].<br /> * Rural Oklahoma, similar to problems faced by other Plains states ([[Nebraska]], [[Kansas]], [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]] and [[Iowa]]), is seeing populations fall in many communities. Between 1996 and 2004 nearly 500,000 people, half of them with college degrees, left the six states. The effects of rural flight in Oklahoma have mostly been felt in Western Oklahoma.<br /> * The Amateur Softball Association of America - a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, OK - was founded in 1933 and has evolved into the strongest softball organization in the country. <br /> * [[Boise City, Oklahoma]] was the only city in the continental United States to be bombed during [[World War II]]. On Monday night, July 5, 1943, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a B-17 Bomber based at Dalhart Army Air Base (50 miles to the south of Boise City) dropped six practice bombs on the sleeping town. <br /> * An Oklahoman, [[Sylvan Goldman]], invented the first shopping cart. <br /> * In Guthrie, nearly 20,000 lighters and "fire starters" are displayed at the National Lighter Museum. It is the nation's only museum devoted to the collection of lighters.<br /> * Oklahoma has approximately 11,611 miles of shoreline, slightly less than the estimated combined general (nontidal) coastline of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and Arctic Coasts which has 12,383 miles.<ref>Oklahoma Water Resources Board, [http://www.owrb.state.ok.us/util/waterfact.php ''Oklahoma Water Facts'']: "Oklahoma has approximately 11,611 miles of shoreline ...". (Retrieved August 3, 2006)</ref><br /> * In recent years, Oklahoma has become the second largest natural gas-producing state in the nation. Only Texas surpasses Oklahoma in natural gas production.<br /> <br /> ===Oklahoma state symbols===<br /> <br /> {| align="center" style="text-valign: center;"<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Flora<br /> |-<br /> |[[Floral emblem]]<br /> ||[[Mistletoe]]<br /> |-<br /> |[[Wildflower]]<br /> ||[[Indian Blanket]] <small> ''Gaillardia pulchella''<br /> ||1910<br /> |-<br /> |[[Tree]]<br /> ||[[Redbud]] <small> ''Cercis canadensis''<br /> ||1971<br /> |-<br /> |[[State grass|Grass]]<br /> ||[[Indian Grass]] <small>''Sorghastrum nutans''<br /> ||1972<br /> |-<br /> |[[State flower|Flower]]<br /> ||Oklahoma Rose<br /> ||2004<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Fauna<br /> |-<br /> |[[List of U.S. state birds|Bird]]<br /> ||[[Scissor-tailed Flycatcher]] <small>''Muscivora forficata''<br /> ||1951<br /> |-<br /> |[[State reptile|Reptile]]<br /> ||[[Common Collared Lizard|Collared Lizard]] <small>(Mountain Boomer) ''Crotaphytus collaris)''<br /> ||1969<br /> |-<br /> |[[State mammal|Mammal]]<br /> ||[[Bison]] <small>''Bison bison''<br /> ||1972<br /> |-<br /> |[[State fish|Fish]]<br /> ||[[White bass]] <small>(Sand bass) ''Morone chrysops''<br /> ||1974<br /> |-<br /> |[[State furbearer animal|Furbearer Animal]]<br /> ||[[Common Raccoon]] <small>''Procyon lotor''<br /> ||1989<br /> |-<br /> |[[State insect|Insect]]<br /> ||[[Western honey bee|European honey bee]] <small>''Apis mellifera''<br /> ||1992<br /> |-<br /> |[[State game animal|Game Animal]]<br /> ||[[White-tail deer]] <small>''Odocoileus virginians''<br /> ||1990<br /> |-<br /> |[[State game bird|Game Bird]]<br /> ||[[Wild Turkey]] <small>''Meleagris gallopavo''<br /> ||1990<br /> |-<br /> |[[State butterfly|Butterfly]]<br /> ||[[Black Swallowtail]] <small>''Papilio polyxenes''<br /> ||1996<br /> |-<br /> |[[State amphibian|Amphibian]]<br /> ||[[Bullfrog]] <small>''Rana catesbeiana''<br /> ||1997<br /> |-<br /> |[[State fossil|Fossil]]<br /> ||[[Allosaurid|Allosaurid dinosaur]] <small>''Saurophaganax maximus''<br /> ||2000<br /> |-<br /> |[[State flying mammal|Flying Mammal]]<br /> ||[[Mexican Free-Tailed Bat]] <small>''Tadarida brasiliensis''<br /> ||2006<br /> |-<br /> |[[State dinosaur|Dinosaur]]<br /> ||[[High Spined Lizard]] <small>''Acrocanthosaurus atokensis''<br /> ||2006<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Music<br /> |-<br /> |[[State waltz|waltz]]<br /> ||"''Oklahoma Wind''"<br /> |-<br /> |[[Anthem]]<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma! (song)|Oklahoma!]]"<br>lyrics: [[Oscar Hammerstein II]]<br>music: [[Richard Rodgers]]<br /> ||1953<br /> |-<br /> |[[state song|Song]]<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma Hills]]"<br>lyrics: [[Woody Guthrie]]<br>music: [[Woody Guthrie]]<br /> ||<br /> |-<br /> |[[Instrument|Musical Instrument]]<br /> ||[[Musical styles (violin)#Fiddle|Fiddle]]<br /> ||1984<br /> |-<br /> |[[Country and Western|Country and Western Song]]<br /> ||"Faded Love"<br>by [[John Willis]]<br>and [[Bob Wills]]<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |Folk Dance<br /> ||[[Square Dance]]<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |[[Percussion|Percussive Musical Instrument]]<br /> ||[[Drum]]<br /> ||1993<br /> |-<br /> |Children's Song<br /> ||"Oklahoma, My Native Land"<br>by Martha Kemm Barrett<br /> ||1996<br /> |-<br /> |Western Band<br /> ||The Sounds of the Southwest<br /> ||1997<br /> |-<br /> |Folk Song<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma Hills]]"<br>by [[Woody Guthrie]]<br>and [[Jack Guthrie]]<br /> ||2001<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3| Other<br /> |-<br /> |[[Colors]]<br /> ||[[Green]] and [[White]]<br /> ||1915<br /> |-<br /> |[[State rock|Rock]]<br /> ||[[Rose Rock]] <small> (Barite rose)<br /> ||1968<br /> |-<br /> |[[Theatre]]<br /> ||Lynn Riggs Players of Oklahoma, Inc.<br /> ||1971<br /> |-<br /> |[[Poem]]<br /> ||"Howdy Folks" by David Randolph Milsten<br /> ||1973<br /> |-<br /> |[[Pin]]<br /> ||"OK" pin<br /> ||1982<br /> |-<br /> |[[State beverage|Beverage]]<br /> ||[[Milk]]<br /> ||1985<br /> |-<br /> |[[State soil|Soil]]<br /> ||[[Port Silt Loam]] <small> ''Cumulic haplustolls''<br /> ||1987<br /> |-<br /> |[[Meal]]<br /> ||Fried okra,<br> [[Squash (fruit)|squash]],<br> [[cornbread]],<br> [[barbecue pork]],<br> [[biscuits]],<br> [[sausage and gravy]],<br> [[grits]],<br> [[maize|corn]],<br> [[strawberry|strawberries]],<br> [[chicken fried steak]],<br> [[pecan pie]],<br> and [[black-eyed peas]].<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |[[Poet Laureate]]<br /> ||biennial gubernatorial appointment<br /> ||1994<br /> |-<br /> |[[Tartan]]<br /> ||Oklahoma Tartan<br /> ||1999<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ===See also===<br /> <br /> * [http://www.50states.com/facts/okla.htm More Oklahoma Trivia]<br /> * [http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=5084612 Full Auto Shoot]<br /> <br /> == See also ==<br /> <br /> * [[Cavanal Hill]], World's tallest hill<br /> * [[List of people from Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[List of casinos#Oklahoma|Partial list of Oklahoma casinos]]<br /> * [[List of Oklahoma numbered highways]]<br /> * [[Scouting in Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[Okie]]<br /> * [[Oklahoma Highway Patrol]]<br /> <br /> ==Further reading==<br /> *{{cite book|last=Baird|first=W. David|coauthors=and Danney Goble|title=The Story of Oklahoma|year=1994|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-2650-7}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Dale|first=Edward Everett|coauthors=and Morris L. Wardell|title=History of Oklahoma|year=1948|publisher=Prentice-Hall|location=New York|url=http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=9570550}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Gibson|first=Arrell Morgan|title=Oklahoma: A History of Five Centuries|year=1981|edition=2nd ed.|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1758-3}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Goble|first=Danney|title=Progressive Oklahoma: The Making of a New Kind of State|year=1980|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1510-6}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Stephen|title=Oklahoma Politics in State and Nation|year=1974|edition=vol. 1 (1907-62)|publisher=Haymaker Press|location=Enid, Okla.}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Joyce|first=Davis D. (ed.)|title=An Oklahoma I Had Never Seen Before: Alternative Views of Oklahoma History|year=1994|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-2599-3}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morgan|first=Anne Hodges|coauthors=and H. Wayne Morgan (eds.)|title=Oklahoma: New Views of the Forty-sixth State|year=1982|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1651-X}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morgan|first=David R.|coauthors=Robert E. England, and George G. Humphreys|title=Oklahoma Politics and Policies: Governing the Sooner State|year=1991|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln|id=ISBN 0-8032-3106-7}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morris|first=John W.|coauthors=Charles R. Goins, and Edwin C. McReynolds|title=Historical Atlas of Oklahoma|year=1986|edition=3rd ed.|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1991-8}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Wishart|first=David J. (ed.)|title=Encyclopedia of the Great Plains|year=2004|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln|id=ISBN 0-8032-4787-7}}<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> <div class="references-small"><br /> * [[U.S. Census Bureau]].<br /> ** [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html Oklahoma QuickFacts]. Geographic and demographic information.<br /> ** [http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0056/tab51.pdf Oklahoma - Race and Hispanic Origin: 1890 to 1990] ([[Portable Document Format|PDF]])<br /> <references/><br /> </div><br /> <br /> == External links ==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma ''Wikipedia'' "Oklahoma"]<br /> * [http://www.ok.gov/ Oklahoma's Official Web Site]<br /> * [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html U.S. Census Bureau]<br /> * [http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/OK.htm Oklahoma State Facts]<br /> * [http://www.oklatourism.gov Oklahoma Tourism Official Website]<br /> <br /> {{Oklahoma}}<br /> {{United_States}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Oklahoma|*]]<br /> [[Category:1907 establishments]]<br /> [[Category:Kappler's Indian Affairs citations]]</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:58:12 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Main_Page Main Page http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Main_Page <p>Admin: /* Other important cities */</p> <hr /> <div>'''[[About the OKLAHOMA WIKI]]'''<br /> <br /> '''[http://editthis.info/oklahoma/Special:Recentchanges Recent Changes on Oklahoma Wiki]<br /> <br /> [[Caddo County]]<br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> <br /> '''Oklahoma''' is a [[U.S. state|state]] located in the southern Great Plains and Eastern Woodlands regions of the United States. It is sometimes called "Native America" and the "Sooner State", and is part of a region commonly known as the American "[[Heartland]]." [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] is the state's capital and largest city. The Congressional Quarterly and Census report place Oklahoma in the Southern United States. However, since Oklahoma is near the geographic center of the U.S., the regional influences add to Oklahoma's unique character. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma became the 46th state in the Union on November 16th, 1907. The state's name comes from the [[Choctaw]] words ''okla'' meaning people and ''homma'' meaning red, literally meaning "red people"<br /> ([http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/stinfo2.html see Oklahoma State History and Information]) and was chosen by [[Allen Wright]], Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation between 1866 and 1870. <ref name="">{{cite web | last=Merserve | first=John | year=1941 | month=December | url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/chronicles/v019/v019p314.html | title=Chief Allen Wright | work=Chronicles of Oklahoma | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-07}}</ref> It is a state with a colorful history, including its days as a frontier state, it being a destination of recently freed slaves looking for opportunity and equality, and being at the heart of the oil boom in the early 20th century. <br /> <br /> Most notably, Oklahoma has the nation's second largest [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] population. In honor of its large American Indian population, and for tourism purposes, Oklahoma is called "Native America." Oklahoma's early history is intertwined with the [[Trail of Tears]], which was the forced removal of the [[Five Civilized Tribes]] from the southeastern United States to present-day Oklahoma. As a testament to the state's western and American Indian heritage, Oklahoma ([[Tulsa]]) is the home of the world-renowned [[Gilcrease Museum]], which houses the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of [[American West]]ern art and artifacts, as well as an unparalled collection of American Indian, Central and South American art, artifacts, documents, and maps. <br /> <br /> == Geography ==<br /> {{portal}}<br /> {{see also|list of Oklahoma counties|list of Oklahoma townships|lakes in Oklahoma}}<br /> [[image:AR_Ouachita_Mountains.jpg|right|frame|The [[Ouachita Mountains]] dominate the<br /> [[Kiamichi country|southeastern quarter]] of Oklahoma]]<br /> Oklahoma is one of the six states on the [[Frontier Strip]]. It is bounded on the east by [[Arkansas]] and [[Missouri]], on the north by [[Kansas]] and northwest by [[Colorado]] (both at 37°N), on the far west by [[New Mexico]] (at 103°W), and on the south and near-west by [[Texas]]. The [[panhandle|panhandle's]] southern boundary is at 36.5°N, then turning due south along 100°W to the southern fork of the [[Red River (Mississippi watershed)|Red River]]), completing the round trip back to Arkansas. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma's four main mountain ranges include the [[Ouachita Mountains|Ouachitas]], [[Arbuckle Mountains|Arbuckles]], [[Wichita Mountains|Wichitas]], and the Kiamichis. In addition to several smaller ranges, Oklahoma also notably encompasses a portion of the [[Ozarks]].<br /> <br /> The state's highest peak, 4,973 feet (1,515&nbsp;m) [[Black Mesa]], resides in the far northwestern corner of the panhandle near the town of Kenton. The lowest elevation in the state is in the far southeastern corner, near Idabel, at 324 feet (99 m). Oklahoma also has what is officially considered the highest hill in the world, Cavanal Hill, at 1,999 feet (609 m); this is considering the fact that a "mountain" is anything 2,000 feet or higher. It is located in Poteau, Oklahoma.<ref name="TravelOK">{{ cite web | url=http://www.travelok.com/about/index.asp | title=About Oklahoma | publisher=TravelOK.com | language=English | accessdate=2006-07-10 }}</ref><br /> <br /> With 200 man-made lakes, Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state and boasts over one million surface-acres of water and 2,000 more miles (3,200 km) of shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined. Lake Eufaula is the largest lake in the state, covering 102,000 surface acres (413 km²) of water. <ref name="TravelOK">{{ cite web | url=http://http://www.travelok.com/about/index.asp | title=About Oklahoma | publisher=TravelOK.com | language=English | accessdate=2006-07-10 }}</ref><br /> <br /> [[Image:National-atlas-oklahoma.PNG|thumb|300px|right|Map of Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Image:Oklahoma_population_map.png|thumb|300px|right|Oklahoma Population Density Map]]<br /> <br /> === Regions ===<br /> From an ecoregional perspective, Oklahoma is recognized by the [[Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] as having 11 different [[ecoregion]]s (one of only four U.S. states to have more than 10 ecoregions). These ecoregions are: Western high plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Central [[Great Plains]], Tall Grass Prairie, [[Cross Timbers]], Caves & Prairie, [[Ozark]] Highlands, Ozark Forest, Hardwood Forest, [[Ouachita Mountains]], and Cypress Swamps & Forests.<br /> <br /> The Oklahoma Tourism Department divides the state down into six "countries" for tourism promotion purposes: [[Red Carpet Country]] (Northwestern Oklahoma and The Panhandle), Great Plains Country (Southwestern Oklahoma), Frontier Country (Central Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area), [[Green Country]] (Northeastern Oklahoma, including the Tulsa Metropolitan area), [[Kiamichi country]] (Southeastern Oklahoma), and [[Lake & Trail Country]] (South Central Oklahoma).<br /> <br /> Popular but "unofficial" regional designations include [[Green Country]] (most often used to refer to Northeastern Oklahoma, but used by some to refer to either all of Eastern Oklahoma or just the Tulsa Metropolitan Area), Little Dixie (Southeastern Oklahoma), Western Oklahoma, and the [[Oklahoma Panhandle]].<br /> <br /> ===Climate===<br /> Oklahoma is a state dominated by contrasting cold and warm [[air mass]]es which collide east of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. As can be expected, this results in a wide range of weather throughout the state, ranging from a borderline [[humid subtropical climate]] zone near the southeast part of the state to a [[semi-arid]] climate in the [[High Plains]] of the panhandle. While there is some variation in temperature in the state, with the south portion on the Texas border averaging an annual mean temperature of 62 °F, and the panhandle averaging under 54 °F, the main climatic difference in Oklahoma is precipitation. The southeast corner of the state near the Ouachita Mountains averages over 52 inches of precipitation a year. Moving west from that point, the precipitation decreases rapidly- for each 10 miles traveled west, the precipation is approximately 1 inch less. The driest part of the state is the extreme western panhandle with less than 16 inches annually. <br /> <br /> The most notable feature of Oklahoma's climate is its thunderstorms. While Oklahoma averages from 40-60 days of thunderstorms throughout the entire state, which is less frequent than thunderstorm activity in parts of the [[Southeast United States]] and the central Colorado Rockies, Oklahoma thunderstorms, which occur in what locals call a "fifth season" from April through July tend to be among the most severe in the world. During this "fifth season" colliding cold and warm air masses turn the entire state, especially the central part, into the heart of [[Tornado Alley]]. Central Oklahoma is the most tornado-prone area in the world, not only in terms of number of tornadoes(which exceeds 10 per 10,000 square miles), but also in terms of intensity.<ref name= "Annual average number of tornadoes"> [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/tornado/small/avgt5304.gif] NOAA National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved on October 24, 2006. </ref><br /> Some of the most severe tornadoes in history have occurred in Oklahoma, and it is no accident that the National Severe Weather Forecast Center is located in Norman. While central Oklahoma is the epicenter of Tornado Alley, other parts of the state are not immune.<br /> <br /> Snowfall is common in Oklahoma every winter, although it is not extreme, ranging from an average of less than 4 inches in the southern part of the state to just over 20 inches on the Colorado border in the panhandle.<br /> <br /> == History ==<br /> [[History of Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> == Law and government ==<br /> {{OKGovernment}}<br /> === State government ===<br /> {{Main|Government of Oklahoma}}<br /> The [[capital]] of the state is [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] and the [[Governor of Oklahoma]] is [[Brad Henry]] (Democrat). Other Executive Branch elected officials include [[Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma]] [[Mary Fallin]] (Republican), [[Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector|State Auditor]] [[Jeff McMahan]] (Democrat), [[Attorney General of Oklahoma|Attorney General]] [[Drew Edmondson]] (Democrat), [[State Treasurer of Oklahoma|State Treasurer]] [[Scott Meacham]] (Democrat), [[Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction|State School Superintendent]] [[Sandy Garrett]] (Democrat), Labor Commissioner [[Brenda Reneau]] (Republican), Insurance Commissioner [[Kim Holland]] (Democrat), and the three member State Corporation Commission which currently consists of [[Bob Anthony]] (Republican), [[Jeff Cloud]] (Republican), and [[Denise Bode]] (Republican). The Secretary of State, [[Secretary of State of Oklahoma]] [[M. Susan Savage]] (Democrat), is appointed by the Governor.<br /> <br /> As a result of the 2006 elections, the Lieutenant Governor will be Jari Askins (Democrat) and the new Labor Commissioner will be Loyd Fields. They take office on January 8, 2007.<br /> <br /> [[Image:Oklahoma State Capitol.jpg|thumb|350px|left|The state capitol building of Oklahoma, located in eastern [[Oklahoma City]].]]<br /> <br /> The [[Oklahoma Legislature|Legislature of Oklahoma]] consists of the [[Oklahoma Senate|Senate]] and the [[Oklahoma House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. The Senate has 48 members serving four-year terms, while the House has 101 members with two year terms. The state has term limits for their legislature that restrict any one person to a total of twelve years service in both the House and Senate. In the 2007&ndash;2008 state legislature, the Republicans control the House of Representatives (57 to 44) and the Senate is currently evenly divided (24 to 24). This changes the government's make-up; before the 2004 election the Democrats had controlled both chambers since 1921. Republicans have never controlled the State Senate outright.<br /> <br /> The state's judicial branch consists of the [[Oklahoma Supreme Court]], the Court of Criminal Appeals, and 77 District Courts which serve one county apiece. The Oklahoma judiciary also contains two independent courts: a Court of [[Impeachment]] (which is the Senate sitting) and the [[Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary]]. Oklahoma is unusual in that it has two courts of last resort, the state Supreme Court hears civil cases, and the state Court of Criminal Appeals hears criminal cases (the state of [[Texas]] uses a similar system). Judges of those two courts, as well as the Court of Civil Appeals are appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the state Judicial Nominating Commission, and are subject to a [[non-partisan]] retention vote on a six-year rotating schedule.<br /> <br /> Due to Oklahoma's restrictive ballot access laws (deemed by many to be the most restrictive in the nation), third parties have very limited access to the primary ballots, however the state does have the following active third parties: [[Oklahoma Libertarian Party]], [[Green Party of Oklahoma]], [[Oklahoma Constitution Party]]. There are also organizers from the [[Communist Party USA]] working in the state. Oklahoma's Major political parties are the [[Oklahoma Democratic Party]] and the [[Oklahoma Republican Party]].<br /> <br /> {{seealso|Governor of Oklahoma}}<br /> {{seealso|Oklahoma Legislature}}<br /> {{seealso|Oklahoma Supreme Court}}<br /> <br /> === Local governance ===<br /> The state is divided into 77 counties which deliver local government. Each is governed by a three member commission. Other county elected officials are the tax assessor, clerk, court clerk, treasurer, and sheriff.<br /> <br /> Cities and towns are established under the rights granted in the Oklahoma statutes (in comparison, Oklahoma gives municipal governments a great deal of latitude in chartering new governments). Towns are municipalities of under 1000 residents, while cities have more than 1000 residents. Major cities are also allowed to form "charter governments," in which the voters choose the form of government they want to use in place of the statutory forms.<br /> <br /> Other local government units in Oklahoma include independent and dependent school districts, Technology Center Districts (once known as VOTECH), community college districts, rural fire departments, rural water districts, and other special use districts.<br /> <br /> === National politics ===<br /> After the [[United States Census Bureau|2000 census]] the Oklahoma delegation to the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] was reduced from six to five representatives. For the [[109th United States Congress|109th Congress]] (2005&ndash;2006) there are no changes in party strength, and the delegation has four [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and one [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]. Oklahoma's two U.S. senators are [[James M. Inhofe]] (Republican) and [[Tom Coburn]] (Republican). The U.S. Representatives are [[John Sullivan (U.S. Rep)|John Sullivan]] (Republican) of District 1, [[Dan Boren]] (Democrat) of District 2, [[Frank D. Lucas]] (Republican) of District 3, [[Tom Cole]] (Republican) of District 4, and [[Ernest Istook]] (Republican) of District 5.<br /> <br /> Although there are more registered Democrats in Oklahoma than registered Republicans, it has become a solid Republican state in presidential elections, voting for the Republican in every election from 1968 forward (however the 1976 Carter-Ford race was close). In 2004, [[George W. Bush]] carried every county in the state and 65.6% of the vote.<br /> <br /> == Economy ==<br /> Oklahoma is a major fuel and food-producing state; thousands of oil and natural gas wells dot the Oklahoma landscape, and the state is among the highest food producing states in the nation.<br /> Its main agricultural outputs are soy, wheat, cattle, dairy, poultry, and cotton. Oklahoma ranks fourth in the nation in the production of all wheat, fourth in cattle and calf production; fifth in the production of pecans; sixth in peanuts and eight in peaches.<br /> Its industrial outputs are transportation equipment, machinery, electric products, rubber and plastic products, and food processing.<br /> Its 1999 total gross state product was $86 billion, placing it 29th in the nation.<br /> Its 2000 per capita personal income was $23,517, 43rd in the nation.<br /> Oklahoma City suburb [[Nichols Hills, Oklahoma|Nichols Hills]] is ranked first on [[Oklahoma locations by per capita income]] at $73,661.<br /> <br /> [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] is a primary economic engine of the state, centered on the finance, retail, governance, entertainment, and tourism sectors. The city has numerous manufacturing and processing plants as well as a growing biotech research and health center. Oklahoma City has a large aviation market and its location at the intersection of [[I-35]], [[I-40]], and [[I-44]] makes Oklahoma City an important distribution point. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma City is home to many corporate and regional headquarters including [[Devon Energy]], [[Chesapeake Energy]], [[Sonic Drive-In]], [[AT&T]], [[The Hertz Corporation]], BancFirst, [[OGE Energy]], Midfirst Bank, [[Hobby Lobby]], [[Dobson Communications]], Express Personnel Services, Oklahoma Publishing Company, Spectro Wire & Cable, Inc., Rainbo Manufacturing, Globe Life and Accident Insurance, [[Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.]], and [[Big Daddy's BBQ Sauce]].<br /> <br /> [[Image:Downtown Tulsa.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Tulsa is a major economic center for the state.]]<br /> <br /> [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] is another primary economic engine of the state, centered on energy, aerospace, telecommunications, and transportation. The city has the nation's most inland sea port and Oklahoma's only connection to the ocean, the [[Tulsa Port of Catoosa]] [http://www.tulsaport.com/], which connects the state with international ocean trade routes through the [[Arkansas River]] and [[Mississippi River]]. Despite an oil bust that plagued the entire state in the 1980's, Tulsa is still among the top cities in the nation for the number of oil and energy related company headquarters. Tulsa is also home to an extensive aviation market, exemplified by its [[American Airlines]] maintenance center, the largest airline maintenance base in the world. <br /> <br /> Recently, Forbes magazine rated Tulsa as second in the nation in job income growth, and one of the best 50 cities to do business in the country. <ref name="forbestop50">{{cite web | date=2006 | url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/1/2813.html | title= Tulsa, OK: Best Places to do Business 2006 | format=web | work=Forbes Magazine| pages=1 | publisher= Forbes Magazine| language=English | accessdate=2006-07-23}}</ref><br /> <br /> Companies based in Tulsa include The NORDAM Group, BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF), [[Bank of Oklahoma]], [[Williams Companies]], Oneok, Wiltel, [[QuikTrip]], Public Service of Oklahoma, [[Mazzio's]] Corporation, [[RibCrib]], [[SemGroup]], [[Thrifty Car Rental|Dollar-Thrifty]], [[Hilti]] USA, and [[Vanguard]]. <br /> <br /> Both of Oklahoma's major metropolitan areas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, are engaged in large-scale economic development and tourism initiatives.<br /> <br /> == Transportation ==<br /> Primary interstate highways in Oklahoma include [[I-35]], which traverses the state from north to south, [[I-40]], which traverses the state from east to west, and [[I-44]], which enters Oklahoma in the southwest and leaves the state in the northeast corner. These highways all run through Oklahoma City.<br /> <br /> The state's other interstate highways are Interstates 235, 240, 244 and (unsigned) 444. [[Interstate 235 (Oklahoma)|I-235]] (Centennial Expressway) is a north-south freeway connecting I-35 and I-44 through the center of Oklahoma City. [[Interstate 240 (Oklahoma)|I-240]] (South Bypass) is an east-west freeway serving as a southern bypass of Oklahoma City. [[I-244]] (Crosstown Expressway/MLK Expressway) is a loop that connects downtown Tulsa to I-44, and [[I-444]], which is unsigned, forms the south and east sides of the "Inner Dispersal Loop" in downtown Tulsa.<br /> <br /> Oklahoma is served by two major airports:<br /> <br /> *[[Will Rogers World Airport]], Oklahoma City<br /> *[[Tulsa International Airport]]<br /> <br /> There are also numerous other regional and general aviation airports:<br /> <br /> See: [[List of airports in Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> Amtrak also operates a daily train between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, the [[Heartland Flyer]]. <br /> *[http://www.heartlandflyer.com/index.htm Heartland Flyer] Official Website<br /> <br /> == Education ==<br /> {{main|List of Oklahoma school districts by county|List of school districts in Oklahoma|List of private schools in Oklahoma|List of CareerTech centers in Oklahoma|List of colleges and universities in Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> == Culture ==<br /> [[Image:OklahomaPrairie.jpg|thumb|250px|Oklahoma Prairie]]<br /> <br /> The various government sponsored arts, community, and tourism programs emphasize Oklahoma's Native American heritage heavily. There are many central areas of Native American heritage in Oklahoma, including one of the most notable, Tahlequah, which is near Muskogee in Eastern Oklahoma. Native American culture runs deep in the lives of Oklahomans and one may experience it through various cultural programs including pow wows, the Tsa-La-Gi village in Tahlequah, OK and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.<br /> <br /> Other ethnic celebrations include those of [[Yukon, Oklahoma|Yukon]] & Prague (celebrating the Czech heritage of some early immigrants), [[Tulsa]]'s Greek Holiday, the Tulsa Scottish Games, Shalomfest (in Tulsa), Tulsa's German Oktoberfest, the Mennonite Relief Sale (in Enid, OK), Italian festivals and neighborhoods in the McAlester and Krebs area, traditional [[Asian]], [[African American]], and [[Hispanic]] celebrations in [[Oklahoma City]] as well as the [[pride parade]] and festival in the city's [[39th GLBT|GLBT]] district, and the [[Juneteenth]] Celebrations found all across the state.<br /> <br /> ==Sports==<br /> Because of the [[Hurricane Katrina|devastation]] of [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] in 2005, the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]'s New Orleans Hornets relocated to Oklahoma City and are currently known as the [[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets]]. The Hornets are the first [[major professional sports league]] franchise to play in the state. The owner of the Hornets announced in December of 2006, that the team would be returning to New Orleans for the 2007-2008 season.<br /> <br /> The recent purchase of the Seattle Supersonics NBA Basketball team, by a group of Oklahoma businessmen, has led to speculation that the team will be relocated to Oklahoma City in the near future.<br /> <br /> The [[minor league baseball]] teams are:<br /> *[[Oklahoma RedHawks]] ([[Minor league baseball|AAA]] in Oklahoma City)<br /> *[[Tulsa Drillers]] ([[Minor league baseball|AA]] in Tulsa)<br /> <br /> Other [[Oklahoma City]] teams include<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Blazers]] ([[Ice Hockey]]: [[Central Hockey League|CHL]])<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz]] ([[Arena Football League]]: [[AF2]])<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Lightning]] ([[Women's Football]]: [[National Women's Football Association|NWFA]])<br /> *[[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets]] ([[National Basketball Association]])<br /> <br /> Other [[Enid]] teams include<br /> *[[Oklahoma Storm]] ([[Basketball]]: [[United States Basketball League]])<br /> <br /> Other [[Tulsa]] teams include<br /> *[[Tulsa Oilers (hockey team)|Tulsa Oilers]] ([[Ice Hockey]]: [[Central Hockey League|CHL]])<br /> *[[Tulsa Talons]] ([[Arena Football]]: [[AF2]])<br /> *[[Tulsa 66ers]] ([[Basketball]]: [[NBA Development League]])<br /> <br /> Oklahoma's major college teams are<br /> *the [[Oklahoma Sooners]] ([[University of Oklahoma]])<br /> *the [[Oklahoma State Cowboys]] ([[Oklahoma State University]])<br /> *the [[Tulsa Golden Hurricane]] ([[University of Tulsa]])<br /> <br /> == Important cities and metropolitan areas==<br /> ===Oklahoma City ===<br /> {{Main|Oklahoma City, Oklahoma}}<br /> [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]], with a population of 523,303 in the immediate city limits<ref name="Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau">{{ cite web | date=2006-01-12 | url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/4055000.html | title=Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau | work=State & County QuickFacts | publisher=U.S. Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-09-16 }}</ref> and 1.3 million in the metro area,<ref>[http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Profiles/Single/2003/ACS/Narrative/380/NP38000US5880.htm Population and Housing Profile: Oklahoma City, OK MSA (2003)] Retrieved September 16, 2006</ref> is the principal city of the eight-county [[Oklahoma City Metroplex]] and is Oklahoma's largest urbanized area. As of 2000, it was the 47th largest metro in the nation.<ref name="US Census - Metro ranks 2000">{{cite web | date=2003-12-30 | url=http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab03a.pdf | title=Population in Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Ranked by 2000 Population for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000 | format=PDF | work=United States Census 2000 | pages=3 | publisher=United State Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-08}}</ref> Some of the major cities comprising the Oklahoma City Metro include [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]], [[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]], [[Guthrie, Oklahoma|Guthrie]], [[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]], [[Mustang, Oklahoma|Mustang]], [[Yukon, Oklahoma|Yukon]], [[Shawnee, Oklahoma|Shawnee]], [[Del City, Oklahoma|Del City]], [[Midwest City, Oklahoma|Midewest City]].<br /> <br /> Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma, as well as its main civic, business, and arts and entertainment hub. Oklahoma City is steadily recovering from the oil bust that destroyed the city's identity{{fact}}.<br /> <br /> ===Tulsa===<br /> {{main|Tulsa, Oklahoma}}<br /> [[Tulsa]] is the second largest city in Oklahoma, with 387,807 within the city limits<ref name="Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau">{{ cite web | date=2006-09-16 | url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/4075000.html | title=Tulsa (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau | work=State & County QuickFacts | publisher=U.S. Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-07 }}</ref> and 890,000 in the statistical metropolitan area.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Profiles/Single/2003/ACS/Narrative/380/NP38000US8560.htm Population and Housing Profile: Tulsa, OK MSA (2003)] Retrieved September 16, 2006</ref>. The city is an important Southern and Midwest regional economic hub, and is the architectural center of the state. It is Oklahoma's second largest urbanized area. As of 2000, it was the 53rd largest metropolitan area in the nation.<ref name="US Census - Metro ranks 2000"/><br /> <br /> ===Other important cities===<br /> *[[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]] (3rd Largest City)<br /> *[[Lawton, Oklahoma|Lawton]] (4th Largest City)<br /> *[[Broken Arrow, Oklahoma|Broken Arrow]] (5th Largest City)<br /> *[[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]] (6th Largest City)<br /> *[[Midwest City, Oklahoma|Midwest City]] (7th Largest City)<br /> *[[Enid, Oklahoma|Enid]] (8th Largest City)<br /> *[[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]] (9th Largest City)<br /> *[[Stillwater, Oklahoma|Stillwater]] (10th Largest City)<br /> *[[Bartlesville, Oklahoma|Bartlesville]]<br /> *[[Claremore, Oklahoma|Claremore]]<br /> *[[Owasso, Oklahoma|Owasso]]<br /> *[[Sand Springs, Oklahoma|Sand Springs]]<br /> *[[Jenks, Oklahoma|Jenks]] <br /> *[[Ponca City, Oklahoma|Ponca City]]<br /> *[[Muskogee, Oklahoma|Muskogee]]<br /> *[[Pine Ridge, Oklahoma|Pine Ridge]]<br /> <br /> {{seealso|List of cities in Oklahoma|List of towns in Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> == Demographics ==<br /> {{Histpop<br /> | [[United States Census, 1890|1890]] | 258,657 | -<br /> | [[United States Census, 1900|1900]] | 790,391 | 206%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1910|1910]] | 1,657,155 | 110%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1920|1920]] | 2,028,283 | 22%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1930|1930]] | 2,396,040 | 18%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1940|1940]] | 2,336,434 | -2%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1950|1950]] | 2,233,351 | -4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1960|1960]] | 2,328,284 | 4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1970|1970]] | 2,559,229 | 10%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1980|1980]] | 3,025,290 | 18%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1990|1990]] | 3,145,585 | 4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 2000|2000]] | 3,450,654 | 10%<br /> }}<br /> <br /> According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2005, Oklahoma has an estimated population of 3,547,884, which is an increase of 24,338, or 0.7%, from the prior year and an increase of 97,232, or 2.8%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 80,753 people (that is 264,324 births minus 183,571 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 21,128 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 36,546 people, and migration within the country produced a net decrease of 15,418 people.<br /> <br /> The [[center of population]] of Oklahoma is located in [[Lincoln County, Oklahoma|Lincoln County]], in the town of [[Sparks, Oklahoma|Sparks]] [http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt].<br /> {{US Demographics}}<br /> The five largest ancestry groups in Oklahoma are [[German American|German]] (14.5%), American (13.1%), [[Irish American|Irish]] (11.8%), [[British American|English]] (9.6%), [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] (7.9%, with Cherokees as the largest tribe).<br /> <br /> German-Americans are present in the northwestern part of the state. American Indians predominate in eastern Oklahoma. Oklahomans of British ancestry dominate Tulsa and some other areas. Americans of African descent are a plurality in Lawton and Oklahoma City, while Pittsburg county has many Irish-Americans. Oklahoma City has the largest [[Asian]] and [[Asian American]] populations. A few western counties have significant [[Mexican American]] populations.<br /> <br /> 6.8% of Oklahoma's population was reported as under 5, 25.9% under 18, and 13.2% was 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.9% of the population.<br /> <br /> Descendants of these people still live in Oklahoma today.<br /> Counties with the names of these tribes also exist. Oklahoma has the second highest number of Native Americans/Amerindians in the country estimated at 395,219 as of 2003. Only California has a higher Amerindian population at 682,720 [http://eire.census.gov/popest/data/states/ST-EST2002-ASRO-04.php]. Oklahoma also has the second highest concentration of Native Americans/Amerindians in the nation with 11.4% of the state's population, topped only by Alaska at 19% of that state's population. [http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/c2kbr01-15.pdf]. 39 of the Amerindian tribes currently living in Oklahoma are headquartered in the state.<br /> <br /> === Religion ===<br /> The people of Oklahoma participate in 73 major religious affiliations ranging from the Southern Baptist Convention with 1578 churches and 967,223 members to the Holy Orthodox Church in North America, 1 church, 6 members. <br /> <br /> The 10 most popular religious affiliations (including "none") account for more than 90% of all Oklahomans:<ref>[http://thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/40_2000.asp Association of Religion Data Archives]</ref><br /> * No religious affiliation - 39.24%<br /> * [[Southern Baptist]] – 28.03%<br /> * [[United Methodist Church]] – 9.35%<br /> * [[Roman Catholic|Catholic Church]] – 4.89%<br /> * [[Assemblies of God]] – 2.56%<br /> * [[Church of Christ]] – 2.41%<br /> * [[Disciples of Christ]] - 1.56%<br /> * [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian Churches]] - 1.24%<br /> * [[Church of the Nazarene]] - 1.06<br /> * [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]] - 1.02%<br /> <sup>'''Note:''' Terms shown are the ones used by ARDA; ''Catholic Church'', for instance, versus ''Roman Catholic Church''. The ARDA also notes that their data undercounts traditionally-black churches.</sup><br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> *[[Watonga]], Oklahoma is the birth place of [[Clarence Nash]], better known as the voice of [[Donald Duck]]. Nash captured the ears of a young [[Walt Disney]] with his voice imitation of a duck. Nash provided Donald Duck's world famous voice exclusively until his death in [[1985]]<br /> *Oklahoma is one of only two states whose capital city's name includes the state name. The other is [[Indianapolis, Indiana]].<br /> *The first YIELD sign was used in a trial basis in Tulsa.<br /> * Oklahoma was the last state in the Union to legalize tattooing as of November 1, 2006. [http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=9b33bed6-0abe-421a-0028-8c1b4cab1a2e&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf ]<br /> * The world's first installed parking meter was in Oklahoma City, on July 16, 1935. Carl C. Magee, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is generally credited with originating the parking meter. He filed for a patent for a "coin controlled parking meter" on May 13, 1935.<br /> * Vinita is the oldest incorporated town on Oklahoma [[Route 66]], having been established in 1871. Vinita was the first town in Oklahoma to enjoy electricity. Originally named Downingville. The town's name was later changed to Vinita, in honor of Vinnie Ream, the sculptress who created the life-size statue of Lincoln at the [[United States Capitol]].<br /> * Rural Oklahoma, similar to problems faced by other Plains states ([[Nebraska]], [[Kansas]], [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]] and [[Iowa]]), is seeing populations fall in many communities. Between 1996 and 2004 nearly 500,000 people, half of them with college degrees, left the six states. The effects of rural flight in Oklahoma have mostly been felt in Western Oklahoma.<br /> * The Amateur Softball Association of America - a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, OK - was founded in 1933 and has evolved into the strongest softball organization in the country. <br /> * [[Boise City, Oklahoma]] was the only city in the continental United States to be bombed during [[World War II]]. On Monday night, July 5, 1943, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a B-17 Bomber based at Dalhart Army Air Base (50 miles to the south of Boise City) dropped six practice bombs on the sleeping town. <br /> * An Oklahoman, [[Sylvan Goldman]], invented the first shopping cart. <br /> * In Guthrie, nearly 20,000 lighters and "fire starters" are displayed at the National Lighter Museum. It is the nation's only museum devoted to the collection of lighters.<br /> * Oklahoma has approximately 11,611 miles of shoreline, slightly less than the estimated combined general (nontidal) coastline of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and Arctic Coasts which has 12,383 miles.<ref>Oklahoma Water Resources Board, [http://www.owrb.state.ok.us/util/waterfact.php ''Oklahoma Water Facts'']: "Oklahoma has approximately 11,611 miles of shoreline ...". (Retrieved August 3, 2006)</ref><br /> * In recent years, Oklahoma has become the second largest natural gas-producing state in the nation. Only Texas surpasses Oklahoma in natural gas production.<br /> <br /> ===Oklahoma state symbols===<br /> <br /> {| align="center" style="text-valign: center;"<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Flora<br /> |-<br /> |[[Floral emblem]]<br /> ||[[Mistletoe]]<br /> |-<br /> |[[Wildflower]]<br /> ||[[Indian Blanket]] <small> ''Gaillardia pulchella''<br /> ||1910<br /> |-<br /> |[[Tree]]<br /> ||[[Redbud]] <small> ''Cercis canadensis''<br /> ||1971<br /> |-<br /> |[[State grass|Grass]]<br /> ||[[Indian Grass]] <small>''Sorghastrum nutans''<br /> ||1972<br /> |-<br /> |[[State flower|Flower]]<br /> ||Oklahoma Rose<br /> ||2004<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Fauna<br /> |-<br /> |[[List of U.S. state birds|Bird]]<br /> ||[[Scissor-tailed Flycatcher]] <small>''Muscivora forficata''<br /> ||1951<br /> |-<br /> |[[State reptile|Reptile]]<br /> ||[[Common Collared Lizard|Collared Lizard]] <small>(Mountain Boomer) ''Crotaphytus collaris)''<br /> ||1969<br /> |-<br /> |[[State mammal|Mammal]]<br /> ||[[Bison]] <small>''Bison bison''<br /> ||1972<br /> |-<br /> |[[State fish|Fish]]<br /> ||[[White bass]] <small>(Sand bass) ''Morone chrysops''<br /> ||1974<br /> |-<br /> |[[State furbearer animal|Furbearer Animal]]<br /> ||[[Common Raccoon]] <small>''Procyon lotor''<br /> ||1989<br /> |-<br /> |[[State insect|Insect]]<br /> ||[[Western honey bee|European honey bee]] <small>''Apis mellifera''<br /> ||1992<br /> |-<br /> |[[State game animal|Game Animal]]<br /> ||[[White-tail deer]] <small>''Odocoileus virginians''<br /> ||1990<br /> |-<br /> |[[State game bird|Game Bird]]<br /> ||[[Wild Turkey]] <small>''Meleagris gallopavo''<br /> ||1990<br /> |-<br /> |[[State butterfly|Butterfly]]<br /> ||[[Black Swallowtail]] <small>''Papilio polyxenes''<br /> ||1996<br /> |-<br /> |[[State amphibian|Amphibian]]<br /> ||[[Bullfrog]] <small>''Rana catesbeiana''<br /> ||1997<br /> |-<br /> |[[State fossil|Fossil]]<br /> ||[[Allosaurid|Allosaurid dinosaur]] <small>''Saurophaganax maximus''<br /> ||2000<br /> |-<br /> |[[State flying mammal|Flying Mammal]]<br /> ||[[Mexican Free-Tailed Bat]] <small>''Tadarida brasiliensis''<br /> ||2006<br /> |-<br /> |[[State dinosaur|Dinosaur]]<br /> ||[[High Spined Lizard]] <small>''Acrocanthosaurus atokensis''<br /> ||2006<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Music<br /> |-<br /> |[[State waltz|waltz]]<br /> ||"''Oklahoma Wind''"<br /> |-<br /> |[[Anthem]]<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma! (song)|Oklahoma!]]"<br>lyrics: [[Oscar Hammerstein II]]<br>music: [[Richard Rodgers]]<br /> ||1953<br /> |-<br /> |[[state song|Song]]<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma Hills]]"<br>lyrics: [[Woody Guthrie]]<br>music: [[Woody Guthrie]]<br /> ||<br /> |-<br /> |[[Instrument|Musical Instrument]]<br /> ||[[Musical styles (violin)#Fiddle|Fiddle]]<br /> ||1984<br /> |-<br /> |[[Country and Western|Country and Western Song]]<br /> ||"Faded Love"<br>by [[John Willis]]<br>and [[Bob Wills]]<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |Folk Dance<br /> ||[[Square Dance]]<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |[[Percussion|Percussive Musical Instrument]]<br /> ||[[Drum]]<br /> ||1993<br /> |-<br /> |Children's Song<br /> ||"Oklahoma, My Native Land"<br>by Martha Kemm Barrett<br /> ||1996<br /> |-<br /> |Western Band<br /> ||The Sounds of the Southwest<br /> ||1997<br /> |-<br /> |Folk Song<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma Hills]]"<br>by [[Woody Guthrie]]<br>and [[Jack Guthrie]]<br /> ||2001<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3| Other<br /> |-<br /> |[[Colors]]<br /> ||[[Green]] and [[White]]<br /> ||1915<br /> |-<br /> |[[State rock|Rock]]<br /> ||[[Rose Rock]] <small> (Barite rose)<br /> ||1968<br /> |-<br /> |[[Theatre]]<br /> ||Lynn Riggs Players of Oklahoma, Inc.<br /> ||1971<br /> |-<br /> |[[Poem]]<br /> ||"Howdy Folks" by David Randolph Milsten<br /> ||1973<br /> |-<br /> |[[Pin]]<br /> ||"OK" pin<br /> ||1982<br /> |-<br /> |[[State beverage|Beverage]]<br /> ||[[Milk]]<br /> ||1985<br /> |-<br /> |[[State soil|Soil]]<br /> ||[[Port Silt Loam]] <small> ''Cumulic haplustolls''<br /> ||1987<br /> |-<br /> |[[Meal]]<br /> ||Fried okra,<br> [[Squash (fruit)|squash]],<br> [[cornbread]],<br> [[barbecue pork]],<br> [[biscuits]],<br> [[sausage and gravy]],<br> [[grits]],<br> [[maize|corn]],<br> [[strawberry|strawberries]],<br> [[chicken fried steak]],<br> [[pecan pie]],<br> and [[black-eyed peas]].<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |[[Poet Laureate]]<br /> ||biennial gubernatorial appointment<br /> ||1994<br /> |-<br /> |[[Tartan]]<br /> ||Oklahoma Tartan<br /> ||1999<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ===See also===<br /> <br /> * [http://www.50states.com/facts/okla.htm More Oklahoma Trivia]<br /> * [http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=5084612 Full Auto Shoot]<br /> <br /> == See also ==<br /> <br /> * [[Cavanal Hill]], World's tallest hill<br /> * [[List of people from Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[List of casinos#Oklahoma|Partial list of Oklahoma casinos]]<br /> * [[List of Oklahoma numbered highways]]<br /> * [[Scouting in Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[Okie]]<br /> * [[Oklahoma Highway Patrol]]<br /> <br /> ==Further reading==<br /> *{{cite book|last=Baird|first=W. David|coauthors=and Danney Goble|title=The Story of Oklahoma|year=1994|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-2650-7}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Dale|first=Edward Everett|coauthors=and Morris L. Wardell|title=History of Oklahoma|year=1948|publisher=Prentice-Hall|location=New York|url=http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=9570550}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Gibson|first=Arrell Morgan|title=Oklahoma: A History of Five Centuries|year=1981|edition=2nd ed.|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1758-3}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Goble|first=Danney|title=Progressive Oklahoma: The Making of a New Kind of State|year=1980|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1510-6}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Stephen|title=Oklahoma Politics in State and Nation|year=1974|edition=vol. 1 (1907-62)|publisher=Haymaker Press|location=Enid, Okla.}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Joyce|first=Davis D. (ed.)|title=An Oklahoma I Had Never Seen Before: Alternative Views of Oklahoma History|year=1994|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-2599-3}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morgan|first=Anne Hodges|coauthors=and H. Wayne Morgan (eds.)|title=Oklahoma: New Views of the Forty-sixth State|year=1982|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1651-X}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morgan|first=David R.|coauthors=Robert E. England, and George G. Humphreys|title=Oklahoma Politics and Policies: Governing the Sooner State|year=1991|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln|id=ISBN 0-8032-3106-7}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morris|first=John W.|coauthors=Charles R. Goins, and Edwin C. McReynolds|title=Historical Atlas of Oklahoma|year=1986|edition=3rd ed.|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1991-8}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Wishart|first=David J. (ed.)|title=Encyclopedia of the Great Plains|year=2004|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln|id=ISBN 0-8032-4787-7}}<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> <div class="references-small"><br /> * [[U.S. Census Bureau]].<br /> ** [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html Oklahoma QuickFacts]. Geographic and demographic information.<br /> ** [http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0056/tab51.pdf Oklahoma - Race and Hispanic Origin: 1890 to 1990] ([[Portable Document Format|PDF]])<br /> <references/><br /> </div><br /> <br /> == External links ==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma ''Wikipedia'' "Oklahoma"]<br /> * [http://www.ok.gov/ Oklahoma's Official Web Site]<br /> * [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html U.S. Census Bureau]<br /> * [http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/OK.htm Oklahoma State Facts]<br /> * [http://www.oklatourism.gov Oklahoma Tourism Official Website]<br /> <br /> {{Oklahoma}}<br /> {{United_States}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Oklahoma|*]]<br /> [[Category:1907 establishments]]<br /> [[Category:Kappler's Indian Affairs citations]]</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:57:50 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Main_Page Ozark Trail (road system) http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Ozark_Trail_(road_system) <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>The '''Ozark Trail''' was a network of locally maintained roads and highways that predated the advent of the [[United States]] federal highway system. The roads ran more from [[St. Louis, Missouri]] to [[El Paso, Texas]] over a series of routes [http://www.marion.ohio-state.edu/fac/schul/trails/national/ozark.html]. These roads were maintained by both private citizens and local communities. In one case, however, the US Federal Government got involved &mdash; the Ozark Trail bridge over the South [[Canadian River]] between [[Newcastle, Oklahoma]] and [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] was the first federal highway project built in [[Oklahoma]], in [[1925]].<br /> <br /> These roads comprised the major highway system in the region until [[U.S. Highway 66]] was built in the [[1920s]].<br /> <br /> In [[Oklahoma]], portions of the section line roads between [[Anadarko, Oklahoma|Anadarko]] and [[Hobart, Oklahoma|Hobart]] are still referred to as "The Old Ozark Trail".<br /> <br /> A few examples found online of modern uses of the term "Ozark Trail" to refer to this road include:<br /> <br /> *[http://web.archive.org/web/20041107110220/http://www.newcastle.us/pineridgeoklahoma/olddefault021603.htm A blog] from a nearby farm.<br /> *A point on the trail near the confluence of [http://www.confluence.org/confluence.php?lat=35&lon=-99 35°N, 99°W].<br /> *[http://rebelcherokee.labdiva.com/Kctycemlist.html A cemetery list] that mentions the Ozark Trail as a landmark.<br /> <br /> [[Category:Auto trails in the United States]]<br /> [[Category:U.S. Route 66]]<br /> <br /> <br /> {{US-road-stub}}</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:56:46 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Ozark_Trail_(road_system) Woods and Waters Winery and Vineyard http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Woods_and_Waters_Winery_and_Vineyard <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>'''Woods and Waters Winery and Vineyard''' is the first commercial winery in [[Caddo County, Oklahoma]]. It is located on the [[Ozark Trail (road system)|old Ozark Trail]] southeast of [[Anadarko, Oklahoma|Anadarko]] and west of the community of [[Pine Ridge, Oklahoma|Pine Ridge]].<br /> <br /> The winery was established in 1998 as art of a 600 acre ranch. Currently there are 10 acres planted in 8 different varieties of vinifera grapes.<br /> <br /> The winery is currently producing the following varieties of wine: Cabernet Sauvignon (french Oak barrel aged), Shiraz (2003 award winning), Zinfandel, Merlot, Rose of Caddo (a blended red sweet wine), Chardonnay (aged in French Oak), Riesling Johannesburg White, Gewürztraminer (2003 Award Winning - named Oklahoma’s Best wine from Oklahoma Grapes), Muscat Blanc , White Zinfandel, and White Merlot (2003 Award Winning).<br /> <br /> The winery also is the only Oklahoma producer of Eiswein (Ice wine, made from Riesling grapes) <br /> <br /> External links:<br /> <br /> * [http://www.woodsandwaterswinery.com Woods and Waters Winery and Vineyard]<br /> <br /> [[Category:Wineries of the United States]]<br /> [[Category:Oklahoma Wine]]</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:56:22 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Woods_and_Waters_Winery_and_Vineyard Pine Ridge, Oklahoma http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Pine_Ridge,_Oklahoma <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>'''Pine Ridge''' is a unincorporated community that is 6 miles south and 1/2 mile west of [[Fort Cobb, Oklahoma]] in [[Caddo County, Oklahoma|Caddo County]]. During the community's heyday in the 1940's there were a Grocery Store, a Baptist Church and a Church of Christ, but today only the Baptist Church building remains (which is now used as a barn). The [[Pleasant View Cemetery]] also is at Pine Ridge and has graves from many of the early pioneers of the community.<br /> <br /> Pine Ridge is located at the junction of the blacktop road going directly south from Fort Cobb and the old [[Ozark Trail (auto trail)|Ozark Trail]] (an early predecessor to [[Route 66]]).<br /> <br /> The Pine Ridge Community mostly consists of wheat and hay farming and cattle ranching. There is also a winery east of Pine Ridge on the Ozark Trail ([[Woods and Waters Winery and Vineyard]]).<br /> <br /> Public school students in Pine Ridge attend [[Fort Cobb-Broxton public schools]].</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:55:57 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Pine_Ridge,_Oklahoma Caddo County http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Caddo_County <p>Admin: /* Cities and towns */</p> <hr /> <div>'''Caddo County''' is a [[county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oklahoma]]. As of 2000, the population was 30,150. Its [[county seat]] is [[Anadarko, Oklahoma|Anadarko]][[Geographic references|<sup>6</sup>]].<br /> <div style="float:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em;">[[Image:Map of Oklahoma highlighting Caddo County.png]]</div><br /> <br /> ==Geography==<br /> According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of 3,342 [[km²]] (1,290 [[square mile|mi²]]). 3,311 km² (1,278 mi²) of it is land and 31 km² (12 mi²) of it (0.93%) is water.<br /> ===Major Highways===<br /> <br /> {|<br /> |<br /> *[[Image:I-40.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 40]]<br /> *[[Image:US 62.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 62]]<br /> *[[Image:US 281.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Highway 281]]<br /> *[[Image:US 277.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Highway 277]]<br /> |<br /> *[[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 8.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 8 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 8]]<br /> *[[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 9.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 9 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 9]]<br /> *[[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 19.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 19 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 19]]<br /> *[[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 58.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 58 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 58]]<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ===Adjacent counties ===<br /> *[[Blaine County, Oklahoma|Blaine County]] (north)<br /> *[[Canadian County, Oklahoma|Canadian County]] (northeast)<br /> *[[Grady County, Oklahoma|Grady County]] (east)<br /> *[[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche County]] (south)<br /> *[[Kiowa County, Oklahoma|Kiowa County]] (southwest)<br /> *[[Washita County, Oklahoma|Washita County]] (west)<br /> *[[Custer County, Oklahoma|Custer County]] (northwest)<br /> <br /> ==Demographics==<br /> As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of 2000, there were 30,150 people, 10,957 households, and 7,965 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 9/km² (24/mi²). There were 13,096 housing units at an average density of 4/km² (10/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 65.55% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 2.92% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 24.28% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.17% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.70% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.36% from two or more races. 6.28% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.<br /> <br /> There were 10,957 households out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.13.<br /> <br /> In the county, the population was spread out with 28.50% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.<br /> <br /> The median income for a household in the county was $27,347, and the median income for a family was $32,118. Males had a median income of $26,373 versus $18,658 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $13,298. About 16.70% of families and 21.70% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 28.00% of those under age 18 and 15.90% of those age 65 or over.<br /> <br /> == Agriculture ==<br /> Caddo County is home to significant wheat and peanut farm operations and cattle ranching.<br /> <br /> There is also one winery and vineyard in the county ([[Woods and Waters Winery and Vineyard]]).<br /> <br /> == Cities and towns ==<br /> <br /> {|<br /> |----- valign="top"<br /> |<br /> *[[Anadarko, Oklahoma|Anadarko]]<br /> *[[Apache, Oklahoma|Apache]]<br /> *[[Binger, Oklahoma|Binger]]<br /> *[[Bridgeport, Oklahoma|Bridgeport]]<br /> |<br /> *[[Carnegie, Oklahoma|Carnegie]]<br /> *[[Cement, Oklahoma|Cement]]<br /> *[[Cogar, Oklahoma|Cogar]]<br /> *[[Cyril, Oklahoma|Cyril]]<br /> |<br /> *[[Eakly, Oklahoma|Eakly]]<br /> *[[Fort Cobb, Oklahoma|Fort Cobb]]<br /> *[[Gracemont, Oklahoma|Gracemont]]<br /> *[[Hinton, Oklahoma|Hinton]]<br /> |<br /> *[[Hydro, Oklahoma|Hydro]]<br /> *[[Lookeba, Oklahoma|Lookeba]]<br /> *[[Pine Ridge, Oklahoma|Pine Ridge]]<br /> *[[Spring Creek, Oklahoma|Spring Creek]]<br /> |}<br /> <br /> == NRHP sites ==<br /> The following sites in Caddo County are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]:<br /> <br /> *[[Amphlett Brothers Drug and Jewelry Store]], Apache<br /> *[[Anadarko Armory]], Anadarko<br /> *[[Anadarko Downtown Historic District]], Anadarko<br /> *[[Apache State Bank]], Apache<br /> *[[Caddo County Medicine Creek Archeological District]] Binger<br /> *[[Fort Cobb Site]], Fort Cobb<br /> *[[Provine Service Station]], Hydro<br /> *[[Randlett Park]], Anadarko<br /> *[[Rock Mary]], Hinton<br /> *[[Stevens Rock Shelter]], Gracemont<br /> <br /> ----<br /> {{Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Caddo County, Oklahoma| ]]<br /> [[Category:Oklahoma counties]]<br /> <br /> [[de:Caddo County]]<br /> [[no:Caddo County]]</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:45:41 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Caddo_County Caddo County http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Caddo_County <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>'''Caddo County''' is a [[county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oklahoma]]. As of 2000, the population was 30,150. Its [[county seat]] is [[Anadarko, Oklahoma|Anadarko]][[Geographic references|<sup>6</sup>]].<br /> <div style="float:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em;">[[Image:Map of Oklahoma highlighting Caddo County.png]]</div><br /> <br /> ==Geography==<br /> According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of 3,342 [[km²]] (1,290 [[square mile|mi²]]). 3,311 km² (1,278 mi²) of it is land and 31 km² (12 mi²) of it (0.93%) is water.<br /> ===Major Highways===<br /> <br /> {|<br /> |<br /> *[[Image:I-40.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 40]]<br /> *[[Image:US 62.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 62]]<br /> *[[Image:US 281.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Highway 281]]<br /> *[[Image:US 277.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Highway 277]]<br /> |<br /> *[[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 8.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 8 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 8]]<br /> *[[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 9.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 9 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 9]]<br /> *[[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 19.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 19 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 19]]<br /> *[[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 58.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 58 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 58]]<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ===Adjacent counties ===<br /> *[[Blaine County, Oklahoma|Blaine County]] (north)<br /> *[[Canadian County, Oklahoma|Canadian County]] (northeast)<br /> *[[Grady County, Oklahoma|Grady County]] (east)<br /> *[[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche County]] (south)<br /> *[[Kiowa County, Oklahoma|Kiowa County]] (southwest)<br /> *[[Washita County, Oklahoma|Washita County]] (west)<br /> *[[Custer County, Oklahoma|Custer County]] (northwest)<br /> <br /> ==Demographics==<br /> As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of 2000, there were 30,150 people, 10,957 households, and 7,965 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 9/km² (24/mi²). There were 13,096 housing units at an average density of 4/km² (10/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 65.55% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 2.92% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 24.28% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.17% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.70% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.36% from two or more races. 6.28% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.<br /> <br /> There were 10,957 households out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.13.<br /> <br /> In the county, the population was spread out with 28.50% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.<br /> <br /> The median income for a household in the county was $27,347, and the median income for a family was $32,118. Males had a median income of $26,373 versus $18,658 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $13,298. About 16.70% of families and 21.70% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 28.00% of those under age 18 and 15.90% of those age 65 or over.<br /> <br /> == Agriculture ==<br /> Caddo County is home to significant wheat and peanut farm operations and cattle ranching.<br /> <br /> There is also one winery and vineyard in the county ([[Woods and Waters Winery and Vineyard]]).<br /> <br /> == Cities and towns ==<br /> <br /> {|<br /> |----- valign="top"<br /> |<br /> *[[Anadarko, Oklahoma|Anadarko]]<br /> *[[Apache, Oklahoma|Apache]]<br /> *[[Binger, Oklahoma|Binger]]<br /> *[[Bridgeport, Oklahoma|Bridgeport]]<br /> |<br /> *[[Carnegie, Oklahoma|Carnegie]]<br /> *[[Cement, Oklahoma|Cement]]<br /> *[[Cogar, Oklahoma|Cogar]]<br /> *[[Cyril, Oklahoma|Cyril]]<br /> |<br /> *[[Eakly, Oklahoma|Eakly]]<br /> *[[Fort Cobb, Oklahoma|Fort Cobb]]<br /> *[[Gracemont, Oklahoma|Gracemont]]<br /> *[[Hinton, Oklahoma|Hinton]]<br /> |<br /> *[[Hydro, Oklahoma|Hydro]]<br /> *[[Lookeba, Oklahoma|Lookeba]]<br /> *[[Spring Creek, Oklahoma|Spring Creek]]<br /> |}<br /> <br /> == NRHP sites ==<br /> The following sites in Caddo County are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]:<br /> <br /> *[[Amphlett Brothers Drug and Jewelry Store]], Apache<br /> *[[Anadarko Armory]], Anadarko<br /> *[[Anadarko Downtown Historic District]], Anadarko<br /> *[[Apache State Bank]], Apache<br /> *[[Caddo County Medicine Creek Archeological District]] Binger<br /> *[[Fort Cobb Site]], Fort Cobb<br /> *[[Provine Service Station]], Hydro<br /> *[[Randlett Park]], Anadarko<br /> *[[Rock Mary]], Hinton<br /> *[[Stevens Rock Shelter]], Gracemont<br /> <br /> ----<br /> {{Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Caddo County, Oklahoma| ]]<br /> [[Category:Oklahoma counties]]<br /> <br /> [[de:Caddo County]]<br /> [[no:Caddo County]]</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:42:23 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Caddo_County Main Page http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Main_Page <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>'''[[About the OKLAHOMA WIKI]]'''<br /> <br /> '''[http://editthis.info/oklahoma/Special:Recentchanges Recent Changes on Oklahoma Wiki]<br /> <br /> [[Caddo County]]<br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> <br /> '''Oklahoma''' is a [[U.S. state|state]] located in the southern Great Plains and Eastern Woodlands regions of the United States. It is sometimes called "Native America" and the "Sooner State", and is part of a region commonly known as the American "[[Heartland]]." [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] is the state's capital and largest city. The Congressional Quarterly and Census report place Oklahoma in the Southern United States. However, since Oklahoma is near the geographic center of the U.S., the regional influences add to Oklahoma's unique character. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma became the 46th state in the Union on November 16th, 1907. The state's name comes from the [[Choctaw]] words ''okla'' meaning people and ''homma'' meaning red, literally meaning "red people"<br /> ([http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/stinfo2.html see Oklahoma State History and Information]) and was chosen by [[Allen Wright]], Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation between 1866 and 1870. <ref name="">{{cite web | last=Merserve | first=John | year=1941 | month=December | url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/chronicles/v019/v019p314.html | title=Chief Allen Wright | work=Chronicles of Oklahoma | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-07}}</ref> It is a state with a colorful history, including its days as a frontier state, it being a destination of recently freed slaves looking for opportunity and equality, and being at the heart of the oil boom in the early 20th century. <br /> <br /> Most notably, Oklahoma has the nation's second largest [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] population. In honor of its large American Indian population, and for tourism purposes, Oklahoma is called "Native America." Oklahoma's early history is intertwined with the [[Trail of Tears]], which was the forced removal of the [[Five Civilized Tribes]] from the southeastern United States to present-day Oklahoma. As a testament to the state's western and American Indian heritage, Oklahoma ([[Tulsa]]) is the home of the world-renowned [[Gilcrease Museum]], which houses the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of [[American West]]ern art and artifacts, as well as an unparalled collection of American Indian, Central and South American art, artifacts, documents, and maps. <br /> <br /> == Geography ==<br /> {{portal}}<br /> {{see also|list of Oklahoma counties|list of Oklahoma townships|lakes in Oklahoma}}<br /> [[image:AR_Ouachita_Mountains.jpg|right|frame|The [[Ouachita Mountains]] dominate the<br /> [[Kiamichi country|southeastern quarter]] of Oklahoma]]<br /> Oklahoma is one of the six states on the [[Frontier Strip]]. It is bounded on the east by [[Arkansas]] and [[Missouri]], on the north by [[Kansas]] and northwest by [[Colorado]] (both at 37°N), on the far west by [[New Mexico]] (at 103°W), and on the south and near-west by [[Texas]]. The [[panhandle|panhandle's]] southern boundary is at 36.5°N, then turning due south along 100°W to the southern fork of the [[Red River (Mississippi watershed)|Red River]]), completing the round trip back to Arkansas. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma's four main mountain ranges include the [[Ouachita Mountains|Ouachitas]], [[Arbuckle Mountains|Arbuckles]], [[Wichita Mountains|Wichitas]], and the Kiamichis. In addition to several smaller ranges, Oklahoma also notably encompasses a portion of the [[Ozarks]].<br /> <br /> The state's highest peak, 4,973 feet (1,515&nbsp;m) [[Black Mesa]], resides in the far northwestern corner of the panhandle near the town of Kenton. The lowest elevation in the state is in the far southeastern corner, near Idabel, at 324 feet (99 m). Oklahoma also has what is officially considered the highest hill in the world, Cavanal Hill, at 1,999 feet (609 m); this is considering the fact that a "mountain" is anything 2,000 feet or higher. It is located in Poteau, Oklahoma.<ref name="TravelOK">{{ cite web | url=http://www.travelok.com/about/index.asp | title=About Oklahoma | publisher=TravelOK.com | language=English | accessdate=2006-07-10 }}</ref><br /> <br /> With 200 man-made lakes, Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state and boasts over one million surface-acres of water and 2,000 more miles (3,200 km) of shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined. Lake Eufaula is the largest lake in the state, covering 102,000 surface acres (413 km²) of water. <ref name="TravelOK">{{ cite web | url=http://http://www.travelok.com/about/index.asp | title=About Oklahoma | publisher=TravelOK.com | language=English | accessdate=2006-07-10 }}</ref><br /> <br /> [[Image:National-atlas-oklahoma.PNG|thumb|300px|right|Map of Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Image:Oklahoma_population_map.png|thumb|300px|right|Oklahoma Population Density Map]]<br /> <br /> === Regions ===<br /> From an ecoregional perspective, Oklahoma is recognized by the [[Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] as having 11 different [[ecoregion]]s (one of only four U.S. states to have more than 10 ecoregions). These ecoregions are: Western high plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Central [[Great Plains]], Tall Grass Prairie, [[Cross Timbers]], Caves & Prairie, [[Ozark]] Highlands, Ozark Forest, Hardwood Forest, [[Ouachita Mountains]], and Cypress Swamps & Forests.<br /> <br /> The Oklahoma Tourism Department divides the state down into six "countries" for tourism promotion purposes: [[Red Carpet Country]] (Northwestern Oklahoma and The Panhandle), Great Plains Country (Southwestern Oklahoma), Frontier Country (Central Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area), [[Green Country]] (Northeastern Oklahoma, including the Tulsa Metropolitan area), [[Kiamichi country]] (Southeastern Oklahoma), and [[Lake & Trail Country]] (South Central Oklahoma).<br /> <br /> Popular but "unofficial" regional designations include [[Green Country]] (most often used to refer to Northeastern Oklahoma, but used by some to refer to either all of Eastern Oklahoma or just the Tulsa Metropolitan Area), Little Dixie (Southeastern Oklahoma), Western Oklahoma, and the [[Oklahoma Panhandle]].<br /> <br /> ===Climate===<br /> Oklahoma is a state dominated by contrasting cold and warm [[air mass]]es which collide east of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. As can be expected, this results in a wide range of weather throughout the state, ranging from a borderline [[humid subtropical climate]] zone near the southeast part of the state to a [[semi-arid]] climate in the [[High Plains]] of the panhandle. While there is some variation in temperature in the state, with the south portion on the Texas border averaging an annual mean temperature of 62 °F, and the panhandle averaging under 54 °F, the main climatic difference in Oklahoma is precipitation. The southeast corner of the state near the Ouachita Mountains averages over 52 inches of precipitation a year. Moving west from that point, the precipitation decreases rapidly- for each 10 miles traveled west, the precipation is approximately 1 inch less. The driest part of the state is the extreme western panhandle with less than 16 inches annually. <br /> <br /> The most notable feature of Oklahoma's climate is its thunderstorms. While Oklahoma averages from 40-60 days of thunderstorms throughout the entire state, which is less frequent than thunderstorm activity in parts of the [[Southeast United States]] and the central Colorado Rockies, Oklahoma thunderstorms, which occur in what locals call a "fifth season" from April through July tend to be among the most severe in the world. During this "fifth season" colliding cold and warm air masses turn the entire state, especially the central part, into the heart of [[Tornado Alley]]. Central Oklahoma is the most tornado-prone area in the world, not only in terms of number of tornadoes(which exceeds 10 per 10,000 square miles), but also in terms of intensity.<ref name= "Annual average number of tornadoes"> [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/tornado/small/avgt5304.gif] NOAA National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved on October 24, 2006. </ref><br /> Some of the most severe tornadoes in history have occurred in Oklahoma, and it is no accident that the National Severe Weather Forecast Center is located in Norman. While central Oklahoma is the epicenter of Tornado Alley, other parts of the state are not immune.<br /> <br /> Snowfall is common in Oklahoma every winter, although it is not extreme, ranging from an average of less than 4 inches in the southern part of the state to just over 20 inches on the Colorado border in the panhandle.<br /> <br /> == History ==<br /> [[History of Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> == Law and government ==<br /> {{OKGovernment}}<br /> === State government ===<br /> {{Main|Government of Oklahoma}}<br /> The [[capital]] of the state is [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] and the [[Governor of Oklahoma]] is [[Brad Henry]] (Democrat). Other Executive Branch elected officials include [[Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma]] [[Mary Fallin]] (Republican), [[Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector|State Auditor]] [[Jeff McMahan]] (Democrat), [[Attorney General of Oklahoma|Attorney General]] [[Drew Edmondson]] (Democrat), [[State Treasurer of Oklahoma|State Treasurer]] [[Scott Meacham]] (Democrat), [[Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction|State School Superintendent]] [[Sandy Garrett]] (Democrat), Labor Commissioner [[Brenda Reneau]] (Republican), Insurance Commissioner [[Kim Holland]] (Democrat), and the three member State Corporation Commission which currently consists of [[Bob Anthony]] (Republican), [[Jeff Cloud]] (Republican), and [[Denise Bode]] (Republican). The Secretary of State, [[Secretary of State of Oklahoma]] [[M. Susan Savage]] (Democrat), is appointed by the Governor.<br /> <br /> As a result of the 2006 elections, the Lieutenant Governor will be Jari Askins (Democrat) and the new Labor Commissioner will be Loyd Fields. They take office on January 8, 2007.<br /> <br /> [[Image:Oklahoma State Capitol.jpg|thumb|350px|left|The state capitol building of Oklahoma, located in eastern [[Oklahoma City]].]]<br /> <br /> The [[Oklahoma Legislature|Legislature of Oklahoma]] consists of the [[Oklahoma Senate|Senate]] and the [[Oklahoma House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. The Senate has 48 members serving four-year terms, while the House has 101 members with two year terms. The state has term limits for their legislature that restrict any one person to a total of twelve years service in both the House and Senate. In the 2007&ndash;2008 state legislature, the Republicans control the House of Representatives (57 to 44) and the Senate is currently evenly divided (24 to 24). This changes the government's make-up; before the 2004 election the Democrats had controlled both chambers since 1921. Republicans have never controlled the State Senate outright.<br /> <br /> The state's judicial branch consists of the [[Oklahoma Supreme Court]], the Court of Criminal Appeals, and 77 District Courts which serve one county apiece. The Oklahoma judiciary also contains two independent courts: a Court of [[Impeachment]] (which is the Senate sitting) and the [[Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary]]. Oklahoma is unusual in that it has two courts of last resort, the state Supreme Court hears civil cases, and the state Court of Criminal Appeals hears criminal cases (the state of [[Texas]] uses a similar system). Judges of those two courts, as well as the Court of Civil Appeals are appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the state Judicial Nominating Commission, and are subject to a [[non-partisan]] retention vote on a six-year rotating schedule.<br /> <br /> Due to Oklahoma's restrictive ballot access laws (deemed by many to be the most restrictive in the nation), third parties have very limited access to the primary ballots, however the state does have the following active third parties: [[Oklahoma Libertarian Party]], [[Green Party of Oklahoma]], [[Oklahoma Constitution Party]]. There are also organizers from the [[Communist Party USA]] working in the state. Oklahoma's Major political parties are the [[Oklahoma Democratic Party]] and the [[Oklahoma Republican Party]].<br /> <br /> {{seealso|Governor of Oklahoma}}<br /> {{seealso|Oklahoma Legislature}}<br /> {{seealso|Oklahoma Supreme Court}}<br /> <br /> === Local governance ===<br /> The state is divided into 77 counties which deliver local government. Each is governed by a three member commission. Other county elected officials are the tax assessor, clerk, court clerk, treasurer, and sheriff.<br /> <br /> Cities and towns are established under the rights granted in the Oklahoma statutes (in comparison, Oklahoma gives municipal governments a great deal of latitude in chartering new governments). Towns are municipalities of under 1000 residents, while cities have more than 1000 residents. Major cities are also allowed to form "charter governments," in which the voters choose the form of government they want to use in place of the statutory forms.<br /> <br /> Other local government units in Oklahoma include independent and dependent school districts, Technology Center Districts (once known as VOTECH), community college districts, rural fire departments, rural water districts, and other special use districts.<br /> <br /> === National politics ===<br /> After the [[United States Census Bureau|2000 census]] the Oklahoma delegation to the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] was reduced from six to five representatives. For the [[109th United States Congress|109th Congress]] (2005&ndash;2006) there are no changes in party strength, and the delegation has four [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and one [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]. Oklahoma's two U.S. senators are [[James M. Inhofe]] (Republican) and [[Tom Coburn]] (Republican). The U.S. Representatives are [[John Sullivan (U.S. Rep)|John Sullivan]] (Republican) of District 1, [[Dan Boren]] (Democrat) of District 2, [[Frank D. Lucas]] (Republican) of District 3, [[Tom Cole]] (Republican) of District 4, and [[Ernest Istook]] (Republican) of District 5.<br /> <br /> Although there are more registered Democrats in Oklahoma than registered Republicans, it has become a solid Republican state in presidential elections, voting for the Republican in every election from 1968 forward (however the 1976 Carter-Ford race was close). In 2004, [[George W. Bush]] carried every county in the state and 65.6% of the vote.<br /> <br /> == Economy ==<br /> Oklahoma is a major fuel and food-producing state; thousands of oil and natural gas wells dot the Oklahoma landscape, and the state is among the highest food producing states in the nation.<br /> Its main agricultural outputs are soy, wheat, cattle, dairy, poultry, and cotton. Oklahoma ranks fourth in the nation in the production of all wheat, fourth in cattle and calf production; fifth in the production of pecans; sixth in peanuts and eight in peaches.<br /> Its industrial outputs are transportation equipment, machinery, electric products, rubber and plastic products, and food processing.<br /> Its 1999 total gross state product was $86 billion, placing it 29th in the nation.<br /> Its 2000 per capita personal income was $23,517, 43rd in the nation.<br /> Oklahoma City suburb [[Nichols Hills, Oklahoma|Nichols Hills]] is ranked first on [[Oklahoma locations by per capita income]] at $73,661.<br /> <br /> [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]] is a primary economic engine of the state, centered on the finance, retail, governance, entertainment, and tourism sectors. The city has numerous manufacturing and processing plants as well as a growing biotech research and health center. Oklahoma City has a large aviation market and its location at the intersection of [[I-35]], [[I-40]], and [[I-44]] makes Oklahoma City an important distribution point. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma City is home to many corporate and regional headquarters including [[Devon Energy]], [[Chesapeake Energy]], [[Sonic Drive-In]], [[AT&T]], [[The Hertz Corporation]], BancFirst, [[OGE Energy]], Midfirst Bank, [[Hobby Lobby]], [[Dobson Communications]], Express Personnel Services, Oklahoma Publishing Company, Spectro Wire & Cable, Inc., Rainbo Manufacturing, Globe Life and Accident Insurance, [[Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.]], and [[Big Daddy's BBQ Sauce]].<br /> <br /> [[Image:Downtown Tulsa.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Tulsa is a major economic center for the state.]]<br /> <br /> [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] is another primary economic engine of the state, centered on energy, aerospace, telecommunications, and transportation. The city has the nation's most inland sea port and Oklahoma's only connection to the ocean, the [[Tulsa Port of Catoosa]] [http://www.tulsaport.com/], which connects the state with international ocean trade routes through the [[Arkansas River]] and [[Mississippi River]]. Despite an oil bust that plagued the entire state in the 1980's, Tulsa is still among the top cities in the nation for the number of oil and energy related company headquarters. Tulsa is also home to an extensive aviation market, exemplified by its [[American Airlines]] maintenance center, the largest airline maintenance base in the world. <br /> <br /> Recently, Forbes magazine rated Tulsa as second in the nation in job income growth, and one of the best 50 cities to do business in the country. <ref name="forbestop50">{{cite web | date=2006 | url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/1/2813.html | title= Tulsa, OK: Best Places to do Business 2006 | format=web | work=Forbes Magazine| pages=1 | publisher= Forbes Magazine| language=English | accessdate=2006-07-23}}</ref><br /> <br /> Companies based in Tulsa include The NORDAM Group, BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF), [[Bank of Oklahoma]], [[Williams Companies]], Oneok, Wiltel, [[QuikTrip]], Public Service of Oklahoma, [[Mazzio's]] Corporation, [[RibCrib]], [[SemGroup]], [[Thrifty Car Rental|Dollar-Thrifty]], [[Hilti]] USA, and [[Vanguard]]. <br /> <br /> Both of Oklahoma's major metropolitan areas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, are engaged in large-scale economic development and tourism initiatives.<br /> <br /> == Transportation ==<br /> Primary interstate highways in Oklahoma include [[I-35]], which traverses the state from north to south, [[I-40]], which traverses the state from east to west, and [[I-44]], which enters Oklahoma in the southwest and leaves the state in the northeast corner. These highways all run through Oklahoma City.<br /> <br /> The state's other interstate highways are Interstates 235, 240, 244 and (unsigned) 444. [[Interstate 235 (Oklahoma)|I-235]] (Centennial Expressway) is a north-south freeway connecting I-35 and I-44 through the center of Oklahoma City. [[Interstate 240 (Oklahoma)|I-240]] (South Bypass) is an east-west freeway serving as a southern bypass of Oklahoma City. [[I-244]] (Crosstown Expressway/MLK Expressway) is a loop that connects downtown Tulsa to I-44, and [[I-444]], which is unsigned, forms the south and east sides of the "Inner Dispersal Loop" in downtown Tulsa.<br /> <br /> Oklahoma is served by two major airports:<br /> <br /> *[[Will Rogers World Airport]], Oklahoma City<br /> *[[Tulsa International Airport]]<br /> <br /> There are also numerous other regional and general aviation airports:<br /> <br /> See: [[List of airports in Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> Amtrak also operates a daily train between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, the [[Heartland Flyer]]. <br /> *[http://www.heartlandflyer.com/index.htm Heartland Flyer] Official Website<br /> <br /> == Education ==<br /> {{main|List of Oklahoma school districts by county|List of school districts in Oklahoma|List of private schools in Oklahoma|List of CareerTech centers in Oklahoma|List of colleges and universities in Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> == Culture ==<br /> [[Image:OklahomaPrairie.jpg|thumb|250px|Oklahoma Prairie]]<br /> <br /> The various government sponsored arts, community, and tourism programs emphasize Oklahoma's Native American heritage heavily. There are many central areas of Native American heritage in Oklahoma, including one of the most notable, Tahlequah, which is near Muskogee in Eastern Oklahoma. Native American culture runs deep in the lives of Oklahomans and one may experience it through various cultural programs including pow wows, the Tsa-La-Gi village in Tahlequah, OK and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.<br /> <br /> Other ethnic celebrations include those of [[Yukon, Oklahoma|Yukon]] & Prague (celebrating the Czech heritage of some early immigrants), [[Tulsa]]'s Greek Holiday, the Tulsa Scottish Games, Shalomfest (in Tulsa), Tulsa's German Oktoberfest, the Mennonite Relief Sale (in Enid, OK), Italian festivals and neighborhoods in the McAlester and Krebs area, traditional [[Asian]], [[African American]], and [[Hispanic]] celebrations in [[Oklahoma City]] as well as the [[pride parade]] and festival in the city's [[39th GLBT|GLBT]] district, and the [[Juneteenth]] Celebrations found all across the state.<br /> <br /> ==Sports==<br /> Because of the [[Hurricane Katrina|devastation]] of [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] in 2005, the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]'s New Orleans Hornets relocated to Oklahoma City and are currently known as the [[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets]]. The Hornets are the first [[major professional sports league]] franchise to play in the state. The owner of the Hornets announced in December of 2006, that the team would be returning to New Orleans for the 2007-2008 season.<br /> <br /> The recent purchase of the Seattle Supersonics NBA Basketball team, by a group of Oklahoma businessmen, has led to speculation that the team will be relocated to Oklahoma City in the near future.<br /> <br /> The [[minor league baseball]] teams are:<br /> *[[Oklahoma RedHawks]] ([[Minor league baseball|AAA]] in Oklahoma City)<br /> *[[Tulsa Drillers]] ([[Minor league baseball|AA]] in Tulsa)<br /> <br /> Other [[Oklahoma City]] teams include<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Blazers]] ([[Ice Hockey]]: [[Central Hockey League|CHL]])<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz]] ([[Arena Football League]]: [[AF2]])<br /> *[[Oklahoma City Lightning]] ([[Women's Football]]: [[National Women's Football Association|NWFA]])<br /> *[[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets]] ([[National Basketball Association]])<br /> <br /> Other [[Enid]] teams include<br /> *[[Oklahoma Storm]] ([[Basketball]]: [[United States Basketball League]])<br /> <br /> Other [[Tulsa]] teams include<br /> *[[Tulsa Oilers (hockey team)|Tulsa Oilers]] ([[Ice Hockey]]: [[Central Hockey League|CHL]])<br /> *[[Tulsa Talons]] ([[Arena Football]]: [[AF2]])<br /> *[[Tulsa 66ers]] ([[Basketball]]: [[NBA Development League]])<br /> <br /> Oklahoma's major college teams are<br /> *the [[Oklahoma Sooners]] ([[University of Oklahoma]])<br /> *the [[Oklahoma State Cowboys]] ([[Oklahoma State University]])<br /> *the [[Tulsa Golden Hurricane]] ([[University of Tulsa]])<br /> <br /> == Important cities and metropolitan areas==<br /> ===Oklahoma City ===<br /> {{Main|Oklahoma City, Oklahoma}}<br /> [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]], with a population of 523,303 in the immediate city limits<ref name="Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau">{{ cite web | date=2006-01-12 | url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/4055000.html | title=Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau | work=State & County QuickFacts | publisher=U.S. Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-09-16 }}</ref> and 1.3 million in the metro area,<ref>[http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Profiles/Single/2003/ACS/Narrative/380/NP38000US5880.htm Population and Housing Profile: Oklahoma City, OK MSA (2003)] Retrieved September 16, 2006</ref> is the principal city of the eight-county [[Oklahoma City Metroplex]] and is Oklahoma's largest urbanized area. As of 2000, it was the 47th largest metro in the nation.<ref name="US Census - Metro ranks 2000">{{cite web | date=2003-12-30 | url=http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab03a.pdf | title=Population in Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Ranked by 2000 Population for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000 | format=PDF | work=United States Census 2000 | pages=3 | publisher=United State Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-08}}</ref> Some of the major cities comprising the Oklahoma City Metro include [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]], [[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]], [[Guthrie, Oklahoma|Guthrie]], [[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]], [[Mustang, Oklahoma|Mustang]], [[Yukon, Oklahoma|Yukon]], [[Shawnee, Oklahoma|Shawnee]], [[Del City, Oklahoma|Del City]], [[Midwest City, Oklahoma|Midewest City]].<br /> <br /> Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma, as well as its main civic, business, and arts and entertainment hub. Oklahoma City is steadily recovering from the oil bust that destroyed the city's identity{{fact}}.<br /> <br /> ===Tulsa===<br /> {{main|Tulsa, Oklahoma}}<br /> [[Tulsa]] is the second largest city in Oklahoma, with 387,807 within the city limits<ref name="Oklahoma City (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau">{{ cite web | date=2006-09-16 | url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/4075000.html | title=Tulsa (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau | work=State & County QuickFacts | publisher=U.S. Census Bureau | language=English | accessdate=2006-06-07 }}</ref> and 890,000 in the statistical metropolitan area.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Profiles/Single/2003/ACS/Narrative/380/NP38000US8560.htm Population and Housing Profile: Tulsa, OK MSA (2003)] Retrieved September 16, 2006</ref>. The city is an important Southern and Midwest regional economic hub, and is the architectural center of the state. It is Oklahoma's second largest urbanized area. As of 2000, it was the 53rd largest metropolitan area in the nation.<ref name="US Census - Metro ranks 2000"/><br /> <br /> ===Other important cities===<br /> *[[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]] (3rd Largest City)<br /> *[[Lawton, Oklahoma|Lawton]] (4th Largest City)<br /> *[[Broken Arrow, Oklahoma|Broken Arrow]] (5th Largest City)<br /> *[[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]] (6th Largest City)<br /> *[[Midwest City, Oklahoma|Midwest City]] (7th Largest City)<br /> *[[Enid, Oklahoma|Enid]] (8th Largest City)<br /> *[[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]] (9th Largest City)<br /> *[[Stillwater, Oklahoma|Stillwater]] (10th Largest City)<br /> *[[Bartlesville, Oklahoma|Bartlesville]]<br /> *[[Claremore, Oklahoma|Claremore]]<br /> *[[Owasso, Oklahoma|Owasso]]<br /> *[[Sand Springs, Oklahoma|Sand Springs]]<br /> *[[Jenks, Oklahoma|Jenks]] <br /> *[[Ponca City, Oklahoma|Ponca City]]<br /> *[[Muskogee, Oklahoma|Muskogee]]<br /> <br /> {{seealso|List of cities in Oklahoma|List of towns in Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> == Demographics ==<br /> {{Histpop<br /> | [[United States Census, 1890|1890]] | 258,657 | -<br /> | [[United States Census, 1900|1900]] | 790,391 | 206%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1910|1910]] | 1,657,155 | 110%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1920|1920]] | 2,028,283 | 22%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1930|1930]] | 2,396,040 | 18%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1940|1940]] | 2,336,434 | -2%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1950|1950]] | 2,233,351 | -4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1960|1960]] | 2,328,284 | 4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1970|1970]] | 2,559,229 | 10%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1980|1980]] | 3,025,290 | 18%<br /> | [[United States Census, 1990|1990]] | 3,145,585 | 4%<br /> | [[United States Census, 2000|2000]] | 3,450,654 | 10%<br /> }}<br /> <br /> According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2005, Oklahoma has an estimated population of 3,547,884, which is an increase of 24,338, or 0.7%, from the prior year and an increase of 97,232, or 2.8%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 80,753 people (that is 264,324 births minus 183,571 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 21,128 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 36,546 people, and migration within the country produced a net decrease of 15,418 people.<br /> <br /> The [[center of population]] of Oklahoma is located in [[Lincoln County, Oklahoma|Lincoln County]], in the town of [[Sparks, Oklahoma|Sparks]] [http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt].<br /> {{US Demographics}}<br /> The five largest ancestry groups in Oklahoma are [[German American|German]] (14.5%), American (13.1%), [[Irish American|Irish]] (11.8%), [[British American|English]] (9.6%), [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] (7.9%, with Cherokees as the largest tribe).<br /> <br /> German-Americans are present in the northwestern part of the state. American Indians predominate in eastern Oklahoma. Oklahomans of British ancestry dominate Tulsa and some other areas. Americans of African descent are a plurality in Lawton and Oklahoma City, while Pittsburg county has many Irish-Americans. Oklahoma City has the largest [[Asian]] and [[Asian American]] populations. A few western counties have significant [[Mexican American]] populations.<br /> <br /> 6.8% of Oklahoma's population was reported as under 5, 25.9% under 18, and 13.2% was 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.9% of the population.<br /> <br /> Descendants of these people still live in Oklahoma today.<br /> Counties with the names of these tribes also exist. Oklahoma has the second highest number of Native Americans/Amerindians in the country estimated at 395,219 as of 2003. Only California has a higher Amerindian population at 682,720 [http://eire.census.gov/popest/data/states/ST-EST2002-ASRO-04.php]. Oklahoma also has the second highest concentration of Native Americans/Amerindians in the nation with 11.4% of the state's population, topped only by Alaska at 19% of that state's population. [http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/c2kbr01-15.pdf]. 39 of the Amerindian tribes currently living in Oklahoma are headquartered in the state.<br /> <br /> === Religion ===<br /> The people of Oklahoma participate in 73 major religious affiliations ranging from the Southern Baptist Convention with 1578 churches and 967,223 members to the Holy Orthodox Church in North America, 1 church, 6 members. <br /> <br /> The 10 most popular religious affiliations (including "none") account for more than 90% of all Oklahomans:<ref>[http://thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/40_2000.asp Association of Religion Data Archives]</ref><br /> * No religious affiliation - 39.24%<br /> * [[Southern Baptist]] – 28.03%<br /> * [[United Methodist Church]] – 9.35%<br /> * [[Roman Catholic|Catholic Church]] – 4.89%<br /> * [[Assemblies of God]] – 2.56%<br /> * [[Church of Christ]] – 2.41%<br /> * [[Disciples of Christ]] - 1.56%<br /> * [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian Churches]] - 1.24%<br /> * [[Church of the Nazarene]] - 1.06<br /> * [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]] - 1.02%<br /> <sup>'''Note:''' Terms shown are the ones used by ARDA; ''Catholic Church'', for instance, versus ''Roman Catholic Church''. The ARDA also notes that their data undercounts traditionally-black churches.</sup><br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> *[[Watonga]], Oklahoma is the birth place of [[Clarence Nash]], better known as the voice of [[Donald Duck]]. Nash captured the ears of a young [[Walt Disney]] with his voice imitation of a duck. Nash provided Donald Duck's world famous voice exclusively until his death in [[1985]]<br /> *Oklahoma is one of only two states whose capital city's name includes the state name. The other is [[Indianapolis, Indiana]].<br /> *The first YIELD sign was used in a trial basis in Tulsa.<br /> * Oklahoma was the last state in the Union to legalize tattooing as of November 1, 2006. [http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=9b33bed6-0abe-421a-0028-8c1b4cab1a2e&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf ]<br /> * The world's first installed parking meter was in Oklahoma City, on July 16, 1935. Carl C. Magee, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is generally credited with originating the parking meter. He filed for a patent for a "coin controlled parking meter" on May 13, 1935.<br /> * Vinita is the oldest incorporated town on Oklahoma [[Route 66]], having been established in 1871. Vinita was the first town in Oklahoma to enjoy electricity. Originally named Downingville. The town's name was later changed to Vinita, in honor of Vinnie Ream, the sculptress who created the life-size statue of Lincoln at the [[United States Capitol]].<br /> * Rural Oklahoma, similar to problems faced by other Plains states ([[Nebraska]], [[Kansas]], [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]] and [[Iowa]]), is seeing populations fall in many communities. Between 1996 and 2004 nearly 500,000 people, half of them with college degrees, left the six states. The effects of rural flight in Oklahoma have mostly been felt in Western Oklahoma.<br /> * The Amateur Softball Association of America - a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, OK - was founded in 1933 and has evolved into the strongest softball organization in the country. <br /> * [[Boise City, Oklahoma]] was the only city in the continental United States to be bombed during [[World War II]]. On Monday night, July 5, 1943, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a B-17 Bomber based at Dalhart Army Air Base (50 miles to the south of Boise City) dropped six practice bombs on the sleeping town. <br /> * An Oklahoman, [[Sylvan Goldman]], invented the first shopping cart. <br /> * In Guthrie, nearly 20,000 lighters and "fire starters" are displayed at the National Lighter Museum. It is the nation's only museum devoted to the collection of lighters.<br /> * Oklahoma has approximately 11,611 miles of shoreline, slightly less than the estimated combined general (nontidal) coastline of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and Arctic Coasts which has 12,383 miles.<ref>Oklahoma Water Resources Board, [http://www.owrb.state.ok.us/util/waterfact.php ''Oklahoma Water Facts'']: "Oklahoma has approximately 11,611 miles of shoreline ...". (Retrieved August 3, 2006)</ref><br /> * In recent years, Oklahoma has become the second largest natural gas-producing state in the nation. Only Texas surpasses Oklahoma in natural gas production.<br /> <br /> ===Oklahoma state symbols===<br /> <br /> {| align="center" style="text-valign: center;"<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Flora<br /> |-<br /> |[[Floral emblem]]<br /> ||[[Mistletoe]]<br /> |-<br /> |[[Wildflower]]<br /> ||[[Indian Blanket]] <small> ''Gaillardia pulchella''<br /> ||1910<br /> |-<br /> |[[Tree]]<br /> ||[[Redbud]] <small> ''Cercis canadensis''<br /> ||1971<br /> |-<br /> |[[State grass|Grass]]<br /> ||[[Indian Grass]] <small>''Sorghastrum nutans''<br /> ||1972<br /> |-<br /> |[[State flower|Flower]]<br /> ||Oklahoma Rose<br /> ||2004<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Fauna<br /> |-<br /> |[[List of U.S. state birds|Bird]]<br /> ||[[Scissor-tailed Flycatcher]] <small>''Muscivora forficata''<br /> ||1951<br /> |-<br /> |[[State reptile|Reptile]]<br /> ||[[Common Collared Lizard|Collared Lizard]] <small>(Mountain Boomer) ''Crotaphytus collaris)''<br /> ||1969<br /> |-<br /> |[[State mammal|Mammal]]<br /> ||[[Bison]] <small>''Bison bison''<br /> ||1972<br /> |-<br /> |[[State fish|Fish]]<br /> ||[[White bass]] <small>(Sand bass) ''Morone chrysops''<br /> ||1974<br /> |-<br /> |[[State furbearer animal|Furbearer Animal]]<br /> ||[[Common Raccoon]] <small>''Procyon lotor''<br /> ||1989<br /> |-<br /> |[[State insect|Insect]]<br /> ||[[Western honey bee|European honey bee]] <small>''Apis mellifera''<br /> ||1992<br /> |-<br /> |[[State game animal|Game Animal]]<br /> ||[[White-tail deer]] <small>''Odocoileus virginians''<br /> ||1990<br /> |-<br /> |[[State game bird|Game Bird]]<br /> ||[[Wild Turkey]] <small>''Meleagris gallopavo''<br /> ||1990<br /> |-<br /> |[[State butterfly|Butterfly]]<br /> ||[[Black Swallowtail]] <small>''Papilio polyxenes''<br /> ||1996<br /> |-<br /> |[[State amphibian|Amphibian]]<br /> ||[[Bullfrog]] <small>''Rana catesbeiana''<br /> ||1997<br /> |-<br /> |[[State fossil|Fossil]]<br /> ||[[Allosaurid|Allosaurid dinosaur]] <small>''Saurophaganax maximus''<br /> ||2000<br /> |-<br /> |[[State flying mammal|Flying Mammal]]<br /> ||[[Mexican Free-Tailed Bat]] <small>''Tadarida brasiliensis''<br /> ||2006<br /> |-<br /> |[[State dinosaur|Dinosaur]]<br /> ||[[High Spined Lizard]] <small>''Acrocanthosaurus atokensis''<br /> ||2006<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3|Music<br /> |-<br /> |[[State waltz|waltz]]<br /> ||"''Oklahoma Wind''"<br /> |-<br /> |[[Anthem]]<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma! (song)|Oklahoma!]]"<br>lyrics: [[Oscar Hammerstein II]]<br>music: [[Richard Rodgers]]<br /> ||1953<br /> |-<br /> |[[state song|Song]]<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma Hills]]"<br>lyrics: [[Woody Guthrie]]<br>music: [[Woody Guthrie]]<br /> ||<br /> |-<br /> |[[Instrument|Musical Instrument]]<br /> ||[[Musical styles (violin)#Fiddle|Fiddle]]<br /> ||1984<br /> |-<br /> |[[Country and Western|Country and Western Song]]<br /> ||"Faded Love"<br>by [[John Willis]]<br>and [[Bob Wills]]<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |Folk Dance<br /> ||[[Square Dance]]<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |[[Percussion|Percussive Musical Instrument]]<br /> ||[[Drum]]<br /> ||1993<br /> |-<br /> |Children's Song<br /> ||"Oklahoma, My Native Land"<br>by Martha Kemm Barrett<br /> ||1996<br /> |-<br /> |Western Band<br /> ||The Sounds of the Southwest<br /> ||1997<br /> |-<br /> |Folk Song<br /> ||"[[Oklahoma Hills]]"<br>by [[Woody Guthrie]]<br>and [[Jack Guthrie]]<br /> ||2001<br /> |-<br /> !colspan=3| Other<br /> |-<br /> |[[Colors]]<br /> ||[[Green]] and [[White]]<br /> ||1915<br /> |-<br /> |[[State rock|Rock]]<br /> ||[[Rose Rock]] <small> (Barite rose)<br /> ||1968<br /> |-<br /> |[[Theatre]]<br /> ||Lynn Riggs Players of Oklahoma, Inc.<br /> ||1971<br /> |-<br /> |[[Poem]]<br /> ||"Howdy Folks" by David Randolph Milsten<br /> ||1973<br /> |-<br /> |[[Pin]]<br /> ||"OK" pin<br /> ||1982<br /> |-<br /> |[[State beverage|Beverage]]<br /> ||[[Milk]]<br /> ||1985<br /> |-<br /> |[[State soil|Soil]]<br /> ||[[Port Silt Loam]] <small> ''Cumulic haplustolls''<br /> ||1987<br /> |-<br /> |[[Meal]]<br /> ||Fried okra,<br> [[Squash (fruit)|squash]],<br> [[cornbread]],<br> [[barbecue pork]],<br> [[biscuits]],<br> [[sausage and gravy]],<br> [[grits]],<br> [[maize|corn]],<br> [[strawberry|strawberries]],<br> [[chicken fried steak]],<br> [[pecan pie]],<br> and [[black-eyed peas]].<br /> ||1988<br /> |-<br /> |[[Poet Laureate]]<br /> ||biennial gubernatorial appointment<br /> ||1994<br /> |-<br /> |[[Tartan]]<br /> ||Oklahoma Tartan<br /> ||1999<br /> |-<br /> |}<br /> <br /> ===See also===<br /> <br /> * [http://www.50states.com/facts/okla.htm More Oklahoma Trivia]<br /> * [http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=5084612 Full Auto Shoot]<br /> <br /> == See also ==<br /> <br /> * [[Cavanal Hill]], World's tallest hill<br /> * [[List of people from Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[List of casinos#Oklahoma|Partial list of Oklahoma casinos]]<br /> * [[List of Oklahoma numbered highways]]<br /> * [[Scouting in Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[Okie]]<br /> * [[Oklahoma Highway Patrol]]<br /> <br /> ==Further reading==<br /> *{{cite book|last=Baird|first=W. David|coauthors=and Danney Goble|title=The Story of Oklahoma|year=1994|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-2650-7}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Dale|first=Edward Everett|coauthors=and Morris L. Wardell|title=History of Oklahoma|year=1948|publisher=Prentice-Hall|location=New York|url=http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=9570550}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Gibson|first=Arrell Morgan|title=Oklahoma: A History of Five Centuries|year=1981|edition=2nd ed.|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1758-3}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Goble|first=Danney|title=Progressive Oklahoma: The Making of a New Kind of State|year=1980|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1510-6}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Stephen|title=Oklahoma Politics in State and Nation|year=1974|edition=vol. 1 (1907-62)|publisher=Haymaker Press|location=Enid, Okla.}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Joyce|first=Davis D. (ed.)|title=An Oklahoma I Had Never Seen Before: Alternative Views of Oklahoma History|year=1994|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-2599-3}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morgan|first=Anne Hodges|coauthors=and H. Wayne Morgan (eds.)|title=Oklahoma: New Views of the Forty-sixth State|year=1982|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1651-X}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morgan|first=David R.|coauthors=Robert E. England, and George G. Humphreys|title=Oklahoma Politics and Policies: Governing the Sooner State|year=1991|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln|id=ISBN 0-8032-3106-7}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Morris|first=John W.|coauthors=Charles R. Goins, and Edwin C. McReynolds|title=Historical Atlas of Oklahoma|year=1986|edition=3rd ed.|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman|id=ISBN 0-8061-1991-8}}<br /> *{{cite book|last=Wishart|first=David J. (ed.)|title=Encyclopedia of the Great Plains|year=2004|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln|id=ISBN 0-8032-4787-7}}<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> <div class="references-small"><br /> * [[U.S. Census Bureau]].<br /> ** [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html Oklahoma QuickFacts]. Geographic and demographic information.<br /> ** [http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0056/tab51.pdf Oklahoma - Race and Hispanic Origin: 1890 to 1990] ([[Portable Document Format|PDF]])<br /> <references/><br /> </div><br /> <br /> == External links ==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma ''Wikipedia'' "Oklahoma"]<br /> * [http://www.ok.gov/ Oklahoma's Official Web Site]<br /> * [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html U.S. Census Bureau]<br /> * [http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/OK.htm Oklahoma State Facts]<br /> * [http://www.oklatourism.gov Oklahoma Tourism Official Website]<br /> <br /> {{Oklahoma}}<br /> {{United_States}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Oklahoma|*]]<br /> [[Category:1907 establishments]]<br /> [[Category:Kappler's Indian Affairs citations]]</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:42:04 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Main_Page Broken Arrow, Oklahoma http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Broken_Arrow,_Oklahoma <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox City |official_name = Broken Arrow, Oklahoma<br /> |nickname = B.A.<br /> |website = http://www.brokenarrowok.gov<br /> |image_map =OKMap-doton-BrokenArrow.PNG|right|Location of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma<br /> |map_caption = Location in the state of [[Oklahoma]]<br /> |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]<br /> |subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]<br /> |subdivision_type2 = [[Counties of the United States|Counties]]<br /> |subdivision_name = [[United States]]<br /> |subdivision_name1 = [[Oklahoma]]<br /> |subdivision_name2 = [[Tulsa County, Oklahoma]]<br /> |leader_title = [[City Manager]]<br /> |leader_name = Jim Twomby<br /> |established_title =[[Municipal government|Incorporated]]<br /> |established_date =[[1902]]<br /> |area_total = 118.1<br /> |TotalArea_sq_mi =|TotalArea_sq_mi = 45.6<br /> |population_as_of = 2004<br /> |population_total = 100,399 <br /> |population_metro = 881,815<br /> |timezone = [[Central Standard Time Zone|CST]]<br /> |utc_offset = -6<br /> |timezone_DST = [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]]<br /> |utc_offset_DST = -5<br /> |latd = 36<br /> |latm = 2<br /> |lats = 11<br /> |latNS = N<br /> |longd = 95<br /> |longm = 47<br /> |longs = 1<br /> |longEW = W<br /> }}<br /> '''Broken Arrow''' is a city located in northeastern [[Oklahoma]] in [[Tulsa County, Oklahoma|Tulsa County]]. It is the largest suburb of [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] and now the 4th largest city in the state (when not including the military population in the city of Lawton). As of the [[2004]] census estimates, the city had a total population of 100,399. The city is often referred to by locals as "B.A."<br /> [[Image:Broken Arrow.JPG|250px|thumb|right|Main Street in Broken Arrow, OK (March, 2006).]]<br /> [[Image:100 1992b.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Main Street in Downtown Broken Arrow, OK (December, 2006).]]<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Demographics==<br /> As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 74,859 people, 26,159 households, and 21,162 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 642.4/km² (1,664.0/mi²). There were 27,085 housing units at an average density of 232.4/km² (602.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.34% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.73% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 4.02% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.90% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.22% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.74% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.56% of the population.<br /> <br /> There were 26,159 households out of which 45.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.1% were non-families. 15.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.18.<br /> <br /> In the city the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.<br /> <br /> The median income for a household in the city was $53,507, and the median income for a family was $58,891. Males had a median income of $42,397 versus $27,559 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,555. About 3.4% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.<br /> <br /> ==Geography==<br /> [[Image:OKMap-doton-BrokenArrow.PNG|right|Location of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma]]<br /> Broken Arrow is located at {{coor dms|36|2|11|N|95|47|1|W|city}} (36.036305, -95.783616){{GR|1}}.<br /> <br /> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 118.1 [[km²]] (45.6 [[square mile|mi²]]). 116.5 km² (45.0 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (1.34%) is water.<br /> <br /> ==History==<br /> The name comes from a [[Creek (people)|Creek]] community who established a new town site in a place where reeds for making arrow shafts grew plentifully. The town's Creek name, Rekackv (pronounced thlee-Kawtch-kuh), meaning broken arrow, was not "official" until the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway company built a railroad which ran through the area. MKT was granted town site privileges along the route. They sold three of the as-yet-unnamed sites in 1902 to the Arkansas Valley Town Site company. William.S. Fears, secretary of the company, was allowed to choose and name one of the locations. He selected a site about 18 miles southeast of Tulsa and about five miles north of the thlee-Kawtch-kuh settlement and named the new town site Broken Arrow.<br /> <br /> ==Awards==<br /> *A recent national crime survey found Broken Arrow to be the 20th safest city in the nation<br /> *Broken Arrow was listed as #66 in the CNN Money list of the 100 best places to live<br /> *The [[Pride of Broken Arrow]], won the Grand Nationals band championship in Indianapolis in 2006.<br /> *The Police Department has won several national awards for their work in reducing the crime rate.<br /> *Broken Arrow has been listed as a "Tree City USA" for over 5 years in a row.<br /> <br /> ==Image==<br /> *The city plans on changing it's logo and having a new slogan by 2007.<br /> *Broken Arrow was once known as "The city of Roses and Pure Water"<br /> *Broken Arrow has been unnoficially considered by some to be the "Church capitol of Oklahoma" due to the city's large number of churches.<br /> <br /> ==Business==<br /> The city has the 3rd largest concentration of industries in the state, with industries ranging from aerospace, machine tools, plastics, and food processing, to metal fabrication, furniture, sporting goods, computers, and telecommunications. Some of Broken Arrow's largest and most notable companies and/or employers include:<br /> *[[Blue Bell Creameries]]<br /> *Flight Safety International <br /> *[[Skycam]]<br /> *R.L. Hudson and Co<br /> *Braden-Carco-Gearmatic-Winch<br /> *Xeta Corporation<br /> *Addvantage Tech <br /> *Air Cooled Exchange<br /> *Gatesway Foundation<br /> *MicahTek, Inc.<br /> *Baker Oil Tools<br /> *GAVCO Plastics<br /> *R.D.S. Manufacturing company<br /> *L-3 AMI Instruments<br /> *Arrow Concrete<br /> *Electronic Label Technology<br /> *Russelectic<br /> *A G Equipment<br /> *Communications Graphics<br /> *Hanover Company<br /> *Paragon Films<br /> *[[Kenneth Hagin Ministries]]<br /> *Arkansas Valley State Bank<br /> *First national Bank and Trust<br /> <br /> There are many new commercial developments happening in the city. Stone Wood Hills is a large, mixed use development located next to a highway. It is anchored by a [[Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World]]. The development will have at least 3 hotels, a conference center, a lifestyle center, several restaurants, and many other retail, entertainment, and dining establishments. It was announced in 2006 that another large lifestyle center will be built next to Stone Wood Hills. There is another large development called The Park at Adam's Creek. Phase 1 is anchored by Lowe's Home Improvement. There are several restaurants there, and more retail is soon to be built there. In addition, there are many new buisiness opening up around the city. There are also more than 11 industrial parks. There are also plans to revitalize the city's downtown area.<br /> <br /> ==Education==<br /> ===Schools===<br /> *Broken Arrow Public Schools. There is 1 senior high school, 2 intermediate high schools, five middle schools, and fourteen elementary schools.<br /> *Union Public Schools<br /> <br /> There are several private schools in the city as well.<br /> <br /> ===Colleges and Universities===<br /> *NSU Broken Arrow<br /> <br /> ===other schools===<br /> *Tulsa Technology Center Broken Arrow campus<br /> *Rhema Bible College<br /> <br /> ===Libraries===<br /> *Broken Arrow Central library<br /> *South Broken Arrow library<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Community Events==<br /> *Rooster Days (downtown Broken Arrow)<br /> *The Broken Arrow Civitan Christmas Parade (downtown Broken Arrow)<br /> *Rhema Christmas lights tour (November 24th to January 1st at Rhema Bible Church)<br /> <br /> ==Transportation==<br /> ===Road===<br /> *Highway 51 (Broken Arrow Expressway)<br /> *Creek Turnpike<br /> <br /> ===Rail===<br /> Plans are being considered to add passenger rail service to Broken Arrow.<br /> <br /> ===Air===<br /> Broken Arrow is serviced by the [[Tulsa International Airport]]<br /> <br /> ==Noteworthy Residents==<br /> *[[Kristin Chenoweth]], [[actress]] and [[soprano]].<br /> *[[Phil Farrand]], [[author]] and [[novelist]].<br /> *[[Brad Penny]], starting pitcher in [[Major League Baseball]].<br /> *[[Kahlen Rondot]] America's Next top model contestant<br /> *[[Ester Drang]], [[Indie rock]] band.<br /> *[[Ralph Blane]] Hunsecker, famous Hollywood singer, composer, and songwriter.<br /> *[[Phenie Lou (Gillett) Ownby]], Former mayor. The first woman in the state and the 6th in the nation become a mayor. She served for 1 term in the 30s and became nationally famous for her strict policy on water payments.<br /> *[[Col. Ernest Childers]], marine from World War 2 who recieved a Medal of Honor for his actions on the battlefield.<br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> * Broken Arrow was the first city in the state and the 6th city in the nation to elect a woman as mayor.<br /> *Broken Arrow has the 3rd largest concentration of industries in the state.<br /> *In 2006, the northern area of city was badly damaged by flooding. <br /> *The city was once home to the Auburn-Cord Dusenburg car company.<br /> *Rooster Days, a local annual festival, is the oldest annual event in the state. It started in the 1930s when chicken farmers would come into town to sell chickens, eggs, and other agracultural products.<br /> *The 1950 western, "[[Broken Arrow]]" had it's world premiere at the Newshow Theater which was located on the northwest corner of Main Street and Commercial Street in downtown Broken Arrow. The city celebrated with, among other things, a parade down Main Street. The building that the Newshow Theater occupied still stands and has most recently housed an insurance company.<br /> <br /> ==See Also==<br /> [[Pride of Broken Arrow]]<br /> <br /> ==External links==<br /> *http://www.brokenarrowok.gov/ (City governemt's web site)<br /> *http://www.brokenarrow.org/ (Chamber of Commerce web site)<br /> *http://www.brokenarroweconomicdevelopment.com/ (economic development website)<br /> *http://www.okmet.org/bb/index.php?board=5.0/ (discussion of news and development in the Tulsa area.)<br /> *http://www.ba.k12.ok.us/ (Broken Arrow Public Schools)<br /> *http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/top100/index3.html (best places to live survey)<br /> {{Mapit-US-cityscale|36.036305|-95.783616}}<br /> <br /> {{Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Tulsa County, Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> [[de:Broken Arrow (Oklahoma)]]<br /> [[fr:Broken Arrow (Oklahoma)]]<br /> [[io:Broken Arrow, Oklahoma]]</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:40:32 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Broken_Arrow,_Oklahoma Lawton, Oklahoma http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Lawton,_Oklahoma <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox City |official_name = Lawton, Oklahoma<br /> |nickname = L-Town<br /> |website = http://www.cityof.lawton.ok.us/<br /> |image_skyline = <br /> |image_flag = <br /> |image_map = OKMap-doton-Lawton.PNG<br /> |map_caption = Location in the state of [[Oklahoma]]<br /> |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]<br /> |subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]<br /> |subdivision_type2 = [[Counties of the United States|Counties]]<br /> |subdivision_name = [[United States]]<br /> |subdivision_name1 = [[Oklahoma]]<br /> |subdivision_name2 = [[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche County]]<br /> |leader_title = [[Mayor]]<br /> |leader_name = John Purcell<br /> |area_magnitude = 1 E8<br /> |area_total = 1083.82 mi² - 677.3<br /> |area_land = 1069.35 mi² - 668.3<br /> |area_water = 14.48 mi² - 5.0<br /> |population_as_of = 2004<br /> |population_total = 92,757 <br /> |population_metro = 114,916<br /> |population_density = 1,234.5 /mi² <br /> |timezone = [[Central Standard Time Zone|CST]]<br /> |utc_offset = -6<br /> |timezone_DST = [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]]<br /> |utc_offset_DST = -5<br /> |latd = 34<br /> |latm = 60<br /> |lats = 92<br /> |latNS = N<br /> |longd = -98<br /> |longm = 41<br /> |longs = 77<br /> |longEW = W<br /> |elevation = ?<br /> }}<br /> '''Lawton''' is a city in [[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche County]], [[Oklahoma]], [[United States]]. It is the principal city of the Lawton, Oklahoma [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. It is the [[county seat]] of [[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche County]]{{GR|6}}. Lawton, founded in [[1901]], is in southwest [[Oklahoma]], near the [[Wichita Mountains]]. Lawton is the cultural and commercial center of the area. Lawton is home to large [[granite]] deposits as well as cotton fields. [[Fort Sill]], [[Fort Sill Indian School]], and [[Medicine Park]] are all nearby.<br /> <br /> ==Geography==<br /> Lawton is located at {{coor dms|34|36|34|N|98|25|4|W|city}} (34.609424, -98.417781){{GR|1}}, 88 miles Southwest of [[Oklahoma City]].<br /> <br /> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 194.6 [[km²]] (75.1 [[square mile|mi²]]), all land.<br /> <br /> Lawton is located south of the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge, Mount Scott, and Lake Lawtonka.<br /> <br /> Named for [[Major General]] [[Henry Ware Lawton]] (1843-1899), [[American Civil War|Civil War]] [[Medal of Honor]] recipient, killed in action during the [[Spanish-American War]], Battle of San Mateo, [[Philippines]].<br /> <br /> ==Demographics==<br /> As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 92,757 people, 31,778 households, and 22,530 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 476.6/km² (1,234.5/mi²). There were 36,433 housing units at an average density of 187.2/km² (484.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.34% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 23.06% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 3.81% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.46% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.44% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.96% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.93% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 9.40% of the population.<br /> <br /> There were 31,778 households out of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.12.<br /> <br /> In the city the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 15.3% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 108.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.7 males.<br /> <br /> The median income for a household in the city was $32,521, and the median income for a family was $37,831. Males had a median income of $27,573 versus $21,623 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,397. About 14.2% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.<br /> <br /> ==Transportation==<br /> Lawton is served by [[Interstate Highway 44]], which is also designated as the [[H.E. Bailey Turnpike]] and connects the city with [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]] to the northeast and [[Wichita Falls, Texas]] to the south. The city is also served by US Highways 62, 277 and 281, and State highways 7 and 36, which connect Lawton with other locations in and out of Southwest Oklahoma.<br /> <br /> The Lawton/Fort Sill Regional Airport offers commuter airline flights to [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]] and other points throughout the nation.<br /> <br /> ==Media==<br /> * [http://www.kccu.org/ KCCU Public Radio (NPR)]<br /> * [http://www.lawton-constitution.com/ Lawton Constitution]<br /> * [http://www.kswo.com/ KSWO-TV 7 (ABC)] <br /> * [http://www.kfdx.com/ KFDX-TV 3 (NBC)] <br /> * [http://www.kauz.com/ KAUZ-TV 6 (CBS)]<br /> <br /> == Points of interest ==<br /> * [[Fort Sill]], built in the 1860's (includes [[Geronimo]]'s gravesite)<br /> * [http://www.bikeusa.com/wichita/meers.htm Meers and the [[Wichita Mountains]] Wildlife Refuge]<br /> * [[Wichita Mountains|Mount Scott]]<br /> * The [[Comanche]] Nation[http://www.comanchenation.com/]<br /> * The village of [[Medicine Park]] on Oklahoma 49.<br /> * [http://www.museumgreatplains.org/ Museum of the Great Plains]<br /> * [http://www.pas.org/Museum/History.cfm Percussive Arts Society Museum]<br /> <br /> ==Famous people from Lawton==<br /> * [[Mary Jane Hall]], Queen of the Kino World Entertainment<br /> * [[Jamaal Banks]], Southern Rap Artist President of Floss City Records<br /> * [[Randy Bass]], former professional baseball player<br /> * [[Larry Birdine]], college football player at University of Oklahoma<br /> * [[Don Blanding]], poet<br /> * [[Grady Brewer]], professional boxer<br /> * [[Jammal Brown]], professional football player<br /> * [[C. J. Cherryh]], Hugo Award-winning author<br /> * [[Joan Crawford]], actress<br /> * [[Benjamin Curtis]], guitarist for [[The Secret Machines]]<br /> * [[Brandon Curtis]], keyboardist, bassist, and lead singer for [[The Secret Machines]]<br /> * [[Marcus Henry]], college football player at University of Kansas<br /> * [[Robert Leon "Butch" Huskey ]], former professional baseball player<br /> * [[Robert S. Johnson]], WWII ace with 27 kills<br /> * [[Stacey King]], former professional basketball player<br /> * [[Mike Minter]], professional football player<br /> * [[N. Scott Momaday]], Pulitzer Prize-winning author<br /> * [[Antonio Perkins]], professional football player<br /> * [[Leon Russell]], singer and songwriter<br /> * [[Will Shields]], professional football player<br /> * [[Kelly Stinnett]], professional baseball player<br /> * [[Bryan White]], country music singer<br /> * [[DJ Wolfe]], college football player at University of Oklahoma<br /> * [[Branden Thomas]], founder/creator of [[Teenhelp.org]]<br /> <br /> ==See also==<br /> *[[Lawton High School]]<br /> <br /> ==External links==<br /> *[http://www.cityof.lawton.ok.us/ Lawton official website]<br /> *[http://www.lawtonps.org/ Lawton Public Schools]<br /> *[http://www.lawtonpolitics.com/ LawtonPolitics official website]<br /> *[http://www.lawtonlinks.com/ Links for Lawton Oklahoma]<br /> {{Mapit-US-cityscale|34.609424|-98.417781}}<br /> *[http://sill-www.army.mil/ Fort Sill Military Resrvation]<br /> <br /> <br /> {{Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Category:Comanche County, Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Category:Lawton, Oklahoma]]<br /> <br /> [[de:Lawton (Oklahoma)]]<br /> [[fr:Lawton (Oklahoma)]]<br /> [[io:Lawton, Oklahoma]]<br /> [[pl:Lawton (Oklahoma)]]<br /> [[zh:劳顿 (俄克拉何马州)]]</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:39:16 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Lawton,_Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Norman,_Oklahoma <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>[[image:Bizzellibrary.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Bizzell Library, University of Oklahoma]]<br /> '''Norman''', Oklahoma USA, the home of The University of Oklahoma, is the county seat and largest city in [[Cleveland County, Oklahoma|Cleveland County]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oklahoma]], and is part of the [[Oklahoma City Metroplex|Oklahoma City]] Metropolitan Statistical Area. <br /> <br /> Norman, a fast growing suburb, is situated 20 minutes south of downtown [[Oklahoma City]] and is the third largest city in the state. As of [[July]], [[2005]], the city had 101,719 full-time residents. It is the business and employment center of [[Cleveland County, Oklahoma|Cleveland County]]{{GR|6}}.<br /> <br /> Norman is best known as the location of the [[University of Oklahoma]], making it a center of culture, technology, and scientific research. Norman is one of the world's most prominent centers of [[meteorology]]. The city is home to many [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] organizations, and the university's meteorology department is one of the most highly regarded in the world. The NOAA and University meteorological agencies and departments are housed within the newly-opened [[National Weather Center]], located in the south part of the City along State Highway 9. Along with the offices within the NWC, several companies, including [http://weathernews.com WeatherNews], have located offices on the [[OU Research Campus]] alongside the new facility. Norman is the birthplace of [[Doppler radar]].<br /> <br /> Norman is also home to the university-operated [[Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History]], (one of the largest of its kind) and the Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art, which made news in 2001 when it was given the Weitzenhoffer Collection, the single most important collection of impressionist art ever given to an American university, including works by [[Mary Cassatt]], [[Vincent van Gogh]], [[Paul Gauguin]], [[Pierre-Auguste Renoir]], and [[Camille Pissarro]], among others.<br /> <br /> Norman's picture-book Main Street is a great source of pride for Normanites, as are the many shady, tree-lined housing areas that surround the OU campus. The west side of town has seen the most development in recent years, including affluent areas like Brookhaven, a sprawling neighborhood of townhomes, apartments, large estates and upscale retail and dining. The east side is older and includes the areas around the OU campus and downtown. Both areas retain their historic appearance and resemble what most people would think of as the core area of a college town. In 2006, [[Money Magazine]] ranked Norman as the 40th best place to live in the United States, the highest of any city in Oklahoma.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/top100/index2.html | publisher=MONEY Magazine | language=English | format=HTML | title=Best Places to Live | accessdate=2006-07-17 }}</ref><br /> <br /> ==Geography==<br /> [[Image:OKMap-doton-Norman.PNG|right|Location of Norman, Oklahoma]]<br /> Norman is located at {{coor dms|35|13|18|N|97|25|6|W|city}} (35.221617, -97.418236){{GR|1}}.<br /> <br /> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 490.8 [[km²]] (189.5 [[square mile|mi²]]). 458.5 km² (177.0 mi²) of it is land and 32.4 km² (12.5 mi²) of it (6.60%) is water.<br /> <br /> ==Demographics==<br /> As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 95,694 people, 38,834 households, and 22,562 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 208.7/km² (540.6/mi²). There were 41,547 housing units at an average density of 90.6/km² (234.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.36% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.26% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 4.45% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.49% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.37% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.01% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.89% of the population.<br /> <br /> There were 38,834 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.<br /> <br /> In the city the population was spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 21.4% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.<br /> <br /> The median income for a household in the city was $36,713, and the median income for a family was $51,189. Males had a median income of $35,896 versus $26,394 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,630. About 7.8% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.<br /> <br /> <br /> [[Image:Abner_norman.JPG|frame|left|Abner Norman statue outside City Hall.]]<br /> <br /> <br /> == History ==<br /> The [[Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway]] planned Norman as a station site in [[Indian Territory]] in 1886-87, taking the name "Norman's Camp," a phrase that (the story goes) had been carved in a nearby tree 16 years earlier by the crew of a U.S. Land Office [[Surveyor (surveying)|surveyor]], Abner E. Norman, who camped nearby while mapping the area. The town itself, while platted by the railroad, wasn't settled until the [[land run|Great Land Run of 1889]], the mad dash by settlers to claim the [[Unassigned Lands]] at the center of Indian Territory. <br /> <br /> By nightfall on April 22, 1889, Norman probably had several hundred residents, camped in tents and covered wagons on town lots that wouldn't remain vacant for long. Almost overnight, the settlement developed into a thriving town. It was near Norman, in [[1895]], that [[Wild Bunch|Doolin Gang]] members [[George Newcomb (Outlaw)|George "Bittercreek" Newcomb]] and Charlie Pierce were killed by the [[Rose Dunn|"Dunn Brothers"]], who were [[bounty hunter]]s from [[Ingalls, Oklahoma]].<br /> <br /> == Business ==<br /> Norman is a global center for the sciences of [[Meteorology]] and [[Geology]] and related research fields. The local business community boasts major employers like Hitachi, [[United Parcel Service|UPS]], Albon Engineering, Xyant Technology, Office Max, ClientLogic, [[National Center for Employee Development]], Immuno-Mycologics, Inc., the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] and several other research companies and smaller firms that take advantage of Norman's hot business climate.<br /> <br /> Currently the nation's 4th largest retail site (University Town Center, a project by the OU Regents), is being built in Norman along I 35, between Robinson Street and Tecumseh Road (2-mile stretch). When completed, the site will also include mixed-use development such as hotels and offices in addition to retail.<br /> <br /> == Community events ==<br /> *[http://medievalfair.occe.ou.edu/ Medieval Fair (Reeves Park)]<br /> *[http://www.jazzinjune.org/ Jazz in June (different venues)]<br /> *[http://www.ci.norman.ok.us/links/may_fair.htm May Fair Arts Festival (Andrew's Park)]<br /> *[http://thepas.org/blog/nfblog/?page_id=16 SummerBreeze Concert Series]<br /> *[[Mardi Gras]] [[parade]] ([[downtown]] Norman)<br /> *[http://www.normanfirehouse.com/events/msnf06.asp Midsummer Nights' Fair] (Lion's Park)<br /> *[http://www.ouimprov.com/ Obviously Unrehearsed Improv (different venues)]<br /> <br /> == Transportation ==<br /> ===Air===<br /> Norman is served by [http://airport.ou.edu University of Oklahoma/Max Westheimer Airport] (OUN).<br /> <br /> ===Rail===<br /> [[Norman (Amtrak station)|Norman's Depot]] is served by [[Heartland Flyer|Amtrak's ''Heartland Flyer.'']]<br /> <br /> ===Road===<br /> Norman is served by several major roadways, as well as a public transit system<br /> *[[Interstate 35]]<br /> *[[State Highway 9 (Oklahoma)]]<br /> *[[U.S. Route 77]]<br /> <br /> == Education ==<br /> === Colleges and universities ===<br /> * [[University of Oklahoma]]<br /> * [[University of Phoenix]]<br /> <br /> === Vocational and technical schools ===<br /> * [[Hollywood Cosmetology Center]]<br /> * [[Moore Norman Technology Center]]<br /> <br /> === Public primary and secondary schools ===<br /> * [[Norman Public Schools]] (or Independent School District Number 29 of Cleveland County, Oklahoma), which includes: <br /> ** [[Norman High School]], <br /> ** [[Norman North High School]],<br /> ** 4 middle schools, and <br /> ** 15 elementary schools.<br /> <br /> === Private primary and secondary schools ===<br /> * [[Community Christian School]] - kindergarten through 12th grade<br /> * [[Robinson Street Christian School]] - kindergarten through 12th grade<br /> * Blue Eagle Christian Academy - kindergarten through 11th grade<br /> * [[All Saints Catholic School (Norman)|All Saints Catholic School]] - pre-kindergarten through 8th grade<br /> * Norman Christian Academy - pre-kindergarten through 7th grade <br /> * Trinity Lutheran School - pre-kindergarten through 6th grade <br /> <br /> == Notable residents and natives ==<br /> Actors: [[James Garner]], [[Jim Ross]], [[Alice Ghostley]], [[Christian Kane]], [[Milena Govich]]<br /> <br /> Musicians and bands: [[Toby Keith]], [[Vince Gill]], [[Chainsaw Kittens]], [[The Flaming Lips]], [[Conway Twitty]], [[Starlight Mints]], [[Evangelicals]], [[The Neighborhood]], [[Stardeath and White Dwarfs]], [[Ghost of Monkshood]], [[The Separation]], [[Magnificent Bird]], [[Year of the Jackalope]], [[The Purple Cow Story]], [[It's Hysterical]], [[The Gunship]], <br /> <br /> Athletes: [[Barry Switzer]], [[Bart Conner]], [[Nadia Comaneci]], [[Bob Stoops]], [[Mark Bradley]], [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|Steve Williams]], [[Roy Williams (safety)|Roy Williams]], [[Tommie Harris]], [[Dean Blevins]], [[Steve Owens (football)|Steve Owens]], [[Jason White (American football)|Jason White]], [[Scott Harper (high jump)]]<br /> <br /> Writers: [[Martin Gardner]], Harold Keith<br /> <br /> Politicians: [[David L. Boren]], [[Carl Albert]]<br /> <br /> Scientists: [[Karl Guthe Jansky]]<br /> <br /> Designers: [[Kayne Gillaspie]]<br /> <br /> ==Sister cities==<br /> *[[Image:Flag_of_France.svg|20px| ]] [[Clermont-Ferrand]], [[France]]<br /> *[[Image:Flag_of_Mexico.svg|20px| ]] [[Colima, Mexico|Colima]], [[Mexico]]<br /> *{{border|[[Image:Flag_of_Japan.svg|20px| ]]}} [[Seika, Japan|Seika]], [[Japan]]<br /> <br /> ==See also==<br /> *[[2005 University of Oklahoma bombing]]<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> <div class="references-small"><br /> <references /><br /> </div><br /> <br /> {{Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area}}<br /> <br /> ==External links==<br /> *{{Mapit-US-cityscale|35.221617|-97.418236}}<br /> *[http://www.visitnorman.com/index.asp Visit Norman]<br /> *[http://urbanok.9.forumer.com/ Urban OK Forums -- Norman Civic & Development Discussion]<br /> *[http://www.ci.norman.ok.us/ Official city website]<br /> *[http://www.jazzinjune.org/ Jazz in June festival]<br /> *[http://thepas.org/blog/nfblog/?page_id=16 SummerBreeze Concert Series]<br /> <br /> {{Oklahoma}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Category:Cleveland County, Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]<br /> [[Category:Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area]]<br /> [[Category:University towns in the United States]]<br /> <br /> [[de:Norman (Oklahoma)]]<br /> [[fr:Norman (Oklahoma)]]<br /> [[io:Norman, Oklahoma]]<br /> [[pl:Norman (Oklahoma)]]</div> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:37:45 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Norman,_Oklahoma Header http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Header <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div> <style type="text/css"><br /> /*<br /> Notes: <br /> -You must log as admin to edit this page<br /> -Whatever you enter in this page will be added to the html in the header after the standard style sheet, so you can override styles. <br /> -if you want your code to look nice on this page, put a space at the beginning of each line<br /> -This is the default style sheet that you can override : http://editthis.info/wiki/skins/monobook/main.css <br /> <br /> For example uncomment this next section to turn all the text green:<br /> */<br /> /*<br /> body {<br /> color: green;<br /> }<br /> */ <br /> </style><br /> <br /> <script type="text/javascript"><br /> //Feel free to add your javascript code here.<br /> </script></div> Sun, 26 Feb 2006 15:50:31 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Header Header http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Header <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div> <style type="text/css"><br /> <br /> /*<br /> Notes: <br /> -You must log as admin to edit this page<br /> -Whatever you enter in this page will be added to the html in the header after the standard style sheet, so you can override styles. <br /> -if you want your code to look nice on this page, put a space at the beginning of each line<br /> -This is the default style sheet that you can override : http://editthis.info/wiki/skins/monobook/main.css <br /> <br /> For example uncomment this next section to turn all the text green:<br /> */<br /> /*<br /> body {<br /> color: green;<br /> }<br /> */ <br /> </style><br /> <br /> <script type="text/javascript"><br /> //Feel free to add your javascript code here.<br /> </script></div> Sun, 26 Feb 2006 15:49:31 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Header Main Page http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Main_Page <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div>Wiki successfully set up.<br /> <br /> ==First Steps==<br /> The username and password for the administrative account is '''admin''', '''admin'''. <br /> #You should log in and change your password now! (After you login go to [[Special:Preferences]])<br /> #On this page: [[image_logo_url]] put just the url for the logo.<br /> #Add the url for your wiki to the [http://www.editthis.info/wiki/index.php/Categorized_Wiki_List Categorized wiki list]. 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}<br /> /* thumbnails */<br /> div.thumb {<br /> margin-bottom: 0.5em;<br /> border-style: solid; border-color: White;<br /> width: auto;<br /> }<br /> div.thumb div {<br /> border:1px solid #cccccc;<br /> padding: 3px !important;<br /> background-color:#f9f9f9;<br /> font-size: 94%;<br /> text-align: center;<br /> overflow: hidden;<br /> }<br /> div.thumb div a img {<br /> border:1px solid #cccccc;<br /> }<br /> div.thumb div div.thumbcaption {<br /> border: none;<br /> text-align: left;<br /> line-height: 1.4em;<br /> padding: 0.3em 0 0.1em 0;<br /> }<br /> div.magnify {<br /> float: right;<br /> border: none !important;<br /> background: none !important;<br /> }<br /> div.magnify a, div.magnify img {<br /> display: block;<br /> border: none !important;<br /> background: none !important;<br /> }<br /> div.tright {<br /> clear: right;<br /> float: right;<br /> border-width: 0.5em 0 0.8em 1.4em;<br /> }<br /> div.tleft {<br /> float: left;<br /> margin-right:0.5em;<br /> border-width: 0.5em 1.4em 0.8em 0;<br /> }<br /> .urlexpansion,<br /> .hiddenStructure {<br /> display: none;<br /> }<br /> img.tex { vertical-align: middle; }<br /> span.texhtml { font-family: serif; }<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** classes for special content elements like town boxes<br /> ** intended to be referenced directly from the wiki src<br /> */<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** User styles<br /> */<br /> /* table standards */<br /> table.rimage {<br /> float:right;<br /> position:relative;<br /> margin-left:1em;<br /> margin-bottom:1em;<br /> text-align:center;<br /> }<br /> .toccolours {<br /> border:1px solid #aaaaaa;<br /> background-color:#f9f9f9;<br /> padding:5px;<br /> font-size: 95%;<br /> }<br /> div.townBox {<br /> position:relative;<br /> float:right;<br /> background:White;<br /> margin-left:1em;<br /> border: 1px solid gray;<br /> padding:0.3em;<br /> width: 200px;<br /> overflow: hidden;<br /> clear: right;<br /> }<br /> div.townBox dl {<br /> padding: 0;<br /> margin: 0 0 0.3em 0;<br /> font-size: 96%;<br /> }<br /> div.townBox dl dt {<br /> background: none;<br /> margin: 0.4em 0 0 0;<br /> }<br /> div.townBox dl dd {<br /> margin: 0.1em 0 0 1.1em;<br /> background-color: #f3f3f3;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** edit views etc<br /> */<br /> .special li {<br /> line-height: 1.4em;<br /> margin: 0;<br /> padding: 0;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /* Page history styling */<br /> /* the auto-generated edit comments */<br /> .autocomment { color: gray; }<br /> #pagehistory span.user {<br /> margin-left: 1.4em;<br /> margin-right: 0.4em;<br /> }<br /> #pagehistory span.minor { font-weight: bold; }<br /> #pagehistory li { border: 1px solid White; }<br /> #pagehistory li.selected {<br /> background-color:#f9f9f9;<br /> border:1px dashed #aaaaaa;<br /> }<br /> /*<br /> ** Diff rendering<br /> */<br /> table.diff { background:white; }<br /> td.diff-otitle { background:#ffffff; }<br /> td.diff-ntitle { background:#ffffff; }<br /> td.diff-addedline {<br /> background:#ccffcc;<br /> font-size: smaller;<br /> }<br /> td.diff-deletedline {<br /> background:#ffffaa;<br /> font-size: smaller;<br /> }<br /> td.diff-context {<br /> background:#eeeeee;<br /> font-size: smaller;<br /> }<br /> span.diffchange { color: red; font-weight: bold; }<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** keep the whitespace in front of the ^=, hides rule from konqueror<br /> ** this is css3, the validator doesn't like it when validating as css2<br /> */<br /> #bodyContent a[href ^="http://"],<br /> #bodyContent a[href ^="gopher://"] {<br /> background: url(external.png) center right no-repeat;<br /> padding-right: 13px;<br /> }<br /> #bodyContent a[href ^="https://"],<br /> .link-https {<br /> background: url("lock_icon.gif") center right no-repeat;<br /> padding-right: 16px;<br /> }<br /> #bodyContent a[href ^="mailto:"],<br /> .link-mailto {<br /> background: url("mail_icon.gif") center right no-repeat;<br /> padding-right: 18px;<br /> }<br /> #bodyContent a[href ^="news://"] {<br /> background: url("news_icon.png") center right no-repeat;<br /> padding-right: 18px;<br /> }<br /> #bodyContent a[href ^="ftp://"],<br /> .link-ftp {<br /> background: url("file_icon.gif") center right no-repeat;<br /> padding-right: 18px;<br /> }<br /> #bodyContent a[href ^="irc://"],<br /> .link-irc {<br /> background: url("discussionitem_icon.gif") center right no-repeat;<br /> padding-right: 18px;<br /> }<br /> /* disable interwiki styling */<br /> #bodyContent a.extiw,<br /> #bodyContent a.extiw:active {<br /> color: #3366bb;<br /> background: none;<br /> padding: 0;<br /> }<br /> #bodyContent a.external { color: #3366bb; }<br /> /* this can be used in the content area to switch off<br /> special external link styling */<br /> #bodyContent .plainlinks a {<br /> background: none !important;<br /> padding: 0;<br /> }<br /> /*<br /> ** Structural Elements<br /> */<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** general portlet styles (elements in the quickbar)<br /> */<br /> .portlet {<br /> border: none;<br /> margin: 0 0 0.5em 0em;<br /> float: none;<br /> padding: 0;<br /> width: 11.6em;<br /> overflow: hidden;<br /> }<br /> .portlet h4 {<br /> font-size: 95%;<br /> font-weight: normal;<br /> white-space: nowrap;<br /> }<br /> .portlet h5 {<br /> background: transparent;<br /> padding: 0em 1em 0em 0.5em;<br /> text-transform: lowercase;<br /> display: inline;<br /> font-size: 91%;<br /> height: 1em;<br /> font-weight: normal;<br /> white-space: nowrap;<br /> }<br /> .portlet h6 {<br /> background: #ffae2e;<br /> border: 1px solid #2f6fab;<br /> border-style: solid solid none solid;<br /> padding: 0em 1em 0em 1em;<br /> text-transform: lowercase;<br /> display: block;<br /> font-size: 1em;<br /> height: 1.2em;<br /> font-weight: normal;<br /> white-space: nowrap;<br /> }<br /> .pBody {<br /> font-size: 95%;<br /> background: White;<br /> border-collapse: collapse;<br /> border: 1px solid #aaaaaa;<br /> padding: 0 0.8em 0.3em 0.5em;<br /> }<br /> .portlet h1,<br /> .portlet h2,<br /> .portlet h3,<br /> .portlet h4 {<br /> margin: 0;<br /> padding: 0;<br /> }<br /> .portlet ul {<br /> line-height: 1.5em;<br /> list-style-type: square;<br /> list-style-image: url("bullet.gif");<br /> font-size:95%;<br /> }<br /> .portlet li {<br /> padding: 0;<br /> margin: 0;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** Logo properties<br /> */<br /> <br /> #p-logo {<br /> z-index: 3;<br /> position:absolute; /*needed to use z-index */<br /> top: 0;<br /> left: 0;<br /> height: 155px;<br /> width: 12em;<br /> overflow: visible;<br /> }<br /> #p-logo h5 { display: none; }<br /> #p-logo a,<br /> #p-logo a:hover {<br /> display: block;<br /> height: 155px;<br /> width: 12.2em;<br /> background-repeat: no-repeat;<br /> background-position: 35% 50% !important;<br /> text-decoration: none;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** the navigation portlet<br /> */<br /> <br /> #p-nav {<br /> position:relative;<br /> z-index:3;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** Search portlet<br /> */<br /> #p-search {<br /> position:relative;<br /> z-index:3;<br /> }<br /> #p-search .pBody {<br /> text-align: center;<br /> }<br /> input.searchButton {<br /> margin-top:1px;<br /> font-size: 95%;<br /> }<br /> #searchGoButton {<br /> padding-left: .5em;<br /> padding-right: .5em;<br /> font-weight: bold;<br /> }<br /> #searchInput {<br /> width:10.9em;<br /> margin: 0;<br /> font-size: 95%;<br /> }<br /> #p-search .pBody {<br /> padding: 0.5em 0.4em 0.4em 0.4em;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** the personal toolbar<br /> */<br /> <br /> #p-personal {<br /> width:100%;<br /> white-space:nowrap;<br /> padding: 0;<br /> margin: 0;<br /> position:absolute;<br /> left:0px;<br /> top:0px;<br /> z-index: 0;<br /> border: none;<br /> background: none;<br /> overflow: visible;<br /> line-height: 1.2em;<br /> }<br /> <br /> #p-personal h5 {<br /> display:none;<br /> }<br /> #p-personal .portlet,<br /> #p-personal .pBody {<br /> padding:0;<br /> margin:0;<br /> border: none;<br /> z-index:0;<br /> overflow: visible;<br /> background: none;<br /> }<br /> /* this is the ul contained in the portlet */<br /> #p-personal ul {<br /> border: none;<br /> line-height: 1.4em;<br /> color: #2f6fab;<br /> padding: 0em 2em 0 3em;<br /> margin: 0;<br /> text-align: right;<br /> text-transform: lowercase;<br /> list-style: none;<br /> z-index:0;<br /> background: none;<br /> }<br /> #p-personal li {<br /> z-index:0;<br /> border:none;<br /> padding:0;<br /> display: inline;<br /> color: #2f6fab;<br /> margin-left: 1em;<br /> line-height: 1.2em;<br /> background: none;<br /> }<br /> #p-personal li a {<br /> text-decoration: none;<br /> color: #005896;<br /> padding-bottom: 0.2em;<br /> background: none;<br /> }<br /> #p-personal li a:hover {<br /> background-color: White;<br /> padding-bottom: 0.2em;<br /> text-decoration: none;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /* the icon in front of the user name, single quotes<br /> in bg url to hide it from iemac */<br /> li#pt-userpage,<br /> li#pt-anonuserpage,<br /> li#pt-login {<br /> background: url('user.gif') top left no-repeat;<br /> padding-left: 20px;<br /> text-transform: none;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** the page-related actions- page/talk, edit etc<br /> */<br /> #p-cactions {<br /> position:absolute;<br /> top: 1.3em;<br /> left: 11.5em;<br /> margin: 0;<br /> white-space:nowrap;<br /> width: 76%;<br /> line-height: 1.1em;<br /> overflow: visible;<br /> background: none;<br /> border-collapse: collapse;<br /> padding-left: 1em;<br /> list-style: none;<br /> font-size: 95%;<br /> }<br /> #p-cactions .hiddenStructure { display: none; }<br /> #p-cactions ul {<br /> list-style: none;<br /> }<br /> #p-cactions li {<br /> display: inline;<br /> border: 1px solid #aaaaaa;<br /> border-bottom: none;<br /> padding: 0 0 0.1em 0;<br /> margin: 0 0.3em 0 0;<br /> overflow: visible;<br /> background: White;<br /> }<br /> #p-cactions li.selected {<br /> border-color: #fabd23;<br /> padding: 0 0 0.2em 0;<br /> }<br /> #p-cactions li a {<br /> background-color: White;<br /> color: #002bb8;<br /> border: none;<br /> padding: 0 0.8em 0.3em 0.8em;<br /> text-decoration: none;<br /> text-transform: lowercase;<br /> position: relative;<br /> z-index: 0;<br /> margin: 0;<br /> }<br /> #p-cactions .selected a { z-index: 3; }<br /> #p-cactions .new a { color:#ba0000; }<br /> #p-cactions li a:hover {<br /> z-index: 3;<br /> text-decoration: none;<br /> }<br /> #p-cactions h5 { display: none; }<br /> #p-cactions li.istalk { margin-right: 0; }<br /> #p-cactions li.istalk a { padding-right: 0.5em; }<br /> #p-cactions #ca-addsection a {<br /> padding-left: 0.4em;<br /> padding-right: 0.4em;<br /> }<br /> /* offsets to distinguish the tab groups */<br /> li#ca-talk { margin-right: 1.6em; }<br /> li#ca-watch, li#ca-unwatch, li#ca-varlang-0 { margin-left: 1.6em; }<br /> <br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** the remaining portlets<br /> */<br /> #p-tbx,<br /> #p-lang {<br /> position:relative;<br /> z-index:3;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** footer<br /> */<br /> #footer {<br /> background-color: White;<br /> border-top: 1px solid #fabd23;<br /> border-bottom: 1px solid #fabd23;<br /> margin: 0.6em 0em 1em 0em;<br /> padding: 0.4em 0em 1.2em 0em;<br /> text-align: center;<br /> font-size: 90%;<br /> }<br /> #footer li {<br /> display: inline;<br /> margin: 0 1.3em;<br /> }<br /> /* hide from incapable browsers */<br /> head:first-child+body #footer li { white-space: nowrap; }<br /> #f-poweredbyico, #f-copyrightico {<br /> margin: 0 8px;<br /> position: relative;<br /> top: -2px; /* Bump it up just a tad */<br /> }<br /> #f-poweredbyico {<br /> float: right;<br /> height: 1%;<br /> }<br /> #f-copyrightico {<br /> float: left;<br /> height: 1%;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /* js pref toc */<br /> #preftoc {<br /> float: left;<br /> margin: 1em 1em 1em 1em;<br /> width: 13em;<br /> }<br /> #preftoc li { border: 1px solid White; }<br /> #preftoc li.selected {<br /> background-color:#f9f9f9;<br /> border:1px dashed #aaaaaa;<br /> }<br /> #preftoc a,<br /> #preftoc a:active {<br /> display: block;<br /> color: #0014a6;<br /> }<br /> #prefcontrol {<br /> clear: both;<br /> float: left;<br /> margin-top: 1em;<br /> }<br /> div.prefsectiontip {<br /> font-size: 95%;<br /> margin-top: 1em;<br /> }<br /> fieldset.operaprefsection { margin-left: 15em }<br /> <br /> /*<br /> ** IE/Mac fixes, hope to find a validating way to move this<br /> ** to a separate stylesheet. This would work but doesn't validate:<br /> ** @import("IEMacFixes.css");<br /> */<br /> /* tabs: border on the a, not the div */<br /> * > html #p-cactions li { border:none; }<br /> * > html #p-cactions li a {<br /> border: 1px solid #aaaaaa;<br /> border-bottom: none;<br /> }<br /> * > html #p-cactions li.selected a { border-color: #fabd23; }<br /> /* footer icons need a fixed width */<br /> * > html #f-poweredbyico,<br /> * > html #f-copyrightico { width: 88px; }<br /> * > html #bodyContent,<br /> * > html #bodyContent pre {<br /> overflow-x: auto;<br /> width: 100%;<br /> padding-bottom: 25px;<br /> }<br /> <br /> /* more IE fixes */<br /> /* float/negative margin brokenness */<br /> * html #footer {margin-top: 0;}<br /> * html #column-content {<br /> display: inline;<br /> margin-bottom: 0;<br /> }<br /> * html div.editsection { font-size: smaller; }<br /> #pagehistory li.selected { position: relative; }<br /> <br /> /* Mac IE 5.0 fix; floated content turns invisible */<br /> * > html #column-content {<br /> float: none;<br /> }<br /> * > html #column-one {<br /> position: absolute;<br /> left: 0;<br /> top: 0;<br /> }<br /> * > html #footer {<br /> margin-left: 13.2em;<br /> }<br /> .redirectText {<br /> font-size:150%;<br /> margin:5px;<br /> }<br /> <br /> .printfooter {<br /> display: none;<br /> }<br /> <br /> .not_patrolled {<br /> background-color: #ffa;<br /> }<br /> div.patrollink {<br /> font-size: 75%;<br /> text-align: right;<br /> }<br /> span.newpage, span.minor, span.searchmatch {<br /> font-weight: bold;<br /> }<br /> span.unpatrolled {<br /> font-weight:bold;<br /> color:red;<br /> }<br /> <br /> span.searchmatch {<br /> color: red;<br /> }<br /> .sharedUploadNotice {<br /> font-style: italic;<br /> }<br /> <br /> span.updatedmarker {<br /> color:black;<br /> background-color:#00FF00;<br /> }<br /> span.newpageletter {<br /> font-weight:bold;<br /> color:black;<br /> background-color:yellow;<br /> }<br /> span.minoreditletter {<br /> color:black;<br /> background-color:#C5FFE6;<br /> }<br /> <br /> table.gallery {<br /> border: 1px solid #cccccc;<br /> margin: 2px;<br /> padding: 2px;<br /> background-color:#ffffff;<br /> }<br /> <br /> table.gallery tr {<br /> vertical-align:top;<br /> }<br /> <br /> table.gallery td {<br /> vertical-align:top;<br /> background-color:#f9f9f9;<br /> border: solid 2px white;<br /> }<br /> <br /> div.gallerybox {<br /> margin: 2px;<br /> width: 150px;<br /> }<br /> <br /> div.gallerybox div.thumb {<br /> text-align: center;<br /> border: 1px solid #cccccc;<br /> margin: 2px;<br /> }<br /> <br /> div.gallerytext {<br /> font-size: 94%;<br /> padding: 2px 4px;<br /> }<br /> <br /> #fundraising {<br /> text-align: center;<br /> border: 1px solid gray;<br /> padding: 5px;<br /> margin-top: 5px;<br /> }<br /> </style></div> Sun, 26 Feb 2006 15:26:38 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Header Header http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Header <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div> <script type="text/javascript"><br /> //Your Javascript Here <br /> </script><br /> <style type="text/css"><br /> body {<br /> color: purple;<br /> background-color: #d8da3d }<br /> </style></div> Sun, 26 Feb 2006 14:57:34 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Header Header http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Header <p>Admin: </p> <hr /> <div><script type="text/javascript"><br /> <br /> </script><br /> <style type="text/css"><br /> body {<br /> color: purple;<br /> background-color: #d8da3d }<br /> </style></div> Sun, 26 Feb 2006 14:56:21 GMT Admin http://72.14.177.54/oklahoma/Talk:Header