 Oklahoma
Information
Capital City: Oklahoma
City
Economy:
Agriculture, petroleum, tourism, mining.
Passport/Visa U.S.: Canadians
need to show proof of citizenship accompanied by a photo ID (we recommend
a passport). Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier prior
to departure.
Population: 3,358,045
Religion: Christian (Protestant,
Roman Catholic), though other religions are represented.
Time Zone: 6 hours behind
Greenwich Mean Time (-6 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the
first Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October
Voltage Requirements: 110
volts
Oklahoma's Flag:
The Oklahoma state flag honors more than 60 groups of Native Americans and
their ancestors. The blue field comes from a flag carried by Choctaw soldiers
during the civil war. The center shield is the battle shield of an Osage
warrior. It is made of buffalo hide and decorated with eagle feathers. Two
symbols of peace lie across the shield. One is the calumet, or peace pipe.
The other is an olive branch. Crosses on the shield are Native American
signs for stars, representing high ideals.
History of Oklahoma:
Francisco V?squez de Coronado first explored the region
for Spain in 1541. The U.S. acquired most of Oklahoma in 1803 in the Louisiana
Purchase from France; the Western Panhandle region became U.S. territory
with the annexation of Texas in 1845. Set aside as Indian Territory in 1834,
the region was divided into Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory on May
2, 1890. The two were combined to make a new state, Oklahoma, on Nov. 16,
1907. On April 22, 1889, the first day homesteading was permitted, 50,000
people swarmed into the area. Those who tried to beat the noon starting
gun were called “Sooners,” hence the state's nickname. Oil made
Oklahoma a rich state, but natural-gas production has now surpassed it.
Oil refining, meat packing, food processing, and machinery manufacturing
(especially construction and oil equipment) are important industries. Other
minerals produced in Oklahoma include helium, gypsum, zinc, cement, coal,
copper, and silver. Oklahoma's rich plains produce bumper yields of wheat,
as well as large crops of sorghum, hay, cotton, and peanuts. More than half
of Oklahoma's annual farm receipts are contributed by livestock products,
including cattle, dairy products, and broilers. Tourist attractions include
the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, the Will Rogers Memorial
in Claremore, the Cherokee Cultural Center with a restored Cherokee village,
the restored Fort Gibson Stockade near Muskogee, the Lake Texoma recreation
area, Pari-Mutual horse racing at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, and Blue
Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw.
Other Oklahoma Links:
Oklahoma Department
of Education
Oklahoma Department of Tourism
Oklahoma Department of Libraries
Oklahoma Association of Business
and Industry
Oklahoma Geological Survey
Oklahoma Job Net
Oklahoma Municipal League
Oklahoma Resources Integration General Information Network System (ORIGINS)
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
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