Us States Texas Essay Example
Us States Texas Essay Example

Us States Texas Essay Example

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  • Pages: 19 (5001 words)
  • Published: August 22, 2018
  • Type: Case Study
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Texas is a state in the West South Central region of the United States. It shares borders with Mexico to the southwest and the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast. It is also bordered by New Mexico to the west, Oklahoma and Arkansas to the north and northeast, and Louisiana to the east.

Austin is the capital of Texas and Houston is its largest city. Texas has a similar size to Ohio, Indiana, and the combined area of New England and Middle Atlantic states. Its vast territory includes forests, mountains, deserts, dry plains, as well as a long coastal lowland with a humid subtropical climate. Moreover, Texas possesses an unparalleled abundance of mineral resources compared to other states.

Texas, being stimulated by its abundant resources and vast size, has become an iconic symbol of American folklore. The legend is

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attributed to the prominence of oil wells, chemicals, ranches, and cattle. Texas was under the Spanish Empire for over a century until Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, when Texas briefly became a part of Mexico.

The section from San Antonio southward maintains the characteristics of the Hispano-Mexican period in terms of architectural style, cuisine, and festivals. The term "Texas" originates from tejas or teyas, which was adopted by the Spanish in the mid-16th century as a translation for the Caddo people's word meaning friends or allies. Over time, it came to represent the region north of the Rio Grande and east of New Mexico. In 1836, this area became an independent republic officially known as Texas. It remained independent until December 29, 1845, when it joined the Union and became the 28th state. Texas

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earned its nickname "The Lone Star State" during its independent period due to its flag featuring a single star.

In terms of physical geography, Texas is second only to Alaska in size among states with a total area of 692,244 sq km (267,277 sq mi). This includes 12,844 sq km (4959 sq mi) of inland water and 1046 sq km (404 sq mi) of coastal water under its jurisdiction.

Texas is approximately 1240 km (about 770 mi) wide from east to west and about 1290 km (about 800 mi) long from north to south. It covers around 7 percent of the land area of the United States and has an average elevation of about 500 m (1700 ft).

The state of Texas has four natural regions called physiographic provinces: the Gulf Coastal Plain, Central Lowland, Great Plains, and Basin and Range province. The Gulf Coastal Plain falls under the category of Coastal Plain and dominates most of eastern and southern Texas, making up over one-third of the state.

The coastal region of Texas is mostly flat and at a lower elevation, while as you move inland, the land gradually becomes higher and more rolling, reaching up to about 300 m (around 1000 ft). The Gulf Coastal Plain in this area has scattered low hills. In these elevated areas, the valleys of streams are deeper and more prominent than those along the coast. The Osage Plains, which are part of the Central Lowland division within the Interior Plains, occupy a significant portion of north-central Texas.

The land in the region has varying elevation. In the east, it is approximately 150 m (about 500 ft), while in the west, it reaches about

800 m (about 2600 ft). The Central Lowland contains several belts of low hills that run north to south. A significant part of northern and central Texas is covered by the Great Plains, which is a subdivision of the Interior Plains. The northern section of the Great Plains, known as the High Plains or Llano Estacado (Staked Plain), has an elevation ranging from about 750 m (about 2500 ft) to over 1200 m (4000 ft).

Texas is predominantly flat, with some eroded river valleys. Nevertheless, the southern portion of the Great Plains can be partitioned into two distinct regions: the Edwards Plateau and the Central Texas section. The Edwards Plateau stands apart because of its level surface and solid limestone composition. In contrast, the Hill Country, also known as the Central Texas section, exhibits hilly and rocky terrain. Both areas are characterized by a lengthy ridge called the Balcones Escarpment on their eastern border.

The lower Gulf Coastal Plain in Texas is split into the Pecos Valley and Plains Border. The Pecos Valley, situated in the southwest, is characterized by its flat and rocky topography. Conversely, the Plains Border, located in the northeastern corner of the Panhandle, features either level or gently rolling land.

The Intermontane Plateaus subdivision known as the Basin and Range province is situated in the far western part of Texas, to the west of the Great Plains. This region contains rugged mountain ranges in its central part, with high dry basins or plateaus located between the mountain ridges and to the west of them. The Basin and Range province in Texas can be divided into two sections, namely the Mexican Highland and the Sacramento

section. Among these sections, the Sacramento section stands out with its more extensive plateaus and is home to Texas's highest point, Guadalupe Peak, which stands at 2667 m (8749 ft) above sea level.
Texas boasts the Ro Grande as its largest river, stretching southeastward for about 1300 mi (about 2100 km) and serving as a border between Texas and Mexico.

The Rio Grande river experiences fluctuating water levels throughout the year, with low levels being the norm and floods occurring after heavy rain. In the central part of Texas, there are three rivers - the Colorado, Trinity, and Brazos - which flow from either the Great Plains or Central Lowland in order to reach the Gulf of Mexico. The Colorado River holds particular significance as it has been dammed to create several large artificial lakes. Furthermore, two other notable rivers are the Red River, which forms a significant portion of the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma, and the Sabine River, which serves as part of the border between Texas and Louisiana. Accompanying these major rivers in the Gulf Coastal Plain region are shorter ones such as Nueces, San Antonio, Guadalupe, Lavaca, and San Jacinto.

While some lakes in Texas are man-made due to dam construction, there are also natural lakes like Caddo Lake along the Louisiana border. In contrast to typical open bodies of water, Caddo Lake stands out with its intricate network of channels and inlets. Moreover, notable artificial lakes consist of Lake Texoma located on the Red River, Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Sabine River, and Sam Rayburn Reservoir on a tributary of the Neches River.

The Gulf of Mexico coastline in Texas spans 591 km

(367 mi), consisting mainly of elongated barrier islands. Including the shorelines of these islands and bays, the total length extends to over 5300 km (3300 mi). The area between the mainland and islands is characterized by shallow lagoons. Padre Island, designated a National Seashore, is the largest island on this coast, showcasing dunes.

Texas exhibits varying climates across its regions. Eastern Texas has a humid subtropical climate, while central areas possess a semiarid low latitude climate. Conversely, arid low latitude climate dominates in the far west. Along the coast, weather conditions are more temperate with fewer temperature extremes.

In Texas, hurricanes are prevalent in coastal areas from late July to September, while tornadoes commonly occur in north-central Texas during April and May.

Summers in Texas are generally hot, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C (95°F). Most parts of the state experience average July temperatures ranging from 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F). Winters tend to be mild, except for the extreme northern regions. The coldest winter weather is caused by north winds called northers as they travel down the Great Plains. However, these winds gradually warm up when crossing over Texas and result in above-freezing temperatures upon reaching the coast.

The average temperatures in January in Texas range from 16 C (60 F) in the extreme south to 1 C (34 F) in the northern Panhandle. As for rainfall, it gradually decreases from east to west. Along the Texas-Louisiana border, there is an annual rainfall of almost 1400 mm (55 in). In the central part of the state, one can expect approximately 640 mm (about 25 in) of precipitation, while less than 250 mm (10 in) falls in the extreme

western part. Rainfall is generally highest during summer. However, except for higher mountains and the High Plains region, snow is not very common throughout Texas.

The growing season in Texas varies from approximately 320 days on the coast to about 180 days in the Panhandle. In most of the state, the first killing frost occurs around mid-November in fall, while the last hard frost happens toward the end of March in spring. The eastern region of Texas and the Gulf Coastal Plain have predominantly red and yellow soils that are mainly sandy but can be productive with proper fertilizer usage. Some areas within the Gulf Coastal Plain and central Texas have soils composed of weathered decayed limestone, which is covered by native grasses and has resulted in a rich, nearly black soil.

The soil in southern Texas is renowned for being one of the finest types for farming in the state. It hardens when dry but becomes sticky and challenging to plow when wet. The lower Rio Grande region particularly boasts fertile alluvial soils, making it highly productive. However, the scarcity of rainfall often hampers productivity in this area.

The majority of the High Plains area is characterized by fertile reddish-chestnut soils that thrive with sufficient water supply. Moving towards the southern region, the Edwards Plateau exhibits thin and impoverished soils. Livestock grazing predominantly occupies the land in this area. Within the Basin and Range province, the river valleys of the Pecos and Ro Grande host fertile alluvial soils. However, farming faces constraints in most other parts of the region due to excessive soil salinity.

Plant Life Texas's vegetation undergoes a gradual transformation from east to west due to

the increasing aridity of the climate. In the eastern part of Texas, forests consisting primarily of loblolly pines and shortleaf pines are prevalent. These forests typically feature various fern species as part of their undergrowth. Moving westward from the pinewoods leads to the post oak belt, characterized by a combination of pine and hardwood forests.

In Central Texas, there is a wide range of oak, sweetgum, hickory, and elm trees that thrive. Moving further west, the forests become less dense and the trees smaller. Mistletoe often grows on these trees as it is a parasitic plant. Most of Central Texas is covered in grasslands with patches of dense junipers known as "cedar breaks." Southern Texas and parts of the Great Plains are mostly made up of grasslands with clusters of mesquite trees. The mesquite tree has an impressive ability to extract water and minerals from dry soil, allowing it to flourish in arid climates.

The big bluestem and little bluestem are the dominant grasses, with the former usually found in less arid areas. In Western Texas, desert vegetation thrives with plants that have minimal foliage and bloom solely during moist periods. These plants possess extensive root systems to maximize water absorption. Certain plants, such as cacti, feature dense spongy tissues for water storage.

In the western parts of Texas, higher elevations are home to fir and pine trees. Meanwhile, central Texas is known for its vibrant wildflowers that fill the fields and roadsides, particularly in late spring. Notable among these wildflowers are the state flower, bluebonnet, as well as Indian paintbrush and prickly pear. Prickly pear is a type of cactus that thrives in dry areas and bears

large yellow flowers on its thorny leaves. Unfortunately, settlement and extensive hunting and trapping have greatly reduced Texas's wild animal population. Among game animals, the white-tailed deer holds significant importance while coyotes mostly inhabit the rugged terrain of southwestern Texas.

Various large animals can still be found in Texas, including pronghorn antelope, cougar, and black bear. Additionally, smaller animals like rabbits, squirrels, skunks, and raccoons are also present. The prairie dog population was once abundant on the prairies but has significantly declined. Two unique creatures found in Texas are the nine-banded armadillo, a slow-moving creature with a scaly shell-like skin; and the peccary (or javelina), which resembles a small pig. Furthermore, Texas is home to various reptiles among which the western diamondback rattlesnake stands out as one of the most well-known and dangerous poisonous snakes.

In Texas, there is a wide range of snakes such as the coral snake, copperhead, and cottonmouth. It is also home to more than 85 species of nonpoisonous snakes. The eastern and coastal parts of Texas are famous for their alligators, turtles, and various birds. Moreover, Texas has several types of horned lizards. The mockingbird is especially well-known among the bird species that reside in this state.

In Texas, there is a diverse range of bird species in the eastern and central parts, including jays, wrens, woodpeckers, sparrows, and titmice. During winter around the lakes and lagoons of the Gulf Coast, various types of ducks, geese, and the endangered whooping crane can be found. The whooping crane is an impressive bird standing at approximately 1.5 m (about 5 ft) tall and its population is gradually increasing due to strict protection measures.

The interior

of Texas is also home to wild turkeys and roadrunners. In the mountains of the Basin and Range region reside a small number of golden eagles. Off the coast of Texas lies an abundance of commercially caught marine species such as shrimp, crab, oyster, snapper, flounder, and drumfish.

The tarpon and sea-trout are popular saltwater game fish while catfish, bass, and sunfish are commonly caught freshwater fish in Texas. Conservation efforts in the state mainly revolve around ensuring enough water supply, which is considered its most significant environmental issue. Texas maintains over 200 reservoirs for multiple purposes including water supply, recreation, flood control, and irrigation. Underground water sources are extensively used for irrigation. Preserving soil and protecting wildlife in Texas are also major priorities.

Texas's conservation program involves both state organizations, such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and federal agencies. Soil conservation is carried out in the state by 212 soil conservation districts, which encompass approximately 99 percent of the land. Various projects include reseeding grasses and rangelands to prevent wind and water erosion, terracing croplands in hilly regions, and implementing crop rotation in areas where soil fertility has been affected by extensive monoculture. The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission plays a key role in environmental pollution control at the state level.

In the early 1990s, Texas ranked second to last among the states in spending less than 0.6 percent of its annual budget on the environment, only ahead of New York. During the mid-1990s, the state had 30 hazardous waste sites that needed cleanup due to their severity or proximity to people, which were placed on a national priority list. However, efforts were being made

to reduce pollution, resulting in a more than 45 percent reduction in toxic chemicals discharged into the environment by 1993 compared to four years prior. Texas possesses a wide variety of resources, supporting a diverse range of economic activities. The state's economy has closely mirrored key technological advancements throughout its history, such as the widespread use of barbed wire in the 1880s that improved cattle breeding and ranching.

By the 1920s, increased cotton production in the state of Texas emerged due to both the boll weevil affecting other southern states and advancements in irrigation techniques. This sustained a major industry that remains present today. Oil production started in 1894, but it wasn't until the discovery of petroleum at Spindletop in 1901 that large-scale production commenced. This discovery led Texas to become the leading state in oil production and refining in the United States during the 20th century. As a result, the state's economy gradually shifted away from agriculture and lumbering towards large-scale manufacturing, driven by industries associated with petroleum like petrochemical production and manufacturing equipment for the oil and gas sector. While oil, cotton, and cattle have long been prominent industries, Texas now boasts hundreds of other business and industrial activities.

Some of these changes are influenced by technological advancements, specifically in the aerospace and computer industries. Additionally, the decline in oil prices in the mid-1980s negatively impacted Texas' energy-producing sectors, leading to further diversification efforts. Furthermore, the state's economy was boosted by the presence of numerous federal military installations and U.S. facilities like the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, which is located close to Houston.

Texas is home to many major corporations, particularly in Houston and the

Dallas-Fort Worth area. In the early 1990s, approximately 9,786,000 people were employed in the state. The service industries, which encompass activities like dry cleaning and computer programming, contribute the largest portion of the state's gross product and employ around 28 percent of the workforce. About 22 percent are employed in wholesale or retail trade, 16 percent in federal, state, or local government (including military personnel), 11 percent in manufacturing, 7 percent in finance, insurance, or real estate, 5 percent in construction, 5 percent in transportation or public utilities, 4 percent in farming (including agricultural services), forestry, or fishing, and 3 percent in mining.

In the mid-1990s, Texas had a unionization rate of only 7 percent due to its right-to-work law, which does not require union membership for employment. Additionally, in that period, Texas had a total of 185,000 ranches and farms, with less than 40 percent of them generating annual sales exceeding $10,000. Many of these agricultural operations were secondary activities for individuals who had other occupations. The amount of farmland in Texas during that time was 52.3 million hectares (129.3 million acres).

Most of the land on farms in Texas consists of rangeland, with only about one-fifth being cropland. The state ranks second nationwide in income from sales of all farm products, fourth in income from crop sales, and first in income from sales of livestock and animal products. Texas grows various crops, including wheat and sorghum grain in the High Plains, as well as rice and citrus fruits along the subtropical Gulf Coast. Additionally, Texas is the leading producer of cattle, sheep, and lambs in the country.

Texas is a major producer of various agricultural products,

including cotton, sorghum grain, wheat, dairy products, rice, corn, vegetables, poultry and eggs, greenhouse and nursery products, hogs, peanuts, hay, and oranges. Farm income in Texas is primarily generated from cattle, cotton lint, and dairy products. Livestock sales generate more revenue than crop sales. The ranches in Texas rear Hereford, Shorthorn, Angus, and Brahman cattle. The King Ranch in south Texas played a significant role in developing the Santa Gertrudis breed, which is the only recognized breed to originate in the United States.

Cattle production has moved from the dry regions of western Texas to the more humid eastern areas. Ranching is heavily focused on the Gulf Coast and the southern Ro Grande plain below the Edwards Plateau. The drier regions of western Texas, particularly the Edwards Plateau, continue to be significant for sheep and goat production. Texas is well-known for its Angora goats, which are the main source of mohair in the United States.

One of the significant advancements in Texas's agriculture has been the movement of cotton production towards the west. The use of irrigation has played a crucial role in stimulating this shift. Cotton, which was previously the main crop in the Black Prairies of eastern Texas, has now become a major crop in the irrigated areas of the High Plains. Additionally, grain sorghum is also a prominent crop on these irrigated lands. Irrigation agriculture is vital in parts of the lower Rio Grande Valley, where various crops including vegetables, citrus fruits, sugarcane, and cotton are cultivated. Further north, in the Winter Garden region centered around Crystal City, the leading crops are vegetables and melons.

They are also grown under irrigation. Around El Paso and

Pecos, lands are irrigated mainly for cotton production. Rice culture, also under irrigation, dominates the Texas Gulf Coast from the Louisiana-Texas border to Lavaca Bay. Most of the corn and wheat grown in Texas is dryfarmed, or grown without irrigation. Corn is grown in central and eastern Texas, and wheat, also irrigated in places, comes mainly from the plains of the Panhandle. With its long Gulf coastline, which includes numerous bays and estuaries, commercial fishing in Texas is almost exclusively a saltwater business.

Shellfish, such as shrimp, make up around two-thirds of the fishing income. Additionally, smaller amounts of crabs and oysters are also harvested. The key commercial finfish varieties include snapper, flounder, and tuna. Important commercial fishing hubs include Brownsville-Port Isabel, Aransas Pass-Rockport, and Freeport.

Menhaden, a fish that cannot be eaten and is instead used for animal feeds, industrial oils, and fertilizer, is also caught. In the early years of the 20th century, lumber production reached its peak, but then declined due to the severe depletion of forest resources. However, since the 1930s, the cut has increased as a result of focusing on scientific tree cutting practices and reforestation. The most valuable tree crop is yellow pine, harvested from the forests of eastern Texas in the Lufkin and Camden area. This timber is primarily used in pulp and paper manufacturing.

Some hardwood is used for furniture and construction lumber. Texas has been the leading state in mineral production for many years, with petroleum, natural gas, and natural gas liquids being the main contributors. These accounted for 94 percent of the mineral value in the early 1990s. However, the existing reserves of oil and gas

were being depleted under current economic and technological conditions. The most valuable non-fuel minerals extracted included crushed and broken stone, with Texas being the top producer among all states. Other notable minerals produced in Texas were portland cement (the second-largest producer), magnesium metal, salt, sulfur, talc (second-largest producer), masonry cement (third-largest producer), clays, gypsum, and molybdenum.

The state of Texas has a low percentage of wage earners employed in mining activities, as the industry requires a large amount of equipment but relatively few workers. Mineral resources can be found in almost all of the 254 counties in Texas, with petroleum being the most prominent. Petroleum is produced in around 200 counties, but there are three main areas known for their petroleum production: the East Texas Oil Field in Kilgore, the Texas Gulf Coast region, and the Permian Basin in western Texas. The majority of the leading petroleum-producing counties, except for one, are located in western Texas. Texas closely regulates its petroleum production to promote conservation efforts.

Natural gas production in Texas is highly concentrated, with the leading counties for production located in the Gulf Coast and Permian Basin areas. Manufacturing has also experienced significant growth in the state. In the early 1990s, manufacturing generated an annual income of $82.5 billion and employed approximately 1,033,000 workers. The leading industries in terms of employment are chemical manufacturing, industrial machinery manufacturing, electrical equipment manufacturing, fabricated metals manufacturing, processed foods manufacturing, and petroleum products manufacturing.

In terms of total industrial income generated in the state, the chemical industry holds the top position, followed by petroleum refineries, food processors, machinery manufacturers, electronic goods manufacturers, and firms producing fabricated metals and transportation equipment.

The Gulf Coast region forms a well-defined belt of manufacturing activity, covering areas such as Beaumont-Port Arthur-Orange, Houston, Galveston-Texas City, Freeport, Port Lavaca, and Corpus Christi. The development of these areas has been driven by the availability of raw materials, access to natural gas for power generation, and proximity to global markets thanks to their coastal locations. The Gulf Coast is known for its production of chemical products, particularly petrochemicals derived from petroleum. Synthetic rubber is one of the major end products manufactured in Texas and contributes significantly to the national production.

Although oil refining is widespread throughout the state, the Houston-Beaumont area hosts one of the largest clusters of refineries in the world. Houston is also renowned for its production of oil-field equipment and other products for the oil industry, including storage containers. Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Galveston manufacture tugs and barges employed in offshore drilling operations. The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, run by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is also located in the area.

The Johnson Space Center in Houston has attracted numerous aerospace industries that require highly skilled experts, with research playing a significant role in its operations. Moving northwards, there is another cluster of manufacturing cities reaching all the way to the Oklahoma border, including Sherman, Denison, Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Temple, Austin, and San Antonio. Dallas serves as a hub for factories manufacturing oil-field equipment, automobiles, and cotton-gin machinery. Additionally, it holds a prominent position as a center for the electronics and aerospace industries. Other noteworthy industries in Dallas encompass cement manufacturing, chemical production, and food processing. Fort Worth emerges as a major contributor to aircraft and helicopter

production within the United States, and it also has a stake in Texas's aerospace industry.

The main center for meat packing in Texas is Fort Worth, while San Antonio is another prominent city in this industrial belt. San Antonio is known for its diversified manufactures such as petroleum products, food products, and portland cement. However, the city's greatest distinction arises from its large Army and Air Force bases, which employ both civilian and military personnel in significant numbers. In addition to the major manufacturing belts, there are several other significant industrial centers including Odessa and Midland in the western Texas petroleum district. These centers focus on activities like oil refining, oil-field equipment manufacturing, and chemical production.

Lubbock is a major hub for cotton trade and marketing, and it is internationally renowned for its cottonseed-oil production. Amarillo, situated in the Panhandle region, is a prominent center for food processing and serves as the commercial epicenter of the area. The state of Texas, blessed with abundant electric power supply, has emerged as a key player in the processing of ores sourced from both domestic and international markets. Notably, El Paso hosts one of the largest copper refineries worldwide, while the sole tin smelter in the United States is situated in Texas City.

Copper is refined in Amarillo, where there is an abundant local supply of natural gas. Corpus Christi is home to zinc-smelting operations and plants that process bauxite into finished aluminum. Texas's extensive but finite supply of natural gas, along with its plentiful lignite reserves, has allowed the state to meet the rising demands for electric power from its growing population and industries. Texas holds the top position among

states in electricity production. In the mid-1990s, approximately 88 percent of the electricity generated in the state was produced by conventional steam power plants fueled by natural gas or coal.

The state of Texas has four nuclear power plants, which generate approximately 11 percent of the electricity produced. These nuclear plants are located at Glen Rose, near Fort Worth, and Bay City, in southeastern Texas. Hydroelectric facilities, on the other hand, contribute less than 1 percent to Texas's overall large electrical generation. Buchanan Dam on the Colorado River, as well as Possum Kingdom Dam and Whitney Dam on the Brazos River, house the state's large hydropower plants. In terms of transportation, Texas boasts a well-developed highway system that covers all parts of the state, with a particularly high concentration in the more densely populated eastern regions.

Texas had the largest highway system in the mid-1990s, with 473,363 km (294,142 mi) of highway. This total included 5204 km (3234 mi) of the federal interstate highway system, which connects major cities with adjacent states and Mexico. In addition to its extensive highway network, Texas also had the most railroad track of any state, with 18,161 km (11,285 mi) in the early 1990s. Over one-third of the goods shipped by rail and originating in Texas were chemicals, while two-fifths were nonmetallic minerals.

Texans have relied on air transportation due to the vast distances between cities. Texas has a total of 1710 airports, including private ones. The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the second busiest in the country, servicing approximately 25 million passengers per year in the early 1990s. Houston also has two airports that are among the busiest in the nation.

Moreover, an intriguing feature of freight transportation in Texas is the extensive utilization of pipelines for oil and natural gas transport.

Since natural gas started being used as a fuel instead of being wasted during petroleum extraction, pipelines have been built to transport it. It is estimated that natural gas from Texas reaches three-quarters of the United States through pipelines. Additionally, pipelines are used to transport crude oil from Texas fields to Gulf Coast refineries and other locations outside of Texas. Refined petroleum products are also transported by pipeline to the interior of the United States. In the early 1960s, one of the most ambitious pipeline projects, measuring about 2480 km (about 1540 mi) in length, was constructed.

The pipeline that brings refinery products from Houston to points in the eastern United States, including Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New York City, is the terminus of the pipeline. Water transportation plays a crucial role in Texas commerce with 13 deepwater ports along the Gulf Coast that have access to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. These ports are also connected to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, a section of the Intracoastal Waterway system. This water route allows barges to travel between Gulf Coast ports, Mississippi River ports, and East Coast ports. Houston is Texas's busiest port and is among the top three ports of the United States.

Corpus Christi, Texas City, Port Arthur, and Beaumont are the next important cities after Houston in Texas. The other deepwater ports in the state include Freeport, Galveston, Harbor Island, Port Lavaca, Brownsville, and Port Isabel in the south, as well as Orange and Sabine Pass near the Louisiana border. Ship canals connect ships to the

ports of Houston and Beaumont since these ports are located inland from the Gulf of Mexico. Victoria, situated on the Guadalupe River, is a significant port for inland waterborne commerce. The majority of the cargo handled by Texas ports is intended for other parts of the United States.

Texas ports handle a significant amount of shipments, including petroleum, petroleum products, and ores such as aluminum. They also export substantial quantities of wheat, sorghum, sulfur, a

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