Travel Information for Oklahoma
Posted By:
Floyd Zamarripa
on 31 January, 2007
Located in America's heartland is the great state of Oklahoma, renowned for its American Indian heritage and state parks. The state is considered "Native America" by many, as the state has the third largest American Indian population. Travelers come from across the nation to see this wonderful state filled with art and culture.
Oklahoma has a fairly extensive history that is incredibly varied. Before becoming a state, the area was known for Indian relocation. The Five Tribes were relocated over a period of time to Oklahoma through what is now known as The Trail of Tears. This all began in 1830 when Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act. Land runs and oil booms led the territory to become a state in 1907. During the height of the Great Depression, poor farming and droughts caused the Dust Bowl, a series of massive dust storms that destroyed many farms. In 1995, one of the largest acts of terrorism committed in the United States occurred with the Oklahoma City bombing. 168 people died in the blast, a national memorial is in the building's place today.
The state has had an incredible affect on popular culture and the arts of the United States. The Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to John Steinbeck for his 1939 epic that follows a family of "Okies" during the Dust Bowl. Photographs of the area by famed photographer Dorothea Lange humanized the Depression for many Americans. The famous musical Oklahoma! has been popular throughout the nation for years, and the state even took on the title song as its state song.
The state loves to emphasize local and regional Native American heritage through celebrations and events. Various pow-wows and the Tsa-La-Gi village are some of the most notable. These cultural programs are offered throughout the year for travelers to experience. Other ethnic celebrations may include the Greek Holiday in Tulsa, as well as the German Oktoberfest. Of recent popularity, travelers will find a number of Italian festivals in the Krebs and McAlester areas.
Oklahoma City is the largest city in the state, with a population of approximately 523,000 people. Twice that can be found in the general metropolitan area surrounding the city limits, making it the 47th largest metro area in the United States. It is the general hub of the arts and entertainment cultures of Oklahoma. The oldest zoo in the southwestern US can also be found in Oklahoma City, the Zoological Park.
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