Oklahoma

Oklahoma (IPA: /ˌoʊ.kləˈhoʊ.mə/) is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With 3,579,212 residents in 2006, it is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state by land area. Its name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning "red people," and is known informally by its nickname, The Sooner State. Formed from Indian Territory on November 16, 1907, it was 46th state to enter the union. Its people are known as Oklahomans, and its capital and largest city is Oklahoma City.

A major producer of oil and food, Oklahoma is an important manufacturer of aircraft parts and a leader in biotechnology. It has one of the fastest growing economies in the nation, leading in gross domestic product growth and ranking third among states in per capita income growth. Nearly 65% of Oklahomans live in the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and the cities serve as primary economic centers of the state. A hotbed for college athletics, Oklahoma hosts three top universities for academic achievement and two that rate among the best college sports programs in history.

Made up of small mountain ranges, prairies, and eastern forests, the state contains more ecological regions per-mile than any other, and is located in one of the most tornado-prone climates in the world. With a prevalence of German and Native American ancestry, more languages are spoken in Oklahoma than on the European Continent. It is partially located in three major cultural regions, once serving as a route for cattle drives, a destination for southern settlers, and a territory for Native Americans. At the heart of a strip of conservative political views and widespread beliefs in Christianity known as the Bible Belt, the state has a roughly even political makeup, with slightly more registered voters in the Democratic Party.