Texas Almanac 2002-2003

This highly respected Texas resource contains the latest information on such topics as: the natural environment (geology; rivers, lakes, and aquifers; plant and animal life; endangered species; soil types; and weather); demographic data and a detailed road map for each of Texas' 254 counties; lists of state and national parks and historic sites; an astronomical calendar; details of the 2000 elections; names of elected and appointed federal, state, and local government officials; business and transportation statistics; minerals; population; agriculture; health statistics; education; and culture and the arts.The Almanac is the handiest source for such Texas information as the words to the state song, the pledge to the Texas flag, and the text of the Texas Declaration of Independence.Special features in this edition include: a comprehensive study of the routes of the Camino Real -- also called the King's Highway, the Royal Road, and the Old San Antonio Road -- explains where it went and why and why it was designated "royal"; the story behind the recent excavation near Victoria of French explorer La Salle's ill-fated seventeenth-century colony, popularly called Fort St. Louis; the newest population count, done in 2000 by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, including county and town counts, plus an analysis of the numbers by experts at Texas' State Data Center; the little-known story of an offer made by Samuel F. B. Morse, inventor of the telegraph, to officials of the Republic of Texas and what the Republic's surprising response was; how and why Italians and Jews came to the Lone Star State and what they have added to the diverse cultural mix that is Texas; and a list of more than 16,000Texas place names -- expanded from the last edition -- including more than 5,800 existing cities, town and communities, as well as more than 10,000 others that no longer exist.Ramos, Mary G. is the author of 'Texas Almanac 2002-2003' with ISBN 9780914511328 and ISBN 0914511327.