Oklahoma (OK) is located in the southern part of the USA, the state is known for its rich history and Native American culture, which is commemorated by a number of tourist attractions. Oklahoma’s economy is driven by oil and gas production, supplemented by agriculture, especially cattle ranching. The capital and largest city is Oklahoma City. In July 1935, the world’s first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City at the corner of First Street and Robinson Avenue.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Oklahoma Abbreviation OK Capital Oklahoma City Largest city Oklahoma City (Population: 702 767) Current time 11:13 Time zone CST (UTC-6), the state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) Population 3,959,411 (#28 most populous US state) Area 69,899 mi² (#20 largest US state) Admitted to the Union November 16, 1907 (#46 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Oklahoma
The capital of the state of Oklahoma is Oklahoma City. The city was founded in 1889 during the Oklahoma Land Races, when anyone could take land purchased by the USA government from Indian tribes. All they had to do was mark the land, and then they owned it. Oklahoma City became the capital by a referendum in 1910. Prior to that, Guthrie served as the capital.
🏙️ Largest City in Oklahoma
The largest city in Oklahoma is Oklahoma City, with a population of 702,767 in 2023. The second largest city is Tulsa with a population of 411,894 and the third largest city, Norman, has a population of 130,046.
🕒 Time in Oklahoma
The current time in Oklahoma is 11:13. Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) is observed throughout the state, with a change to Daylight Saving Time (UTC-5) between March and November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Oklahoma
As of 2023, Oklahoma had a population of 3,959,411, making the state the 28th most populous in the USA at that time.
📍 Area of Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s total area is 69,899 mi², of which 68,595 mi² is land and 1,304 mi² is water. Oklahoma is the 20th largest US state.
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Fun Facts About Oklahoma
🧩 Oklahoma Neighboring States
Oklahoma is bordered by six American states. New Mexico and Colorado to the west, Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northeast, Arkansas to the east, and Texas to the south.
📅 Date of Oklahoma Statehood
Oklahoma was admitted to the Union on November 16, 1907, as the 46th state, formed from the Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory.
📛 Nickname of the State of Oklahoma
The official nickname “Sooner State” refers to settlers who laid claim to land originally belonging to Native Americans in the late 19th century. The term “Sooners” was used lightly to refer to these settlers.
Another nickname in use, “Native America,” refers to the state’s history closely tied to the original inhabitants of North America. Oklahoma is one of the US states with the largest number of Native American tribes. “Native America” is found on the license plates of cars registered in Oklahoma.
Another nickname in use, “Land of the Red Man”, has a similar meaning. The name Oklahoma comes from the Choctaw Indian language and translates to “Land of the Red Man”. The nickname thus essentially explains the state’s native name.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s highest mountain is Black Mesa, at 4,975 ft, near the border with Colorado and New Mexico. The name indicates that it is a table mountain.
🏞️ Rivers in Oklahoma
The longest river in Oklahoma is the Arkansas River, with a total length of flow through all states 1,469 mi. It is followed by the Red River (1,361 mi), Canadian River (906 mi), Cimarron River (698 mi), and Neosho River (463 mi).
🎓 Universities in Oklahoma
The largest university in the state, with approximately 28,500 students, is the University of Oklahoma, founded in 1890 in Norman. In second place is the Oklahoma State University from the city of Stillwater with 24.5 thousand students and in third place is the University of Central Oklahoma from the city of Edmond with 15 thousand students.
✉️ Oklahoma ZIP Codes
The state of Oklahoma has dedicated ZIP codes in the range of 730xx-731xx, 734xx-741xx and 743xx-749xx, the specific one can be traced by address on the USPS website. For a map of the codes and more information, see the ZIP Codes in the USA article.
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Weather in Oklahoma
The best time of year to visit Oklahoma is late spring or early fall, when temperatures are pleasant and tourist attractions are open.
Spring in Oklahoma tends to be marked by slowly rising temperatures. In March, temperatures are around 45°F to 59°F, while in May they are around 64°F to 77°F. Strong thunderstorms and dangerous tornadoes are typical for the spring months, with May being the rainiest month.
Summers in Oklahoma are hot and dry, with temperatures typically exceeding 86°F. In July and August, tropical days are no exception, with temperatures reaching up to 100°F. Compared to spring, there is less rain, but torrential rain accompanied by heavy thunderstorms can occur from time to time.
Fall in Oklahoma brings cooler temperatures of 63°F to 73°F. Rain showers are common, especially in September, and thunderstorms may occur along with them.
Winter in Oklahoma is mild, with temperatures around 41°F during the day, but can drop below freezing at night. Snowfall is infrequent, with only 5 cm to 10 cm snowfall during the entire winter season.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Oklahoma
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Things to Do in Oklahoma
1️⃣ Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
The National Memorial and Museum in Oklahoma City commemorates the victims of the April 19, 1995 bombing that killed at least 168 people and injured about seven hundred. The site features an outdoor memorial with 168 empty chairs, each belonging to one victim of the terrorist attack.
Visitors to the museum can see an interactive exhibition that will give them an insight into the events before and after the attack, which includes personal stories from survivors and rescue workers.
2️⃣ Beavers Bend State Park
Located in the southeastern part of the state near the Arkansas border, Beavers Bend State Park is known for its scenic landscape with dense forests, mountains and the Mountain Fork River. The park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing and canoeing. A popular summer attraction is Broken Bow Lake, where you can swim or just relax by the water.
3️⃣ National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is one of the most interesting places dedicated to the history and culture of the Wild West. The museum displays extensive collections of art and historical objects that document the lives of Native Americans, cowboys and settlers. An interesting exhibit is a replica of a historic western town.
4️⃣ Route 66
Oklahoma is home to one of the longest surviving stretches of historic Route 66, nicknamed the “Mother of Roads.” The total length of the Oklahoma section of the highway is 374.6 mi, the western end is at the Texas border near the town of Sayre, and the eastern end of the highway is at the Kansas border near the town of Baxter Springs.
The most interesting attraction along the route is the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, which displays historic photos, cars, and other items related to the highway.
5️⃣ Fort Gibson Historic Site
Fort Gibson is one of the oldest military forts in Oklahoma, located in the eastern part of the state near the city of Muskogee. Built in 1824, the fort played a significant role in the settlement of the American West, serving as a strategic point during the Indian Wars. Visitors can see the restored barracks and officers’ houses.
6️⃣ Oklahoma Aquarium
The Oklahoma Aquarium is the largest marine world in the state, located in Jenks just a few miles south of Tulsa. The aquarium is home to more than 10,000 animals of more than 500 species, including sharks, pygmy waves, and fish found in Oklahoma’s rivers. A popular attraction is the large Sea Turtle Island tank, where visitors can view sea turtles in their natural habitat through transparent glass.
7️⃣ Turner Falls Park
Turner Falls Park is located south of Oklahoma City, and is known for its 77.0 ft high waterfall, which is the tallest in the state. There are several hiking trails in the park, and especially in the summer months, the opportunity to take a dip in the stream or lake directly below the waterfall brings welcome refreshment.
8️⃣ Robbers Cave State Park
Robbers Cave State Park is located in the Sans Bois Mountains in eastern Oklahoma. It is known for its picturesque caves, which served as a hiding place for outlaws Jesse James and Bella Starr in the 19th century. The caves are open to the public, and visitors can hike, fish or rock climb on one of the trails.
9️⃣ Philbrook Museum of Art
The Philbrook Museum of Art is one of Oklahoma’s premier art galleries, unique in its setting. The museum is housed in a beautiful 1920s Italianate villa surrounded by expansive gardens. The museum’s collection consists largely of European, American, Asian and Native American art. Among the artists represented are Taddeo di Bartolo, Carlo Crivelli and Biagio d’Antonio.
🔟 The Blue Whale of Catoosa
A reminder of the legendary Route 66 lies just off the town of Catoosa, a giant blue whale located on the edge of a small lake. Built here in the early 1970s as an attraction for family picnics, it quickly became a popular stop for tourists and photographers alike.
Children and adults can look inside the whale and enjoy a picnic on the adjacent rest area. The whale is one of the quirky and time-worn attractions along Route 66.
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Largest Cities in Oklahoma
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Oklahoma in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose primary function is to count the population.
City County Population 1 Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Canadian, Cleveland, Pottawatomie 702,767 Map of Oklahoma City 2 Tulsa Osage, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner 411,894 Map of Tulsa 3 Norman Cleveland 130,046 Map of Norman 4 Broken Arrow Tulsa, Wagoner 119,194 Map of Broken Arrow 5 Edmond Oklahoma 98,103 Map of Edmond 6 Lawton Comanche 90,245 Map of Lawton 7 Moore Cleveland 63,470 Map of Moore 8 Midwest City Oklahoma 58,086 Map of Midwest City 9 Enid Garfield 50,577 Map of Enid 10 Stillwater Payne 49,525 Map of Stillwater -
Sports Teams in Oklahoma
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
There are no teams in Oklahoma that play in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Oklahoma is not represented in the NFL, the American football league.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Since the 2008 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have played NBA basketball as part of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City; the club colors are blue, orange, yellow, and navy blue. The team moved to Oklahoma City from Washington, D.C., where it played as the Seattle SuperSonics since the 1967 season.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
No team from Oklahoma plays in the MLB league.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no team from Oklahoma in the MLS.
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Oklahoma State Symbols
Oklahoma has a variety of official and unofficial symbols, below are some of them.
State Flag of Oklahoma
Oklahoma adopted its first flag in 1911, four years after joining the Union. The current design of the flag, in effect since 2006, takes the form of an Osage war shield with six crosses and seven suspended eagle feathers. All are placed by a field of sky blue and complemented by the white lettering Oklahoma.
Interestingly, the original flag was changed in 1925 because it reminded residents of the communist symbol. At that time, it was a white five-pointed star with the number 46 placed in a red rectangle.
Great Seal of Oklahoma
The seal was adopted as part of the Oklahoma Constitution in 1905, but did not become official until after the state entered the Union in 1907. The state seal was used to authenticate documents issued by the Oklahoma government. The main motif of the seal is a star with five points and the symbols of the five native tribes: the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. The motif is complemented by 45 white stars in a blue circle, representing the 45 states that entered the Union before Oklahoma.
State Mammal
In 1972, the bison became the official mammal, symbolizing Oklahoma’s strength, endurance and freedom. One of the most iconic animals in all of America, it also has deep meaning for Native American tribes.
State Song
Since 1953, the official national anthem has been Oklahoma! from the Broadway musical of the same name. The music and lyrics were written by the duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
State Bird
Since 1951, the state bird has been the scissor-tailed flycatcher (Muscivora forficata), which can be seen in Oklahoma especially during the spring and summer months. School children, with the support of ornithologists, have been instrumental in getting it recognized as the state symbol. The bird is known for its long tail and graceful flight, which is meant to symbolize the beauty of Oklahoma.
State Tree
The state tree was chosen to be the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), which is one of Oklahoma’s native plants and commonly grows to a height of 20 ft to 30 ft. The tree is characterized by its distinctive pink or purple flowers that grace the landscape across the state in spring.
State Reptile
Since 1969, the state reptile has been the common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris), found primarily in rocky areas of Oklahoma and known for its bright colors. A special feature of this lizard is its ability to run on only two hind legs, which helps it develop speeds of up to 15 mph.
State Insect
In 1992, the law recognized the honey bee (Apis mellifera) as the state insect, symbolizing the diligence, cooperation, and community of Oklahomans. Passage of the law was the result of an initiative by school children and beekeeping organizations.
State Fossil
Since 2000, an interesting symbol of Oklahoma has been the skeletal remains of the saurophaganax, a dinosaur about 150-155 million years old that is thought to have reached lengths of 33 ft to 39 ft. Fossils of the giant dinosaur were only found near Kenton, Oklahoma, and are now on display at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.
State Stone
The symbol of Oklahoma since 1968 has been the desert rose, a complex formation made up of clusters of barite and sand crystals. Desert rose deposits are found in western and central Oklahoma, where there used to be a shallow sea when it was formed 250 million years ago. As the sea receded over time, barite precipitated out of the water and crystallized around grains of quartz sand.
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