100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Oklahoma (OK) sits in the southern United States, known for its deep Native American history and culture that many attractions highlight. Oklahoma’s economy is driven by oil and natural gas, supported by agriculture and especially cattle ranching. The capital and largest city is Oklahoma City. In July 1935, the world’s first parking meter was put into operation 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 7:48 Time zone CST (UTC-6), the state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) Population 3,959,411 (#28 most populous US state) Area 69,898.84 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 Runs, when anyone could claim land that the U.S. government had purchased from Native American tribes. All it took was to mark the plot, then it became the claimant’s property. Oklahoma City became the capital based on a decision approved by referendum in 1910. Before that, Guthrie served as the capital.
🏙️ Largest City in Oklahoma
The largest city in Oklahoma is Oklahoma City, home to 702,767 people in 2023. Tulsa ranks second with a population of 411,894, and the third largest city, Norman, has 130,046 residents.
🕒 Time in Oklahoma
The current time in Oklahoma is 7:48. The entire state observes Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6), with Daylight Saving Time (CDT, UTC-5) from March through November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Oklahoma
According to 2023 data, Oklahoma had 3,959,411 residents, which made it the 28th most populous U.S. state at the time.
📍 Area of Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s total area is 69,898.84 mi², of which 68,594.59 mi² is land and 1,303.86 mi² is water. Oklahoma is the 20th largest U.S. state.
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Fun Facts about Oklahoma
🧩 Which States Border Oklahoma
Oklahoma borders six U.S. states. To the west are New Mexico and Colorado, to the north is Kansas, to the northeast Missouri, to the east Arkansas, and to the south Texas.
📅 Date of Oklahoma Statehood
Oklahoma was admitted to the Union on November 16, 1907 as the 46th state, formed from Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory.
📛 Oklahoma State Nickname
The official nickname, “Sooner State,” refers to settlers who staked claims to land that originally belonged to Native Americans in the late 19th century. The term “Sooners” was used for these settlers as a mildly derogatory label.
Another common nickname, “Native America,” points to the state’s history closely tied to the Indigenous peoples of North America. Oklahoma is among the U.S. states with the highest number of Native tribes. “Native America” appears on license plates of vehicles registered in Oklahoma.
A similar meaning lies behind the nickname “Land of the Red Man.” The name Oklahoma comes from the Choctaw language and translates as “land of the red man.” The nickname essentially explains the state’s Native name.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s highest point is Black Mesa at 4,975.00 ft, located near the borders with Colorado and New Mexico. As the name suggests, it is a mesa, a flat-topped mountain.
🏞️ Rivers in Oklahoma
The longest river in Oklahoma is the Arkansas River, with a total length across all states of 1,468.92 mi. It is followed by the Red River (1,360.80 mi), the Canadian River (905.96 mi), the Cimarron River (697.80 mi), and the Neosho River (462.92 mi).
🎓 Universities in Oklahoma
The largest university in the state is the University of Oklahoma in Norman, founded in 1890, with approximately 28,500 students. In second place is Oklahoma State University in Stillwater with 24,500 students, and third is the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, which enrolls 15,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is assigned ZIP codes in the ranges 730xx-731xx, 734xx-741xx, and 743xx-749xx. You can look up a specific code by address on the USPS website. A map of the codes and more details can be found in the article ZIP Codes in the USA.
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Weather in Oklahoma
The best time to visit Oklahoma is late spring or early fall, when temperatures are pleasant and attractions are open.
Spring in Oklahoma usually brings gradually rising temperatures. In March, temperatures run around 45 °F to 59 °F, and by May they are about 64 °F to 77 °F. Strong thunderstorms and dangerous tornadoes are typical for spring months, and May is the rainiest month.
Summer in Oklahoma is hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 86 °F. In July and August, triple-digit heat days are not unusual, with highs reaching up to 100 °F. Compared to spring, rainfall is lower, although occasional downpours with strong storms can occur.
Fall in Oklahoma brings a cool-down to 63 °F to 73 °F. Showers are common, and especially in September they can be accompanied by thunderstorms.
Winter in Oklahoma is mild, with daytime temperatures around 41 °F, and nighttime lows can drop below freezing. Snowfall is not frequent, and over the whole winter season totals only 1.97 in to 3.94 in.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Oklahoma
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What to See in Oklahoma
1️⃣ Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum honors the victims of the bombing on April 19, 1995, in which at least 168 people were killed and about seven hundred were injured. The site features an outdoor memorial with 168 empty chairs, each dedicated to one victim of the terrorist attack.
Inside the museum, visitors can explore an interactive exhibition that explains the events before and after the attack and includes personal stories of survivors and first responders.
2️⃣ Beavers Bend State Park
Beavers Bend State Park lies in the southeast near the Arkansas border, known for its scenic landscape of dense forests, mountains, and the Mountain Fork River. The park offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and canoeing. A favorite summer spot is Broken Bow Lake, where you can swim or simply relax by the water.
3️⃣ National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City ranks among the most interesting places dedicated to the history and culture of the American West. The museum showcases extensive collections of art and historical artifacts that document the lives of Native Americans, cowboys, and settlers. A notable exhibit is the replica of a historic Western town.
4️⃣ Route 66
Oklahoma contains one of the longest preserved segments of historic Route 66, often called the “Mother Road.” The Oklahoma stretch totals 374.6 mi. Its western end sits at the Texas border near Sayre, and the eastern end is at the Kansas border near Baxter Springs.
One of the most interesting stops along the way is the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, which displays historic photos, cars, and other highway-related artifacts.
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 Muskogee. Built in 1824, it played a major role in the settlement of the American West and served as a strategic point during the Indian Wars. Visitors can tour reconstructed barracks and officers’ quarters.
6️⃣ Oklahoma Aquarium
Oklahoma Aquarium is the largest marine attraction in the state, located in Jenks just a few kilometers south of Tulsa. The aquarium houses more than 10,000 animals of over 500 species, including sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and fish native to Oklahoma rivers. A popular highlight is the large Sea Turtle Island tank, where visitors can watch sea turtles through transparent glass in their natural-like habitat.
7️⃣ Turner Falls Park
Turner Falls Park lies south of Oklahoma City and is known for its waterfall rising 77.0 ft, the highest in the state. The park features several hiking trails, and in the summer months you can cool off by swimming in the creek or the pool right below the falls.
8️⃣ Robbers Cave State Park
Robbers Cave State Park lies in the Sans Bois Mountains in eastern Oklahoma. It is famous for its picturesque caves, which in the 19th century served as hideouts for outlaws Jesse James and Belle Starr. The caves are open to the public, and visitors can hike, fish, or go rock climbing.
9️⃣ Philbrook Museum of Art
The Philbrook Museum of Art is one of Oklahoma’s most important art museums and stands out for its setting. The museum is housed in a beautiful Italianate villa from the 1920s surrounded by expansive gardens. Its collection largely features European, American, Asian, and Native art. Artists represented include Taddeo di Bartolo, Carlo Crivelli, and Biagio d’Antonio.
🔟 The Blue Whale of Catoosa
A nostalgic Route 66 landmark sits right by the highway near Catoosa, a giant blue whale placed at the edge of a pond. It was built in the early 1970s as a feature for family picnics and quickly became a favorite stop for travelers and photographers.
Kids and adults can step inside the whale and enjoy a picnic at the adjacent rest area. The whale is one of the quirky, timeworn attractions along Route 66.
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Largest Cities in Oklahoma
The table lists the ten largest cities in the State of Oklahoma in 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary responsibility is the national census.
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
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
There is no NHL team based in Oklahoma.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Oklahoma has no team in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Since the 2008 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have played in the NBA as part of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference. The team plays home games at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, and its colors are blue, orange, yellow, and navy. The franchise relocated to Oklahoma from Washington State, where it had played since 1967 as the Seattle SuperSonics.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
No team from Oklahoma plays in MLB.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no MLS team from Oklahoma.
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Oklahoma State Symbols
Oklahoma has a range of official and unofficial symbols, and some of them are listed below.
Flag of Oklahoma
Oklahoma adopted its first flag in 1911, four years after joining the Union. The current design has been in place since 2006. It features an Osage war shield with six crosses and seven suspended eagle feathers. The elements appear on a field of sky blue with the white word Oklahoma.
An interesting note, the original flag was changed in 1925 because residents felt it resembled a communist symbol. It had a white five-pointed star with the number 46 set inside a red rectangle.
Seal of Oklahoma
The seal was adopted as part of the Oklahoma Constitution in 1905, but it became official after statehood in 1907. The state seal was used to certify documents issued by the government of Oklahoma. Its central motif is a five-pointed star with symbols of the Five Civilized Tribes: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. The design is ringed 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 state mammal, symbolizing Oklahoma’s strength, endurance, and freedom. This iconic American animal also holds deep significance for Native tribes.
State Song
Since 1953, the official song has been Oklahoma! from the Broadway musical of the same name. The music and lyrics were written by 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 mainly in spring and summer. Schoolchildren, with support from ornithologists, helped secure its designation. The bird is known for its long tail and graceful flight, meant to symbolize the beauty of Oklahoma.
State Tree
The state tree is the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), native to Oklahoma, which commonly grows to heights of 19.69 ft to 29.53 ft. The tree is marked by striking pink or purple blossoms that brighten the landscape statewide in spring.
State Reptile
Since 1969, the state reptile has been the collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris), found mainly in Oklahoma’s rocky areas and known for its vivid colors. A distinctive trait of this lizard is its ability to run on only its two hind legs, which helps it reach speeds up to 14.91 mph.
State Insect
In 1992, the honey bee (Apis mellifera) was recognized as the state insect, symbolizing the diligence, cooperation, and community spirit of Oklahomans. The law’s adoption resulted from initiatives by schoolchildren and beekeeping organizations.
State Fossil
An unusual state symbol, recognized in 2000, is the fossil remains of Saurophaganax, a dinosaur about 150 to 155 million years old that reached lengths of 32.81 ft to 39.37 ft. Fossils of this giant dinosaur have been found only near the town of Kenton in Oklahoma and are now displayed at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.
State Rock
Since 1968, Oklahoma’s state rock has been the desert rose, a complex formation made of clusters of barite crystals and sand. Deposits are found in western and central Oklahoma, where a shallow sea existed 250 million years ago. As the sea retreated over time, barite precipitated from the water and crystallized around grains of quartz sand.
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