Texas ACLS Certification and Recertification

TEXAS ACLS CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION

About Texas

Texas became the 28th state in 1845. The state capitol of Texas is Austin with a population of 690,252 people (2005 Census). Houston is the largest city in the state, with 2,016,582 people (2005 Census). The total population of Texas is 25,145,561 people (2010 Census). Texas is comprised of 261,797 square miles of Gulf coast plains in the south and east, central plains and gentle hills in the midsection, Great Plains across the panhandle, and low mountains toward the Rocky Mountains in the northwest. The state flower is the bluebonnet. The state bird is the mockingbird. The state insect is the monarch butterfly.

Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle established a French colony near the Matagorda Bay in 1685, but the settlement did not last long. Texas was first explored by Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and Francisco Vasquez de Coronado established the first settlement near El Paso in 1682. In 1821 American explorers such as Stephen Austin began establishing settlements along the Brazos River. This was done while Texas was still under the control of Mexico. After a short war between American settlers in Texas and Mexico’s government, Texas was established as an Independent Republic, and Sam Houston was named president.

This war is known for its battles at the Alamo and San Jacinto. Border disputes led to the Mexican War in 1846-1848. Beginning at its foundation, Texas has utilized the land to its advantage. Texas has always been a large producer of agriculture and livestock. Texas is the leader in the nation in oil, cattle, sheep, cotton, etc. There is a wide variety of crops also produced in the state such as sugar cane, peanuts, hay, fruit and vegetables, etc. Natural resources in the state include salt, asphalt, natural gas, cement, clay, etc. In recent years, industrialization has become more prominent with oil refining, chemicals, machinery, transportation, etc. Over the years, the history of the state, and the continued growth and expansion has led to a great deal of tourist attraction.

Tourism is another vast source of income for the state, topping at over $44 billion per year. There are over 100 state parks and recreation areas, ranging from the coastline to the desert. The Johnson Space Center in Houston is one of the top attractions, where visitors can step into the world of astronauts and space history. The Alamo is another popular site in San Antonio. The sites are as diverse as the people. Prominent historical figures and famous people from Texas include Mary Kay Ash, Gene Autry, George W. Bush, Carol Burnett, Dwight Eisenhower, Howard Hughes, Jack Johnson, Buck Owens, Sandra Day O’Conner, Dan Rather, Rip Torn, and others.