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Oklahoma has 77 counties:
Did you know...Oklahoma fun facts: Oklahoma state animal is the American Bison. The Oklahoma state flag features an Osage warrior’s shield on a blue background. An olive branch and a calumet, or peace pipe, lay across the shield. Surrounding the shield are seven eagle feathers, symbolizing the strength and heritage of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Quapaw and Osage tribes. Crosses, a symbol for stars in Native American art and culture, represent the high ideals and higher purposes of the state’s diverse Native people. The state's name, Oklahoma, was added to the flag in 1941. Our flag, created by Louise Funk Fluke was designed to symbolize “a people united by peace.”
The seal of Oklahoma is circular, with a field of forty-five small stars representing the other states. In the center is, a large, five-pointed star. Each point of the star contains an image from the seal of one of the five tribes, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole. Around the seal is a band bearing the words GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, 1907. Within the star is the basic design of the seal of the Territory of Oklahoma and with the words Labor Omnia Vincit, which means “labor conquers all.” Columbia, a symbol of justice and statehood, stands holding the scales of Oklahoma is known for … Oklahoma's name comes from the Choctaw words okla (people) and humma (red), meaning "red people". Choctaw Nation Chief Allen Wright suggested the name in 1865 during treaty negotiations with the U.S. government. The name was later applied to the western portion of the former Indian Territory when it was created as Oklahoma Territory in 1890. The Oklahoma Land Runs were a series of land giveaways to settlers starting on April 22, 1889, when President Benjamin Harrison authorized the opening of the Unassigned Lands in Indian Territory. An estimated 50,000 men, women and children known as"Boomers" rushed to claim 1.9 million acres, using a starting signal like a gunshot to stake their claims. Those who entered the territory before the official start were called "Sooners," which inspired the state's nickname. These events were part of a broader policy to redistribute land from Native American tribes and led to the rapid growth of Oklahoma's population and new towns. New towns, such as Oklahoma City, Norman, and Guthrie, were established overnight, and about 11,000 homesteads were claimed. Oklahoma's weather is characterized by distinct four seasons, with hot summers, cool and variable winters, and pleasant spring and fall. The state experiences a high frequency of severe weather, including approximately 60 tornadoes per year, but also benefits from around 3,000 hours of sunshine annually. While average annual rainfall is about 32 inches, the state can also be prone to droughts and localized flooding. Located in the heart of Tornado Alley, Oklahoma experiences some mind-blowing tornado statistics. With an average of 56 tornadoes per year, Oklahoma stands as one of the most tornado-prone states in the US. The state holds the record for the largest tornado outbreak in a single day, with a jaw-dropping 115 tornadoes on April 27, 1942. 18 of the April 27 tornados were rated at F2 or greater strength. The strongest tornado ever recorded, an EF5 monster with wind speeds exceeding 300 mph, tore through Oklahoma on May 3, 1999. The state has witnessed 130 EF4 and EF5 tornadoes since 1950, making it home to some of the most powerful twisters. Oklahoma’s tornado season typically peaks in May, with a staggering 83% of all tornadoes occurring during this month. Oklahoma City has experienced the same tornado, or two different tornadoes, on a single day about 26 times. Since 1950, the state of Oklahoma has had about 4,484 tornadoes which have led to around 348 deaths and 5,300 injuries.
Oklahoma has more than 200 man-made lakes, more than any other state in the U.S., which contribute to its extensive shoreline. The state also has a small number of natural lakes, including sixty-two oxbow lakes. Oklahoma has 38 state parks, offering visitors various outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and boating. Overseen by the State Parks Division within the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD), these parks feature different types of environments, from lakeside recreation to forested hills and even caverns. There are 38 federally recognized Indian nations in Oklahoma. The state has the largest Native population of any state in the U.S. and is considered "Indian Country" due to its large number of distinct and sovereign tribal governments. The Five Civilized Tribes are the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole are among the most well-known tribes, many of whom were forcibly relocated to the area now known as Oklahoma. The largest Indian tribe in Oklahoma is the Cherokee Nation, which has over 450,000 tribal citizens worldwide. It is also the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States. The Cherokee Nation's government is based in Tahlequah, Oklahoma The Modoc Nation is the smallest federally recognized tribe in Oklahoma by population, with 356 members in 2025. They were removed to Indian Territory after the Modoc War and eventually gained federal recognition in Oklahoma in 1978. Oklahoma is home to the professional basketball team and National Champions, The Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma is home to a variety of famous professional celebrities including actors like Brad Pitt, Bill Hader, and Alfre Woodard; musicians such as Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Garth Brooks, Tobey Keith, Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood; and other public figures like Chuck Norris and Dr. Phill. Other notable figures include actors Kristen Chenoweth, James Garner, and Ron Howard, and athletes like Blake Griffin. Oklahoma City will host canoe slalom and softball competitions during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, marking the first time the state hosts Olympic events. The events will take place at the Riversport OKC whitewater course and Devon Park, leveraging existing world-class venues to align with the LA28 organizers' goal of a sustainable and cost-effective Games. National chains originating in Oklahoma include the drive-in restaurant chain Sonic, the craft and hobby store Hobby Lobby, the fast-food chain Mazzio's, the convenience store and gas station network Love's Travel Stops, the dairy and grocery stores Braum's, and the gas station and convenience store company QuikTrip. Restaurants & Food Service Retail & Convenience Oklahoma is the birthplace of theshopping cart (Sylvan Goldman), the parking meter (Carl Magee), and the yield sign (Clinton Riggs), all of which were introduced in the state in the 1930s and 1950s. Other innovations include the first personal computer (Ed Roberts), the modern flight suit and autopilot (Wiley Post), and significant advancements in voicemail technology (Gordon Matthews). The state is also responsible for the bread twist tie and was the site of the first Girl Scout cookies, with the first restaurant for the Sonic drive-in chain also originating in Oklahoma. Key Inventions and Their Oklahoma Connection Shopping Cart: The shopping cart was invented in Ardmore, Oklahoma, by Sylvan Goldman to make grocery shopping easier, starting in the mid-1930s. Parking Meter: The world's first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City in 1935 to manage parking congestion, invented by Carl Magee. Yield Sign: The first Yield sign was designed by Tulsa police officer Clinton Riggs and installed in 1950. Personal Computer: The MITS Altair, the first inexpensive personal computer, was created by Oklahoma State University graduate Ed Roberts, inspiring Bill Gates. Flight Suit and Autopilot: Wiley Post, an Oklahoman aviator, invented the modern flight suit and the autopilot. Voicemail: The technology that forms the basis of modern voicemail was developed by Gordon Matthews, who was born in Tulsa. Bread Twist Tie: This everyday item was invented in Maysville, Oklahoma. Girl Scout Cookies: The very first Girl Scout cookies were made by girls in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Oklahoma's central location and extensive mileage (over 400 miles) earned it the nickname "The Heart of Route 66". Unique Oklahoma Landmarks The Arcadia Round Barn: Built in 1898, this historic barn is a unique architectural and community landmark. Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park: Located in Foyil, this park features native folk art created in 1937, including impressive totem poles. The Blue Whale of Catoosa An example of automobile-scale folk art, this iconic structure is a popular roadside attraction. Coleman Theater in Miami: Established in 1929, this historic theater has hosted live music and cinema for decades. Rock Café: A 1939 sandstone building in Stroud that holds local memorabilia and was a research site for the animated film Cars. Will Rogers Connection The Will Rogers Highway Route 66 is unofficially known as the Will Rogers Highway, honoring Oklahoma's beloved comedian and writer, Will Rogers. Will Rogers Memorial Museum: Located near Rogers' birthplace, the museum is a large complex dedicated to his life and legacy.
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justice. Top ray displays the seal of the Chickasaw Nation with an Indian warrior holding a bow and shield. The upper left ray shows the seal of the Cherokee Nation - a seven-pointed star bearing a wreath of oak leaves. Upper right ray is the emblem of the Choctaw Nation, composed of a tomahawk, a bow, and three crossed arrows. The lower right ray is the seal of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation featuring a plow and a sheaf of wheat, symbolizes the Nation's agricultural prosperity in Indian Territory after being relocated from the Southeast. And the lower right is the seal of the Seminole Nation a depiction of a plumed tribesman paddling a canoe to a village with a trading house (factory) by a lake, symbolizing the tribe's early customs of gathering herbs and roots for trade and their connection to the land. 