If you’ve ever wondered what states are close to Texas then you’re in the right place.
Texas the Lone Star State is the second largest in the U.S. both in terms of area and population.
The state’s sheer size results in Texas sharing its borders with several other states.
But have you ever really stopped to think about which states are its neighbors?
It might surprise you to learn that Texas has more neighboring states than you initially thought.
Table of Contents
States Surrounding Texas
Located in the south-central region Texas the 28th state in the Union is surrounded by a total of five U.S. states. Notably Oklahoma Arkansas Louisiana and New Mexico are close to Texas geographically and play a critical role in the regional connections and interactions.
The northern border of Texas stretches over 1000 miles it is shared with Oklahoma. To the northeast with a 370-mile border lies Arkansas.
Louisiana is to the east sharing a 367-mile border with Texas. Covering a span of 1254 miles to the west of Texas is New Mexico.
Texas’ Border With Mexico
Beyond the U.S. states Texas shares its southern boundary with four Mexican states- Tamaulipas Nuevo Leon Coahuila and Chihuahua. The Rio Grande River acts as a natural border between Texas and these Mexican states.
Rivers define three of the borders of Texas. The Red River demarcates the boundaries with Oklahoma and Arkansas and the Sabine River outlines the border with Louisiana.
Thus rivers play a crucial role in establishing the geographical boundaries of Texas.
U.S. States Bordering Texas
As the largest state in the south-central region of the U.S. Texas shares its borders with four other U.S. states. These states play a vital role in Texas’ regional dynamics and their proximity lends them a unique connection with the 28th state of the Union.
Framing the northern border of Texas Oklahoma sustains a bond that’s over 1000 miles long. Closely following is New Mexico lying to the west of Texas with the shared frontier stretching over a vast 1254 miles.
On the eastern side Texas is flanked by Louisiana and Arkansas the borders aligning respectively along the Sabine River and the Red River. Louisiana guards a 367-mile border with Texas while Arkansas’ border line extends across 370 miles.
- Oklahoma – north
- New Mexico – west
- Arkansas – northeast
- Louisiana – east
Texas’ Regional Connections
Extended towards the southern frontier of Texas lies a rich cultural interface marked by a series of Mexican states. This line demarcation largely defined by the meandering Rio Grande River bolsters Texas’ regional connections southward.
Nuevo Leon Coahuila Tamaulipas and Chihuahua are all in Mexico and share a border with Texas. The interplay of physical boundaries and regional relations concocts a unique blend of intertwining connections close to Texas.
These relationships are rationalized not only by geographical proximity but by the ebb and flow of historical events long-standing treaties and the continuous exchange of culture commerce and shared resources.
- Nuevo Leon – south
- Coahuila – south
- Tamaulipas – south
- Chihuahua – south
Proximity To Neighboring States
Texas the 28th state is buffered by a number of physical entities on its borders encompassing both states and rivers. Positioned in the south-central region of the United States it has close proximity to multiple territories.
This area plays a crucial role in establishing connections and ensuring regional interactions. A total of five U.S. states and four Mexican states are conveniently close to Texas altogether making it a zone of intense boundary connections.
United States
- Oklahoma: To the north sharing a border of 1000 miles.
- Arkansas: Positioned northeast with a 370-mile border.
- Louisiana: Directly to the east with a 367-mile border.
- New Mexico: At the west sharing a 1254-mile border.
Mexico
- Nuevo Leon Coahuila Tamaulipas Chihuahua: These states are on the other side of the Rio Grande River which forms a significant portion of the Texas-Mexico boundary line.
Importance Of Texas’ Boundary Relations
Considering Texas’s geographical proximity to its neighboring states the importance of these boundary relations comes into play. The boundary lengths indicate the extent and relevance of Texas’s association with its contiguous states.
The interaction and exchange between Texas and these states are strongly influenced by these geographical and border dynamics. Rivers forming three of Texas’s borders play a pivotal role.
They include the Rio Grande with Mexico the Red River with Oklahoma and Arkansas and the Sabine River with Louisiana.
The state’s size and population also make it a significant player in the region covering an area of 695662 sq. km (268596 sq.
miles) and a population of 28995881 (as of 2019). Historically Texas has maintained its distinct territorial boundaries further reinforcing the importance of its boundary relations.
The boundaries as known today were settled in the Compromise of 1850 when Texas gave up its claims on vast territories in return for relief of its public debt.
