Proper noun

Singular Oklahoma

Plural -

Oklahoma

1. A state of the United States of America. Capital and largest city: Oklahoma City.
2. A county in the State of Oklahoma.

Derived terms

• OK
• Oklahoman

Oklahoma ( /ˌoʊkləˈhoʊmə/ (help·info)) is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,617,316 residents in 2007 and a land area of 68,667 square miles (177,847 km²), Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state. The state's name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning "red people", and is known informally by its nickname, The Sooner State. Formed by the combination of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory on November 16, 1907, Oklahoma was the 46th state to enter the union. Its residents are known as Oklahomans, and its capital and largest city is Oklahoma City.

A major producer of natural gas, oil and agriculture, Oklahoma relies on an economic base of aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology. It has one of the fastest growing economies in the nation, ranking among the top states in per capita income growth and gross domestic product growth. Oklahoma City and Tulsa serve as Oklahoma's primary economic anchors, with nearly 60 percent of Oklahomans living in their metropolitan statistical areas. The state holds a mixed record in education and healthcare, and its largest universities participate in the NCAA and NAIA athletic associations, with two collegiate athletic departments rated among the most successful in American history.

With small mountain ranges, prairie, and eastern forests, most of Oklahoma lies in the Great Plains and the U.S. Interior Highlands—a region especially prone to severe weather. In addition to having a prevalence of German, Irish, British and Native American ancestry, more than 25 Native American languages are spoken in Oklahoma, the most of any state. It is located on a confluence of three major American cultural regions and historically served as a route for cattle drives, a destination for southern settlers, and a government-sanctioned territory for Native Americans. Part of the Bible Belt, widespread belief in evangelical Christianity makes it one of the most politically conservative states, though Oklahoma has more voters registered with the Democratic Party than with any other party.

Oklahoma is a state located in the south-central region of the United States. Its nickname is the "Sooner State", and is part of a region commonly known as the American "Heartland." Oklahoma City is the state's capital and largest city. The Congressional Quarterly and Census report places Oklahoma in the Southern United States. Oklahoma became the 46th state in the Union on November 16th, 1907. Its residents are often called Okies.

Many displaced Oklahomans have expressed their desire to return to Oklahoma in song:

• For the musical, see Oklahoma!
• For the musical 1955 film, see Oklahoma (1955 film)

Sourced

• You can call me what you want to But Okie is okay with me.
  • Zeke Clements, Oklahoma Blues

• Going home to Oklahoma. Yes I am. Here's my train coming now I homeward bound. Yes, I'm going home today And I expect to stay.
  • Spade Cooley, All Aboard for Oklahoma

• Got my ticket in my hand Gonna cross a lot of sand. Oklahoma here I come!
  • Paul Westmoreland, Oklahoma Bound

• Bought a round-trip ride today, Throwed the come-back part away. Oklahoma's dear to me.
  • Paul Westmoreland, Oklahoma Bound

• Oh, howl away you wild coyote, I hear your sad, your lonesome song. It's calling me to Oklahoma Back to those hills where I belong.
  • Jack Guthrie/Woody Guthrie, Oklahoma's Calling

• Let me hear a coyote howl, Or a lonesome hound dog bay. Back to the heart of those lonesome hills I'm gonna be some day. For Oklahoma I'm yearning.
  • Jack Guthrie/Wava White, For Oklahoma, I'm Yearning

• I'm gona settle down When I reach that city fair. I'm homeward bound And I Know I'll soom be there Where tall corn grows, And the black oil flows, In old O-K-L-A.
  • Jimmie Hall/Leon McAuliffe, Tulsa Straight Ahead

• I want to go back to Oklahoma. I'm happy there Living next to the soil.
  • Billy Hughes, Next to the Soil

From Wikiquote under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Thu Dec 10 15:33:05 2009