Oklahoma Overview

Oklahoma sits at the crossroads of the Great Plains and the American South, with landscapes that shift from tallgrass prairie and Cross Timbers woodlands to the foothills of the Ozarks. Statehood in 1907 brought together communities shaped by Native nations, railroads, the land runs, and early oil discoveries, and those influences still inform local identity and place names. Today, growth concentrates around the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas, while a network of mid-sized cities and small towns supports agriculture, manufacturing, and energy services.

Economy

The state economy is broad-based, with energy remaining influential alongside aviation and aerospace, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture. Oklahoma’s central location supports distribution and back-office operations, and multiple military installations add stable public-sector employment and contracting activity. In rural counties, cattle and wheat production, food processing, and wind generation often sit alongside oil-and-gas services, creating a mix of cyclical and steady demand for skilled trades. Business growth priorities frequently emphasize affordable power, industrial sites, and workforce alignment between employers and training providers.

Education

Higher education is led by major research institutions in Norman and Stillwater, complemented by regional universities, community colleges, and a nationally recognized CareerTech system. CareerTech centers provide industry credentials in the trades, healthcare, information technology, and industrial maintenance, frequently in partnership with local employers. University research, teaching hospitals, and business incubators contribute to innovation in aerospace, meteorology, energy, and biotechnology, while public K–12 districts anchor community life and athletics across the state.

Culture

Oklahoma culture reflects a strong Native presence and a western heritage that overlaps with a modern creative economy. Powwows, rodeo, and state fairs share the calendar with museum exhibitions, performing arts, and public-art programming in the two largest metros. Foodways blend barbecue, Southern comfort staples, and Indigenous and immigrant influences, while music scenes range from country and red-dirt to jazz and contemporary pop. Historical memory—especially around settlement, oil booms, and civil-rights struggles—continues to shape local storytelling and preservation efforts.

Travel and Entertainment

Travel itineraries commonly combine Route 66 stops, downtown museum districts, and outdoor recreation in parks, lakes, and wildlife refuges. Oklahoma City offers major attractions and a growing central entertainment corridor, while Tulsa pairs Art Deco architecture with riverfront amenities and prominent arts institutions. Away from the metros, state parks, lake towns, and prairie drives deliver practical weekend options for hiking, fishing, and seasonal festivals.