The name Oklahoma comes from the Choctaw phrase okla humma, literally meaning red people. Oklahoma is the nation's second-largest producer of natural gas, fifth-largest producer of crude oil, and has the second-greatest number of active drilling rigs, and ranks fifth in crude oil reserves.
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.
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, English, Scottish 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.
The Oklahoma horse industry produces goods and services valued at $766 million. The national industry has a $1.2 billion impact on the Oklahoma economy when the multiplier effect of spending by industry suppliers and employees is taken into account. Accounting for off-site spending of spectators would result in an even higher figure.
117,900 Oklahomans are involved in the industry as horse owners, service providers, employees, and volunteers. Even more participate as spectators. The Oklahoma horse industry directly provides 12,400 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. Spending by suppliers and employees (in Oklahoma and other states) generates additional jobs in Oklahoma for a total employment impact of 31,600.
There are 249,100 horses in Oklahoma, over 70 percent of which are involved in showing and recreation.
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