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Oklahoma is located in the Midwestern and Southwestern regions of the United States, and ranks as the
20th largest state in total area by covering 69,903 square miles (181,048 square kilometers or 18,104,794
hectares). Land areas of Oklahoma cover 68,679 square miles (177,878 square kilometers or 17,787,779
hectares), whereas 1,224 square miles (3,170 square kilometers or 317,015 hectares) of Oklahoma are
covered by water. Oklahoma is bordered to the north by Kansas and Colorado, to the south by Texas, to
the east by Missouri and Arkansas, and to the west by New Mexico and Texas.
Much of Oklahoma is comprised primarily of plains, with scattered, low hills and rich soil, and the
land slopes downward to the east. The geography of Oklahoma can be categorized in 10 land regions: the
rocky river valleys of the Ozark Plateau to the northeast, the Prairie Plains, the Ouachita Mountains
of the southeast, the Sandstone Hills to the north, the Arbuckle Mountains in the south-central part of
the state, the Wichita Mountains to the southwest, the Red River Valley along the southern border with
Texas, the Red Beds Plains which make up the largest land region, the Gypsum Hills of the northwest,
and the High Plains of the northwest, including the Oklahoma Panhandle. The Sooner State’s highest
point is Black Mesa, at 4,973 feet (1.5
kilometers) above sea level. Oklahoma’s rivers drain into the Mississippi River. Major rivers in
Oklahoma include the Arkansas, Verdigris, Grand, Illinois, Cimarron, Canadian, North Canadian Washita,
and Red Rivers. Major lakes include Lake Texoma, Eufaula Lake, Lake Hudson, Lake O’ the Cherokees,
Gibson Lake, Oologah Lake, and Keystone Lake.
Oklahoma’s centralized location in North America places it far from the influence of oceanic air
masses, resulting in a continental climate of short, cold winters and long, hot summers. Humid, warm
air from the Gulf of Mexico does influence the southeastern portions of the state. Average temperatures
range from a January high of 37 degrees F (2.8 degrees C) to 82 degrees F (27.8 degrees C) in July.
Sooner State weather is typically dry and sunny, and as with other Plains states, Oklahoma is subject
to drought cycles. Precipitation ranges vary, however, with an average of 15 inches (38.1 centimeters)
in the Panhandle to 50 inches (127 centimeters) to the southeast. Snowfall in Oklahoma City averages
9 inches (23 centimeters) annually, although rainfall is the dominant form of precipitation for winter
in much of the state. Freezing rain does pose a winter risk to travelers. Tornadoes are a particular
threat to the state, with an average of 54 tornadoes a year; spring brings most of the tornadoes, but
they can occur at any time of the year. Generally, however, Oklahoma’s climate is pleasant, and
provides ample opportunities for recreation outdoors.
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