A Travel Guide to Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the southern central area of the United States. It lies above Texas on its southern border. The reach of its most north-western arm makes contact with New Mexico and Colorado with Kansas fulfilling the rest of its northern border. The northeast border is muscled in by Missouri with Arkansas completing the neighbourly embrace on the east.
It is a land of lakes, rivers and streams with an abundant area of natural wilderness. Its differing terrains ensure a festive feast of flora and fauna with a rich history embedded into its rugged landscape. The capital of this superlative state is named after the state itself – Oklahoma City and it lies in the most central area of the state offering great transportation networks to the towns and cities that reach towards the borders.
Oklahoma City and its other great city Tulsa that lies to the northeast are wonderful metropolises that offer a host of activities that you would expect of such sprawling cities: Modern architecture that reaches skywards, sparkling in the midday sun and shining like jewels in a crown when the sun sets and the vibrancy of sightseeing tourists changes to late night revellers seeking the hedonistic pleasures of the evening. Both of these cities offer plenty of nightclubs with numerous eating establishments whether it is a great midday snack or end of day chill out in a fine dining restaurant. During the day time there are also plenty of historical repositories with its many museums detailing the culture not only of the European influence but also the native Red Indians that Oklahoma was named after.
Quachita National Forest is located on the borderland and the states of both Arkansas and Oklahoma. It is the oldest forest in this southern area of the United States. Its namesake mountain range provides outstanding scenic views and the Forest is very popular with campers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. This splendour continues further south running into the Kiamichi country that lies in the southeast. Here there are twelve state parks which rivers and streams run into including beautiful lakes that offers great fishing opportunities as well as exploring the recreational waters on a boat, kayak or canoe. The natural backdrops are also the playgrounds of many golfers with many challenging courses available.
For more wildlife diversity, moving southwest, there is a splendid haven for many birds of differing varieties: an ornithological delight with one of the largest concentrations of waterfowl, ducks, geese and cranes. Over 250 species of bird make the National Wildlife Refuge - that lies on the north of the Foss Reservoir, their home. There are also endangered species including the American Bald Eagle, the Whooping Crane and the Interior Least Tern.
There is plenty of self catering vacation rental accommodation available from the rustic log cabins in the Forest and state parks to town houses and apartments in the urban delights of the major cities including the casino areas located to the south in Chickasaw country.
