text:
Tetovo

Tetovo (Macedonian: Тетово, Albanian: Tetovë) is a town tucked into Polog region in the northwestern corner of western North Macedonia, in the shadow of the Šar Mountains. The major city of the Polog region, it has about 53,000 people, making it the fifth-largest city in North Macedonia. The Municipality of Tetovo, which includes 18 villages, has a population of over 86,000. Tetovo is a multi-ethnic city in which Albanians form a majority. This has led to some tensions, most recently in the early 2000s, when violence broke out. However, the situation has been calm for years now. Tetovo, its unique Ottoman monuments, and its cuisine should be a part of any trip to northwestern North Macedonia.

Understand
The population of Tetovo is majority ethnic Albanian, with a minority of Macedonians and others. While the city is often known as the unofficial capital of the Albanians of North Macedonia, and expressions of Albanian national pride, in the form of flag waving from houses and cars and graffiti depicting the map of the "Greater Albania", are common, this is by no means an exclusively Albanian city, and referring to it as such will offend the non-Albanian residents, particularly the ethnic Macedonians — and you can never know who you have been talking to.

The Roman alphabet, in which the Albanian language is written, dominates throughout the city, while Cyrillic signage can be seen on one of the main streets, which is probably the part of the city where the Macedonian community gathers.

Travellers will be rewarded with local hospitality and beautiful scenery in Tetovo.

History
Although there may have been inhabitants in Tetovo's area as early as the Bronze Age, Tetovo was mentioned for the first time in the beginning of 13th century as a small medieval Orthodox settlement around the Holy Mother of God Church in the upper part of town.

At the end of the 14th century, Tetovo, along with all of Macedonia, fell under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. As the Muslim population in Macedonia began to expand in the early Ottoman period, mosques, baths, and markets began to appear as early as the 15th century. Tetovo under Ottoman tutelage became an important trade center for the local farmers and craftsmen, as well as an important military fortification. Turkish influence deeply impacted Tetovo and it was renamed Kalkandelen (Turkish for "shield breaker", in honour of the blacksmiths of the city, who produced powerful swords and spears) to reinforce the new Islamic presence. Haci Halife in the 17th century noted in his writings that Kalkandelen was expanding at an amazing rate in its lowland areas.

By the 19th century, when the population of Tetovo began to increase with settlement from the surrounding villages, the French traveller Ami Bue noted that the population had reached about 4,500 people. In 1912, following the Balkan wars, Tetovo became a Serbian city. In World War II, Tetovo was jointly ruled by Italy and its puppet regime in Albania. The Communist Party of Macedonia was formed on March 19, 1943 in Tetovo. After the war, it became part of Yugoslavia.

In 2001, ethnic Albanians launched an insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia and Tetovo was the primary base for the insurgents. In the Tetovo village of Vejce, insurgents ambushed army forces, killing eight soldiers. This was the largest loss of government forces in the conflict and further provoked unrest. The Ohrid Agreement, guaranteeing wider rights for ethnic minorities, was signed later in the same year, ending the conflict.

Today, Tetovo is major city with two universities, many private companies, stores, some important historical sights.

By car
The highway Skopje-Gostivar goes through Tetovo. It is very nice and smooth road, but you have to pay on pay-tolls to drive on it twice (once while leaving Skopje, and once again on the approach to Tetovo), price 30 denars each time.

By foot
All of the sights within the city of Tetovo are within close walking distance of one another. The fortress, however, is almost an hour walk from the churches in the upper part of town.

By taxi
Taxis are available in Tetovo, with larger concentrations on major boulevards like Ilindenska and Maršal Tito.

See
Tetovo's most important and most interesting sights are reminders of its Ottoman heritage. This includes a unique mosque, a Bektashi Order monastery, a fortress, and a Turkish bath.
 * Tetovo has some interesting bridges across the Pena River, particularly the medieval single-arch Stone Bridge.
 * Tetovo has some interesting bridges across the Pena River, particularly the medieval single-arch Stone Bridge.

Churches
Tetovo's churches are relatively new by Macedonian standards, though they were often built atop older destroyed churches.

Further afield
Within Tetovo Municipality: Within Bogovinje Municipality, southwest of Tetovo:

Želino Municipality is south east of Tetovo.

Tearce and Jegunovce are two municipalities immediately east of Tetovo toward Kosovo. They contain several places of interest, particularly Lešok Monastery. Brvenica is south of Tetovo.

Do

 * Ski at
 * Watch football: KF Shkëndija play soccer in the Macedonian First League, the country's top tier. Their home ground is Ecolog Arena, capacity 15,000, northeast side of the city.
 * Watch football: KF Shkëndija play soccer in the Macedonian First League, the country's top tier. Their home ground is Ecolog Arena, capacity 15,000, northeast side of the city.

Learn

 * State University of Tetovo - is one of the four Macedonian state universities. The university was established on 17 December 1994, however it was not recognized as a state university by the Macedonian government until January 2004. Classes are held in Macedonian, English, and some in Albanian.
 * South East European University - was founded in October 2001 and is a member of the European University Association. It is a recognised and accredited autonomous higher education institution which was established in 2001 by an agreement between international donors, the government of the Republic of Macedonia, and the local academic community.

Buy

Eat
Tetovo is a food paradise. It is said that Tetovo produces the best Burek, a sort of greasy, phyllo dough pastry filled with cheese or ground meat that is popular throughout the Balkan peninsula. It resembles a cheese pie, but contains more fat and has stronger flavour. Also, by general consent, it is much more delicious. Some vendors sell other varieties such as apple, spinach or pizza burek (frequently just a combination between the meat and cheese Burek).

The Shopska salad is another phenomenal, yet simple, dish to be found in Tetovo. It consists of chopped up tomato, cucumber, onion, oil, a little salt and a generous topping of a domestic feta-like cheese. The local feta is usually less sharp than feta typically found in the west by a considerable margin. Most websites with recipes simply call it a brined sheep cheese and the French are known to make a similar feta. Another local trademark is the 'Urnebes' salad, literally translated as 'chaos' or 'pandemonium' - basically cream cheese in oil mixed with ground peppers, garlic and sometimes sesame.

Sharska Pleskavica, burger with yellow cheese, contains a concoction of spiced ground beef, pork and lamb. It may be served in a bun, pita bread or by itself on a plate depending on where you get one. It usually is accompanied by onions, a paprika based sauce and in the case of the fast-food-esque vendors you'll have a variety of sauces and toppings to accompany it.

Vegetarians had been almost totally neglected in Balkan regions until recently, but now most restaurants will have some options for them, too. Vegans might encounter more problems, although most are usually solved with the help of kind local restaurant owners. Note the traditional fasting periods, especially in April before Orthodox Easter holidays, when many restaurants offer fish and non-animal food, including some specialties.

 * Delfin, Illyria Street,
 * Rima, Jane Snadanski bb, +389 44 338 686
 * Burger House, Jane Sandanski, +389 44 529 444
 * MEANA Egej, Boris kidrik, bb, +389 44 341 360
 * Restaurant Shushu, Blagoja Toska (Благоја Тоска ББ), +389 70 840 121
 * Delfin, Illyria Street,
 * Rima, Jane Snadanski bb, +389 44 338 686
 * Burger House, Jane Sandanski, +389 44 529 444
 * MEANA Egej, Boris kidrik, bb, +389 44 341 360
 * Restaurant Shushu, Blagoja Toska (Благоја Тоска ББ), +389 70 840 121

Drink
Tap water is drinkable in Tetovo. Locals like to boast that, Tetovo has the best water on Balkans. Although this claim can probably be contested, the water from the central supply system is drunk by most residents. More cautious visitors are advised to buy bottled water in any shop: a variety of brands are available.

There is a throng of cafes in downtown Tetovo, most of which serve various coffee drinks, beers and liquors. Some specialty bars serve a more limited scope of beverages. There is, however, a large Muslim population in city, so some places will not serve alcohol.

Local wines are usually of the best of quality. The more expensive the better. International brands are offered in most bars.

Rakija, a powerful brandy made from various fruits (usually plum or grape), is a local favorite. Attention: some kinds may be pretty strong for a newbie.

Go next

 * Brvenica – A municipality just south of Tetovo
 * Skopje – 42 km to the east, is the nation's capital
 * Debar – Relaxing in its thermal mineral spas
 * Mavrovo National Park
 * Kičevo – Southward 1 hr drive. Visit St. Bogorodica Precista, a monastery with the 'flying icon'
 * Prizren – 110 km via Globocica. This historic Kosovar city is just north of Tetovo. However, the sheer wall of the Šar Mountains in between makes travel to Prizren take a lot longer than if the terrain were flat. While there is a shortcut-ish remote mountain route going there from Tetovo, detouring through Skopje is probably more reliable, especially if you want to take the public transport.

title: Tetovo


text:
Tettnang

Tettnang is a town of 20,000 people (2020) in the Lake Constance (Bodensee) region of Baden-Württemberg about 10 km from Friedrichshafen. The region produces a special variety of hops, an ingredient of beer, and ships it to breweries throughout the world.

By plane
The small international airport in Friedrichshafen, Bodensee-Airport Friedrichshafen, is only 6km away.

By car
10 km (6 miles) north-east of Friedrichshafen, 10 km south of Ravensburg.

By bus
Public transport is organised by Bodensee-Oberschwaben Verkehrsverbund (also called bodo).

Eat

 * Brauerei und Gasthof Krone. See sleep for details.
 * Brauerei und Gasthof Krone. See sleep for details.
 * Brauerei und Gasthof Krone. See sleep for details.

Drink

 * Brauerei und Gasthof Krone. See sleep for details.
 * Brauerei und Gasthof Krone. See sleep for details.

Go next

 * Friedrichshafen
 * Lindau
 * Ravensburg

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Tettnang


text:
Tetum phrasebook

Tetum or Tetun (Lia-Tetun) is a national language and one of the two official languages of East Timor.

an
Nasalized a

in
Nasalized i

on
Nasalized o

u
As in moon

un
Nasalized u

Basics

 * Hello. : Ola / Elo ( )
 * Hello. (informal) : Oi ( )
 * How are you? : Diak ka lai? / O di'ak ka lae? ( )
 * Fine, thank you. : Diak, obrigadu (m)/ obrigada (f) ( )
 * What is your name? : Ita nia naran saida? / O nia naran sa? ( )
 * My name is ______ . : Ha'u nia naran _____. / Men dak narana _____.
 * Nice to meet you. : . (Obrigo burodo )
 * Please. : Ibrig./Favór ida.
 * Thank you. : . (Obrigadu (m), Obrigada (f) (barak.)  )
 * You're welcome. : La iha buat ida. / Lalika temi.
 * Yes. : Sin / Lo'os ( )
 * No. : Lae ( )
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : Kolisensa. ( )
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : Deskupa. ( )
 * I'm sorry. : Deskupa. (days kool pah)
 * Goodbye : Ha'u ba lai. (Hepeye)
 * Goodbye (informal) : . (Heppi)
 * I can't speak _____. : Man sain diaka tocoya _____.
 * Do you speak English? : Ita bele ko'alia Inglés? ( )
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : ? ( ?)
 * Help! : Ajuda! (AH-jooh-dah!)
 * Look out! : ! ( )
 * Good morning. : Bondia / Dader diak / Boasdias. ( )
 * Good afternoon. : Botarde / Lorokraik daik / Boastarde. ( )
 * Good evening. : ( )
 * Good night. : Bonoite ( )
 * Good night (to sleep) : . ( )
 * I don't understand. : Hau la komprende. ( )
 * Where is the toilet? : Sintina iha ne'ebe? (seen-tee-NAH ee-hah nih-aybay?)

Numbers System
Spanish+Portuguese

Numbers
½ - medya

0 - cera

1 - una

2 - dova

3 - tra

4 - juatra

5 - cinga

6 - sesa

7 - sitta

8 - okta

9 - nuva

10 - desa

11 - unzoa

12 - donzoa

13 - trazoa

14 - kuturza

15 - kuinguza

16 - desajsesa

17 - desajsitta

18 - desajokta

19 - desajnuva

20 - veyenta

25 - veyentajcinga

30 - treyyenta

40 - juarhanta

50 - cinguanta

60 - sesanta

70 - sittanta

80 - okkanta

90 - nuwanta

100 - centa

200 - dovacenta

300 - tracenta

400 - quatrentosa

500 - quinentosa

1000 - milla

2000 - dosa milla

1,000,000 - una millionna

Days

 * 1) Sunday - Dumingu
 * 2) Monday - Segunda
 * 3) Tuesday - Tersa
 * 4) Wednesday - Kuarta
 * 5) Thursday - Kinta
 * 6) Friday - Sesta
 * 7) Saturday - Sabadu
 * What day is today?: Ohin sa loron? / Ohin loron saida?
 * What day is today?: Ohin sa loron? / Ohin loron saida?

 * Today is ___________. : Ohin loron ___________.

 * What day will be tomorrow? : Aban loron saida?

 * Tomorrow will be ___________. : Aban loron ___________.

 * What day was yesterday? : Horseik loron saida?

 * Yesterday was ___________. : Horseik loron ___________.

title: Tetum phrasebook


text:
Teutoburg Forest

Teutoburg Forest, also known as Eastern Westphalia and Lippe (Ostwestfalen-Lippe in German and OWL for short), is a region in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Cities

 * , biggest city of the region that infamously "doesn't exist" according to the internet
 * , former residence of princes and capital of the state of Lippe
 * , bishop's see, interesting old city centre
 * , bishop's see, interesting old city centre
 * , bishop's see, interesting old city centre
 * , bishop's see, interesting old city centre
 * , bishop's see, interesting old city centre

Understand
The Teutoburg Forest is historically linked to a decisive battle in 9 AD between Roman troops, led by general Publius Quinctilius Varus, and a confederation of Teutonic tribes led by Arminius (called "Hermann" by Martin Luther and many later-date German patriots and historians, but probably not named that). In newer times, historians have cast doubts on the actual site of the battle, designated saltus Teutoburgiensis in Roman annals. Archeological digs on the 20th century identified the battle place at the Kalkriese Hill, near Osnabrück, rather than the area that has been called Teutoburg Forest since the 19th century. Nevertheless this historic episode has played a big part in the region's identity.

Lippe was a separate petty state within the German Empire until it was merged with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in 1947.

Get in
There is a regional airport in Paderborn-Lippstadt that offers a few domestic connections and saisonal/charter flights to holiday destinations around the Mediterranean Sea. Other nearby airports are Münster/Osnabrück (65 km to the West), Dortmund  (85 km to the Southwest) and Hannover  (75 km to the Northeast). The next major airport with a wide range of international connections is Düsseldorf (170 km to the Southwest).

High-speed trains (ICE) stop in Bielefeld (hourly from Berlin, Hannover, Düsseldorf, Cologne). Ordinary intercity trains from Berlin and Amsterdam run every two hours and stop in Minden, Bad Oeynhausen and Bünde. In the same frequency intercity trains from Dresden and Cologne stop in Minden, Bad Oeynhausen, Herford, Bielefeld and Gütersloh. From these stations regional trains connect to other places in the region.

See
The inofficial symbol of the region is the larger-than-life statue of Hermann, chieftain of the Cheruscians and leader of the Teuton forces in the battle against the Romans who has been idealised as a German national hero during the 19th century era of romantic nationalism. The 53 metre high monument stands on a hill southwest of Detmold.

Like other parts of Germany, this region was long divided into a large number of tiny territories, each ruled by an earl, baron or bishop. This has resulted in a rich heritage of castles, palaces and manors from different eras and in various styles. Most of them were constructed during the High Middle Ages and are well-fortified but were later transformed into more comfortable Renaissance-style residences (the local variant of Renaissance architecture is called "Weser Renaissance"). Among the most beautiful and interesting of them are Schloss Neuhaus of Paderborn (surrounded by a beautiful baroque garden), the former Princely Residence in Detmold and Burg Blomberg (17 km east of Detmold). The Wewelsburg near Büren (16 km south of Paderborn) is a triangular-shaped, early 17th-century Renaissance castle built for the prince-bishops of Paderborn, which was chosen as an SS cult-site during the Nazi era and redesigned after Heinrich Himmler's fancy.

The Höxter district assembles a great number of (former) monasteries, most notably the former Benedictine abbey of Corvey that used to be one of the most important monasteries in Europe during the Medieval period and whose Carolingian westwork and Civitas have been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Minden and Paderborn have notable cathedrals.

The region has many lovely parks and gardens, especially the spa gardens of Bad Lippspringe, Bad Oeynhausen and Bad Salzuflen, the earl's park of Bad Driburg, the botanical garden of Gütersloh and the former horticultural show grounds in Rheda-Wiedenbrück and Rietberg.

Several towns in the Teutoburg Forest region have well-preserved historic town cores with a romantic flair, namely Paderborn, Bad Salzuflen, Blomberg, Detmold or Lemgo, with their half-timbered houses and remains of the medieval town fortification.

A bizarre sight are the so-called, a distinctive sandstone rock formation near Horn-Bad Meinberg (12 km south of Detmold, 5 km from Horn). They form a several hundred metre long rocky line with 13 especially outstanding rocks. Before Christianisation, the site was used by the old Saxons for pagan rites.

The district around Minden and Lübbecke is noted for its large number of watermills and windmills (therefore being dubbed the "mill district").

Do
The hilly landscape is a popular hiking and cycling destination. There are many recommended and signposted paths for hikers and cyclists of different training levels.

Moreover, there are opportunities for canoeing, climbing, horse riding, golf; as well as organised tours with hot-air balloon, vintage cars or motorcycles.

Drink
A local liquor specialty is Steinhäger, a grain spirit flavoured with juniper berries, comparable to gin.

Go next

 * Münsterland, to the West – mostly flat, agricultural region with a hundred castles, palaces and manors; Germany's cycling capital; heartland of horse breeding and riding
 * Sauerland-Siegerland, to the South – hilly or mountainous region, pristine landscapes, big lakes and ski resorts
 * Middle Weser, to the North
 * Weser Uplands, to the East

title: Teutoburg Forest


text:
Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury (pronounced "tueks-bury" or sometimes locally as "chooks-bury") is a small market town in north Gloucestershire, approximately north of the city of Gloucester and  north of Cheltenham. It is renowned for its medieval streetscape and large number of timber framed buildings.

Understand
Tewkesbury is a historic market town dating as far back as the 7th century when it was an Anglo-Saxon settlement named Theocsbury. However, the main attraction is the town's role in the Wars of the Roses. The Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471 was a turning point in the war, allowing the Yorkists to eventually succeed at placing their monarch on the English throne.

The town is proud of its medieval heritage and summer visitors will notice the many banners that many of the shops and residences put up around the time of the town's medieval festival.

Orientation
Tewkesbury isn't a large town, however it's large enough to be split into distinct areas.

High Street
The High Street stretches from the roundabout with the war memorial to the Mythe bridge. Most of the town's notable shops are on this street.

Barton Street
Barton Street connects Church Street to the A438 and has the town's police station. There aren't as many businesses on this street.

Walton Cardiff/Wheatpieces
Walton Cardiff is a mostly residential area built on flood plains south of the town. It has a small retail area with a Costcutter's convenience store, Tewkesbury Fryer fish & chips and Glory Garden Chinese takeaway.

Newtown
Newtown is east of the town. It's mostly a residential strip with The Canterbury (a pub with a large weeping willow tree), the town's secondary school and a few businesses.

Northway/Ashchurch
Much like Newtown, Northway is to the east of the town and is mostly residential. However it also home to the Northway Trading Estate, which provides much of the town's income.

Visitor information

 * Visitor information

By car
Tewkesbury is easily accessible from the M50, M5 and the A38, which is the main trunk road through the town. Visitors from South Wales should use the M50, and get off at Junction 1, following the A38 into Tewkesbury. Visitors from the North or South should use the M5 motorway and leave at Junction 9. Tewkesbury is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) west of the junction and is well signposted from here.

By train
The number 41 and 42 bus service (see link below - use Northway, Steward Rd as a guide to times.) provides a regular service between Ashchurch for Tewkesbury station and Tewkesbury town centre. The bus stop is located less than 200 metres from the station on Northway Lane.

Alternatively, there are the Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester train stations nearby with connections to cities such as London Paddington, Birmingham New Street, Bristol and Cardiff.

By bus
Buses serve Tewkesbury from many neighbouring towns and cities.

There are regular services from Gloucester and Cheltenham and occasional services from Worcester.

71 – (Stagecoach): Gloucester → Twigworth → Norton → Coombe Hill → Walton Cardiff → Tewkesbury → Northway

41 – (Stagecoach): Cheltenham → Uckington → Tewkesbury (Gupshill Manor) → Tewkesbury (Roses Theatre) → Northway

42 – (Stagecoach): Cheltenham → Uckington → Walton Cardiff → Tewkesbury → Mitton or Ashchurch for Tewkesbury Rail Station

Bus services also link Tewkesbury with Ledbury, Pershore, Evesham, Upton upon Severn and Hereford. Tewkesbury Bus Timetables

By boat
Tewkesbury is located at the confluence of the River Severn and the River Avon (Shakespeare's Avon), both of which are navigable. Overnight moorings are available at Tewkesbury Marina and along the banks of the Avon in the town at a cost of £3 per night for up to 48 hours.

Get around
Tewkesbury is a fairly small town and very flat, and is therefore best explored on foot. The tourist board have placed a lot of grey signs, making it easy to find the location attractions. There are many cycle routes throughout the town, but no bicycle hire.

By car
Parking has been made more difficult in the town since the council extended the pavement on the High Street. The best free parking near the High Street is next to the Severn Ham, however it is often full especially on weekends.

If you don't mind paying there are plenty of pay and display car parks.

Walks

Join one of the guided tours to get the most out of your visit to Tewkesbury. Details available from the Tewkesbury Tourist Information Centre, Tewkesbury Museum and most hotels. Alternatively the official Visit Tewkesbury website has a page dedicated to walks in the area.

Festivals

 * Tewkesbury Food and Drink Festival is held on the Abbey grounds, with the next probably on 1-2 June 2024, tbc.
 * Tewkesbury Medieval Festival is held on the Wars of the Roses battlefield and other locations in town in July. They re-create the battle of 1471, which apparently involved a lot of sci-fi ghouls, food stalls and merchandising - who knew?
 * Tewkesbury Water Festival was in July, but hasn't been held post-covid.
 * Tewkesbury Mop Fair was a medieval hiring fair, but it's now a street carnival with rides and performers in October.

Theatre
Tewkesbury's own Roses Theatre hosts many productions and also screens the occasional film. The theatre is perhaps best known for being the last venue for British comedian Eric Morecombe.

Buy
Tewkesbury has a varied high street with a good mix of independent local shops and well known high street chains.

A market is also held in the Spring Gardens car park (just off Oldbury Road) every Wednesday and Saturday.

Occasionally the town hall hosts different market stalls selling local crafts and produce.

The town has three supermarkets, a small Tesco Extra, an Aldi and a large Morrison's supermarket.

Eat
"His wit’s as thick as Tewkesbury mustard. There's no more conceit in him than is in a mallet."

- Henry VI, Part 2, William Shakespeare

Budget
Tewkesbury has a few places for eating on a budget; including takeaways, kebab shops and cheap cafes.

Drink
"At the Hop Pole at Tewkesbury, they stopped to dine; upon which occasion there was more bottled ale, with some more Madeira, and some port besides; and here the case-bottle was replenished for the fourth time. Under the influence of these combined stimulants, Mr. Pickwick and Mr. Ben Allen fell fast asleep for thirty miles, while Bob and Mr. Weller sang duets in the dickey."

- The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens

Tewkesbury has many pubs. Some of them however were turned into shops, but a sign on the window or inside the store itself will inform passers-by of the pub that used to stand there.

Tewkesbury's oldest and most famous pub Ye Olde Black Bear which reputedly dates back to 1308 fell into disrepair, was sold off and remains closed. Its counterpart The White Bear however remains open to customers. The residential area between them is appropriately named Twixtbears.

Sleep
Accommodation gets full around the Cheltenham Gold Cup in April.

Connect
As of July 2022, Tewkesbury has 4G from all UK carriers. 5G has not reached town.

Go next
Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

 * Cheltenham – south of Tewkesbury. A historic spa town known for its festivals.
 * Gloucester – south of Tewkesbury. County capital and known for its historic dockyards and cathedral.
 * Worcester – north of Tewkesbury. Historic city, county capital of Worcestershire and home of the famous Worcestershire sauce.

title: Tewkesbury


text:
Texarkana

Texarkana is a city of 150,000 people (2016) in the Piney Woods region of Texas and the Timberlands region of Arkansas.

Understand
Texarkana is a city bisected by the Texas-Arkansas border; the west side of town is in Texas and the east side is in Arkansas. State Line Avenue runs right on the borderline.

By plane

The nearest airport served by all three major airline alliances is Shreveport Regional Airport in Louisiana.

By car
Interstate Highway 30 (I-30) runs through north Texarkana and serves as part of the city's loop. US Route 71 (US-71) enters from Shreveport, Louisiana in the south and continues to Ft. Smith Arkansas in the North. US-71 serves as the dividing line between the Texas and Arkansas sides of the city through downtown. US Route 59 (US-59) Enters through the southwest corner of town where it merges with Loop 245 and I-30, which it follows out of town. US Route 67 (US-67) enters on the Texas side from Dallas in the middle of the city and exits in the northeast corner, headed to Little Rock. US Route 82 (US-82) enters Texarkana shadowing I-30 from Dallas, but takes a straighter path through the city. It exits town on the Arkansas side and continues through Mississippi and Georgia.

By train

 * Amtrak serves Texarkana daily with its Texas Eagle route. The historic is located on 100 E Front St, bisecting the state frontier between Texas and Arkansas.

By bus
Greyhound serves the city. Their terminal,  is north of the city, on 405 E 51st St, along the I-30. . Local buses connect with city centre during day time.

Get around
Public transport is limited in Texarkana but there is a small bus network called T-Line. Buses usually depart once an hour.

Sleep
Almost all hotels are clustered around the Interstate highways, far from the city center.

Telephones
The Texas side of town is in the 903 area code, while the Arkansas side is in the 870 area code.

Go next
Texarkana came to fame with the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit about a truck run to Atlanta, commemorated through the Bandit Run.

title: Texarkana


text:
Texas

Texas is the second largest and second most populous state in the United States of America. Tourists might enjoy San Antonio and El Paso's Hispanic culture, or Fort Worth western attractions. Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Padre Island are some of the popular Texas resort areas on the Gulf of Mexico. Houston is Texas's leading convention city along with its Southern culture. Professional and college sports are dominant in both Dallas and Houston. Owing to its remarkable size, distinctive culture and politics, and colorful history, many Texans maintain a fiercely independent attitude, with Texan identity often superseding American identity. Few other American states feature their flag so prominently in businesses, on the backs of cars and in advertisements.

Cities

 * – "Live Music Capital of the World", state capital and home to the main campus of the University of Texas
 * – home of the Texas State Aquarium and gateway to Padre Island
 * – Texas' multicultural economic powerhouse, blending Texan culture with modern trends.
 * – the largest city on the US/Mexico border
 * – Fort Worth Stockyards, "Where the West Begins"
 * – Texas' largest city, home of NASA's Mission Control Center, best dining scene in the state, and home to Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine.
 * – the US's largest inland port
 * – financial and cultural center of the South Plains, birthplace of Buddy Holly and home of several top notch wineries, location of Texas Tech University
 * – famous for the Alamo as well as the "River Walk" nightlife district, this metropolis is also home to four major theme parks, two SeaWorld and two Six Flags parks

Understand
Texas became a colony of Spain in the 17th century, and, later, part of Mexico. Texas rebelled in 1836 and was an independent nation for 10 years before being annexed by the United States in 1845. Despite having existed under the auspices of six different countries (France, Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America), Texas has maintained its fascinating independent spirit, making for a unique and unrivaled exploration ground for any intrigued and intrepid adventurer.

Known for their generosity, hospitality, unusual accent, and penchant for the larger-than-life, Texans are wonderful people to meet. The variety of cultural experiences, from feasting on bratwurst with the Germans of the Hill Country to watching Flamenco dancers with the Tejanos of the Rio Grande valley, is seemingly unlimited.

The large size of the state should not be underestimated. Texas measures over in area, making it slightly larger than France. Having a car is essential for travel between cities, and within most. The traveler should factor on long driving times between cities and destinations.

Texas is bordered by the U.S. states of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, and Chihuahua, as well as having a long coast on the Gulf of Mexico.

Texas is called the "Lone Star State" and the Lone Star can be found on its state flag as well as its state seal.

History
The first European to arrive in Texas was Spanish conquistador Alonso Álvarez de Pineda.

France, Spain and Mexico have all laid claim to Texas at one point or another. However, in 1836, Texas won its independence from Mexico and became the Republic of Texas. The most famous battle of the fight for independence was the stand at the Alamo. Although tragic, the sacrifice allowed the main army of Texas time enough to gather their strength and defeat the formidable Mexican army, led by General Santa Anna. Nine years later Texas agreed to be annexed by the United States and became the 28th state of the Union.

Texas, especially the eastern part, is considered part of the South, and like the rest of the coastal South, was once home to slave plantations, most of which grew cotton. The northern and western regions were more typical to the Old West, with small groups of settlers pursuing livestock ranching and mineral prospecting.

In the American Civil War Texas joined the Confederacy, which was defeated by the Union. While Texas took little harm from the war, the following years were marked by clashes between white veterans, freed blacks, and outlaws. In the following decades, Texas prospered from ranching and an emerging oil industry. Like other southern states, Texas passed Jim Crow laws enforcing racial segregation in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During this time, many brutal lynchings took place. While hit hard by the Great Depression, the state went through rapid industrialization during World War II, and has since then emerged as a powerhouse of high technology, with Houston as the command center for the American space program.

People
The ethnic background of Texas is extremely diverse. One-third of the population has some sort of Hispanic background, some of whom have families that have lived in Texas since the time it was part of Mexico, with a few tracing their Texas roots back to the Spanish era. There are also many German settlements (such as Fredericksburg and New Braunfels), as well as Norwegian, Polish, Czech, Swedish and French settlements. Also, a sizable number of African-Americans (mainly in North, East and Southeast Texas) and Asian-Americans (often in metropolitan areas of Texas) can be found. Although generally regarded as a conservative state, this varies significantly by geographic area; larger cities like Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, as well as towns along the Mexican border, are generally liberal, while rural parts of the state tend to be deeply religious and conservative. In the 2010s, the huge influx of upwardly-mobile college-educated millennials into the big cities has been turning Texas into a swing state.

Climate
Texas is a huge state and therefore experiences an extreme variety of weather. The state is very warm in the summer months, with temperatures often above 100°F (38°C). In West Texas and the Panhandle, summers are usually dry with fits of stormy weather. North (Dallas/Fort Worth region) and coastal (Houston region) areas have unstable climates (hence the oft-repeated saying about Texas weather: "If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes" – though 10 minutes later you might not like the change). In general, the east is humid subtropical, while the west is alternately cold semi-arid, hot semi-arid, and hot desert.

Thunderstorms are common, sometimes generating tornadoes and hailstorms. It is often warmer near the coast, though humidity can be unbearable in the summer. Conversely, the spring, autumn and winter are relatively pleasant for most of the state. It rarely dips below the freezing point in winter, except in the Panhandle region, where the winters can get quite cold in the small part of the state uplifted by the Colorado Plateau (Amarillo in particular has suffered blizzards in the past).

Size
Again, the sheer size of the state is not to be underestimated. Brewster County in West Texas is larger in land area than Rhode Island and Delaware combined; Texarkana is closer to Chicago than it is to El Paso, El Paso is closer to Los Angeles than it is to Beaumont, and Brownsville is closer to Mexico City than it is to Dallas. If you are wanting to take in the full Texas experience, you will need ample time to do so.

Tourist information

 * Travel Texas website

Talk
Texas has no official language. However, as with the rest of the United States, English is the predominant language of the state. Spanish is also spoken by approximately one-third of the population, and is the first language of many residents from the towns on the Mexican border. However, don't assume that all Hispanic Texans speak Spanish. Some families have been in Texas for longer than Texas has been part of the U.S., and thus either speak only English, or use Spanish only as a second language. Texas also has small numbers of Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese speakers as well.

Don't assume that the majority of people are going to have a "Texan" accent. While you will run into many that do, the majority of Texans, especially in the cities, speak in a General American accent and lack the "Texan twang" one associates with the state's residents.

Get in
Texas shares an international border with Mexico as well as a 600-mile coastline. It is bordered on the north by the state of Oklahoma, on the west by the state of New Mexico, and on the east by the states of Arkansas and Louisiana. As a state of the United States, all visa and passport rules of the U.S. apply.

By plane
and  are the most popular entry points with a wide variety of flights from Europe, East Asia, India, Australia, Latin America, Middle East (Israel, Qatar, Turkey, UAE) and from various cities in the U.S. on a variety of U.S. and foreign flag carriers. Houston serves as a hub for United at Bush Intercontinental Airport and Southwest at Houston Hobby while Dallas-Ft Worth serves as a hub for American Airlines and Dallas Love Field as the hub for Southwest. If you are flying within Texas or coming from within the U.S., there are other airports in Texas that are less crowded and may be closer to your final destination in:

 * is an "alternate" airport in the Dallas-Ft Worth Metroplex that is closer in towards downtown Dallas. If you are traveling with Southwest Airlines to the Dallas Ft Worth metroplex they only land at the Dallas Love Field.
 * is the other airport in the Houston area that southeast of downtown Houston. If you are traveling with Allegiant or Southwest Airlines into the Houston area they only land at the William P Hobby Airport
 * The third busiest airport in Texas receives many nonstop flights.
 * east of downtown Amarillo. It has commercial service with Allegiant, American, United and Southwest from other parts of the state and from Las Vegas, Phoenix-Mesa and Denver.
 * northeast of downtown. Small airport served by Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, and United.
 * north of downtown Lubbock and south of Amarillo. It is served mainly by intrastate flights with American, United and Southwest. The same airlines also offer non-stop flights from Las Vegas, Phoenix Sky Harbor and Denver.
 * The nearest airport to Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville in south Texas, near the border.
 * in the northern neighborhoods of the Alamo city, serves a good chuck of American and Mexican destinations.

In addition to Dallas-Ft Worth and Bush Intercontinental in Houston, flights from Mexico land in Austin, San Antonio and McAllen in Texas and in Ciudad Juarez and Monterrey as the nearest Mexican airports to Texas. The roads leading from Monterrey to Reynosa/McAllen and Nuevo Laredo/Laredo are not safe due incidences of carjacking, illegal roadblocks and other violence perpetrated by drug cartel members against travelers. Same thing south of Brownsville/Matamoros in Tamaulipas state.

By train
Three daily Amtrak trains serve the state. Firstly, the Texas Eagle between Chicago and San Antonio, with stops in Texarkana, Dallas and Austin. Secondly, the Sunset Limited between Los Angeles and New Orleans, with stops in Houston, San Antonio and El Paso. This train also conveys a through-car to and from Chicago three times per week. Finally, there's the Heartland Flyer travelling between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.

Amtrak fares are often higher than a comparable flight and ride times are long, but travelling by train offers a unique perspective and spectacular views that can't be had from a car bus or plane for those who are interested. However, Amtrak is also notorious for delays as they don't own most of their tracks and have to wait to let freight trains pass on single tracked parts of the network, sometimes for hours.

By car
Texas is well-served from other points in the U.S. by the United States Interstate Highway system, the quality and condition of which is generally very good. There are many roads which cross into Texas from Mexico, most notably in McAllen, Brownsville, Laredo and El Paso. Due to the enormous amount of traffic from Mexico and Central America, Laredo is the country's largest inland port, and wait times at this and all border stations can often be tremendous. In all, Texas boasts over 72,000 miles of state and federal highways.

If you are not a U.S. citizen and you are driving into the U.S. from Mexico, you must have a visa or valid permit beforehand, as they are not issued at the bridges across the Rio Grande. If you are a U.S. citizen, you must present a passport to customs at the border crossings to re-enter the United States. Otherwise, your vacation in Mexico just got longer!

Note that the roads in Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Chihuahua and Nuevo Laredos (an maybe further south) states, particularly those connecting Monterrey to Reynosa/McAllen and Nuevo Laredo/Laredo are not safe due incidences of carjacking, illegal roadblocks and other cartel violence against travelers. Same thing with the roads south of Brownsville/Matamoros in Tamaulipas state.

By bus
For the braver, more adventurous (and more frugal) passengers, inter-city busses are an option. Please take into consideration that this mode of transportation is primarily used by those who cannot afford air travel and you may be riding with migrant workers, and very low income Americans. Even so, conditions in stations and on the buses are adequate. The Greyhound takes you to remote cities within Texas, and can get you to Texas from as far as Mexico City and limited parts of Canada.

By boat
Major ports in Texas include Houston, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Beaumont, Port Arthur and Brownsville. Both the Port of Houston and the Port of Galveston are home ports for Cruise ships.

By car
The road system is almost universally excellent, and even the most remote points in the state can be accessed with an average sedan. Gas stations are numerous; however, in rural West Texas, do not press your luck. Texan highways are often built with parallel frontage roads and turnarounds at most exits. Speed limits are very strictly enforced in rural areas of the state; Texas state troopers will pull you over for an infraction as small as five miles per hour over the speed limit, as traffic fines are often an important source of income for many smaller towns. However, when traveling through larger cities, observing the "common speed" of traffic around you is much safer. The rural speed limit in Texas is generally 70 MPH, though it increases to 80 MPH on Interstates 10 and 20 in the sparsely populated far western portion of the state.

On the downside, Texas has one of America's worst traffic safety records and one of the highest number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in America.

If you plan to drive around Texas, these are generally the most important routes for you to know:

 * 1) I-10.svg: Interstate 10 runs on an east-west route through Texas, connecting Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, West Texas and El Paso.
 * 2) I-20.svg & US 80.svg: Also running on an east-west route, Interstate 20 connects Longview, Tyler, the Metroplex, Abilene, Midland and El Paso. It ends/begins at I-10  east of El Paso. US Hwy 80 parallels or runs concurrent on I-20 (in some places) between Mesquite and Cuba, Alabama serving as a local surface street through the cities and towns it passes through. US Hwy 80 begins/ends in Dallas at its junction with I-30 at the Dallas-Mesquite line.
 * 3) I-27.svg: A north-south route, Interstate 27 connects Amarillo and Lubbock.
 * 4) I-30.svg: Although it has a brief run in Texas, Interstate 30 connects Texarkana and the Metroplex.
 * 5) I-35.svg: The primary north-south route in Texas, this interstate connects Laredo, San Antonio, Austin, Waco and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
 * 6) I-37.svg: Serves as a diagonal route from San Antonio to Corpus Cristi on the Gulf Coast.
 * 7) I-40.svg: The primary east-west route of the Panhandle region, Interstate 40 connects Amarillo to parts of Oklahoma and New Mexico.
 * 8) I-45.svg: A north-south route connecting the Metroplex, Houston, and Galveston.
 * 9) I-69.svg & US 59.svg The north-south route across Eastern Texas, this route connects Texarkana, Houston, Victoria and Laredo. The segment from Rosenberg to Cleveland, running through Houston, is now signed as Interstate 69. The latter route will eventually run northeast to southwest, connecting Nacogdoches, Houston, and Victoria before splitting into three segments in Victoria. One will follow a generally coastal route through Corpus Christi to Brownsville. The other two will follow inland routes, one to the western Rio Grande Valley cities and the other to Laredo.
 * 10) US 67.svg: A north-south route, this road runs somewhat northeast to southwest, connecting Texarkana, the Metroplex, San Angelo, Fort Stockton, Marfa and Presidio.
 * 11) US 77.svg & I-69E.svg:  The primary north-south route in Texas predating the interstate highway system, this highway connects Brownsville Harlingen, Victoria, Corpus Cristi, Waco and Fort Worth. It is concurrent or closely parallels with I-35/35W between Waco, Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. The section of US Hwy 77 between the Willacy-Kennedy County line (north of Raymond) and Brownsville have been upgraded and re-numbered to Interstate 69E
 * 12) US 87.svg: Another north-south route, this road runs somewhat more northwest to southeast, connecting Amarillo, Lubbock, San Angelo, Fredericksburg, San Antonio and Victoria.
 * 13) US 90.svg: US Hwy 90 begins/ends in Van Horn. Going south, US Hwy 90 winds  southeast towards Del Rio (at the Mexican border), through Valentine, Marfa, Alpine, Marathon and Sanderson in San Antonio. US Hwy 90 runs parallel or concurrent on I-10 from San Antonio to Houston. East of Houston, US 90 splits from I-10 and heads northeast towards Liberty, eventually traveling through downtown Beaumont where it rejoins I-10 for the rest of its routing towards the Louisiana state line.

In regards to driver's licenses, Texas has reciprocity agreements with 83 countries (including Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea), meaning your driver's license is likely good in Texas if you plan to stay less than a year. That being said it never hurts to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your domestic license; for foreign nationals of countries who do not have reciprocity agreements, this is a must. IDPs are available from your local automobile association and are usually valid for one year.

By plane
Texas is home to three major airlines: American Airlines, based out of Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport, United Airlines, based out of Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Southwest Airlines, with hubs in Austin, Dallas Love-Field, and Houston Hobby. Southwest is the main budget airline and flies throughout Texas and most of the United States. Travel to any destination world-wide is quite painless from the larger Texas airports and many of them have nonstop flights to many foreign countries in addition to most US cities.

By train
Since Texas cities are geographically dispersed, travel by train is expensive and often inconvenient, though Amtrak does provide several lines and a private company is acquiring land for a Japanese-style bullet train between Houston and Dallas, the two largest urban areas. Passenger service is no longer an option for cities in the Panhandle or southern Texas. Again, the size of the state is startling; traveling across the width of Texas (from Orange, in the eastern extremity, near Houston, to El Paso in the western extremity) is roughly the same distance as one would encounter while traveling from El Paso to Los Angeles or from Houston to Jacksonville, Florida. Texarkana, in the northeast corner of the state, is closer to Chicago than it is to the extreme southern tip of Texas. The far northwest corner of the Panhandle is closer to Bismarck, North Dakota than it is to Brownsville.

By bus
The bus is not the most glamorous way to get around the state, but it can be the cheapest. The most frequent services are between Dallas/Ft Worth (in the north), San Antonio/Austin (in the SW), and Houston/Katy (in the SE), laid out in a triangular pattern on the map. There are additional services connecting El Paso from the west and Houston in the east to Austin, College Station and/or San Antonio in the middle; and from the Mexican border to San Antonio and Houston. There are additional companies, county bus services, and those connecting rural towns not listed on here, check the city article or that of your destination and the schedules of the company for all the transportation options. Information on transit can be found here:

 * Valley Transit Co (VTC) operates primarily in the areas S/SE of San Antonio and Houston towards the Rio Grande (Mexican border) as a subsidiary brand of Greyhound.
 * Greyhound Mexico connects Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo (state) to Laredo (via Nuevo Laredo) and McAllen (via Reynosa) on two separate routes. Otherwise they have Autobus Americanos as a co-brand with Grupo Estrella Blanca for further travel into Mexico.
 * Greyhound Mexico connects Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo (state) to Laredo (via Nuevo Laredo) and McAllen (via Reynosa) on two separate routes. Otherwise they have Autobus Americanos as a co-brand with Grupo Estrella Blanca for further travel into Mexico.

By thumb
Along with Oklahoma, Oregon, and Missouri, Texas is one of the few U.S. states that allow foot traffic on all toll-free Interstate highways (except within the city limits of El Paso). This makes hitchhiking relatively easy.

History

 * The Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio was the most tragic hour of the erstwhile Republic of Texas. Here some 200 men under siege by a Mexican army of 1,500 or more bravely refused to surrender, and gained immortal fame.
 * San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park, Houston. This is the site of the decisive 1836 battle between Texians led by Sam Houston and the Mexican army under the dictator Gen. Santa Anna, in which Texas gained independence. The San Jacinto Monument, the park's 570-foot-tall centerpiece, is fifteen feet taller than the Washington Monument and the world's tallest monumental column (everything is bigger in Texas!). The battle is counted among those having the greatest impact on history. Within a dozen years of its defeat, Mexico had lost not only Texas, but the territory of the future states of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico. Don't forget to make time to visit the Battleship Texas, permanently moored nearby.
 * Galveston was a prosperous port city when a hurricane hit in 1900, wiping most of its buildings and 6,000 to 8,000 of its residents off the map in America's worst ever natural disaster. The city rebuilt on sand pumped in from the sea behind a 17-foot high seawall, but never regained its former position. A few buildings that survived the storm, and others built after the disaster and then protected from replacement by the city's decline, today form a handsome historic downtown district.
 * After Texas was annexed, the U.S. and Mexico proceeded to quarrel over the border. General Zachary Taylor was ordered by President Polk to set up and to mobilize ground troops at Fort Texas/Fort Brown. During the American Invasion of Mexico, 1846 to 1848, two historic battles took place in Brownsville the Battle of Resaca de la Palma and the Battle at Palo Alto
 * Fort Davis National Historic Site - Partially restored fort, home of the Buffalo soldiers (the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army) in the town of Ft. Davis north of Big Bend Nat Park. In the surrounding Davis Mountains is MacDonald Observatory and Ft. Davis State Park. A scenic loop drive goes through the forested mountains and down on the desert prairie; you may see deer, pronghorn (also called antelope), javelinas (also called peccaries), roadrunners, eagles and some very beautiful scenery.
 * The Fort Worth Stockyards offer a look into the past, when cattle drives and cowboys were all the rage.
 * Lubbock Lake Landmark State Historical Park, Lubbock. Evidence of human occupation dating back several millennia is strewn across this South Plains park. Archaeologists even today frequently discover new artifacts.
 * Dealey Plaza, Dallas. One of the top tourist attractions in the state, this is where the assassination of John F. Kennedy occurred on 22 November 1963. Visit the Sixth Floor Museum in the infamous Texas School Book Depository building nearby for related history and artifacts, including Lee Harvey Oswald's sniper rifle and Jack Ruby's iconic hat.
 * The state capitol in Austin is a pink granite look-alike to the nation's capitol, with a gorgeous interior under a spectacular rotunda. It is one of several state capitols taller than the national one. In the nearby Bob Bullock Museum of Texas History, a Disney animatronic version of Sam Houston narrates the story of Texas.
 * The Rio Grande has cut a pass through the Southern extension of the Rocky Mountain chain, here called the Franklin Mountains, found in the center of El Paso. Three Spanish missions south of the city -- Ysleta founded 1682, Soccorro Mission 1759, and San Elizario Chapel 1789 -- are some of the oldest still functioning churches in the U.S. The campus of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) features buildings, even parking garages, which improbably enough are constructed in the Bhutanese style of architecture, unlike any place in the country.

Fun and games

 * The original Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor, Arlington
 * Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio
 * Sea World, San Antonio
 * Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels
 * Wonderland Park, Amarillo
 * Schlitterbahn Galveston, Galveston
 * Galveston Pleasure Pier, Galveston
 * ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin
 * Great Wolf Lodge, Grapevine
 * Kalahari Indoor Waterpark, Round Rock
 * Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah

Culture and "Texana"

 * The King Ranch, along the Gulf Coast, is a working ranch bigger than the state of Rhode Island.
 * As the largest city on the US/Mexico border, El Paso is a hotbed of Hispanic culture in America with a flavor that is more Mexican than Texan.
 * Not to be missed is the extraordinary Hill Country, with its fields of wildflowers covering sprawling cattle ranches.

Nature

 * Big Bend National Park is mountains, desert, wilderness, and river (Rio Grande) scenery. There are snakes, deer, javelina (wild pigs) plus many other types of wildlife. At the western entrance is Terlingua (an old ghost town) which is the home to the annual International Chili Cookoff. Farther down the road to the west along the El Camino del Rio (The River Road) scenic drive to Presidio is the town of Lajitas whose mayor is a goat (a real goat) that guzzles beer like water -- put a bottle or can near his mouth and he will grab it right out of your hand in his teeth and turn it up until it all drains into his mouth.
 * Get an idea of the size and space of Texas with a drive through the Chihuahuan Desert or through the Texas Panhandle.
 * Guadalupe Mountains National Park, at the New Mexico state line in the far western part of the state, is home to 8,749 foot Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. Another point of interest in the park is McKittrick Canyon, a rather startling oasis of maple trees and other flora and fauna that stands out in stark contrast to the aridness of the surrounding desert.
 * Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the country, was cut across the High Plains near Amarillo by a branch of the Red River, providing some really breathtaking scenery and plenty of trails to follow.

Do

 * Take a leisurely inner tube trip, floating down the Comal, Guadalupe, San Marcos, Brazos, or Frio rivers.
 * Spend the weekend living the Old West at a Dude Ranch
 * Hike and climb through the natural wonders of the Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo.
 * Enjoy live music and Western heritage at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, held every spring at Houston's Reliant Park.
 * Pique your curiosity about Texas' storied history at the Alamo in San Antonio.
 * Take in a show in Houston's Theatre District - the largest performing arts district outside of New York City.
 * Sports fans will want to see some of America's winningest and iconic professional and collegiate sports teams, including the Houston Astros, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Houston Texans, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, University of Texas Longhorns, and the Texas A&M Aggies.

Buy
Sales tax in Texas is usually between 6.25% and 8.25%. The main items exempt from sales tax include medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), food and food seeds (but prepared food such as from a restaurant, is subject to sales tax). Texas provides one sales tax holiday per year (generally in August prior to the start of the school year, running from Friday to Sunday of the designated weekend). Clothing less than $100 (except for certain items, such as golf shoes) and school supplies are exempt from all sales tax (state and local) on this one weekend only.

The major department stores in Texas include Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Kohls, and Bealls. The first three are considered to be upscale. Macy's and Dillard's is mostly midrange and most stores feature its own store brands. JCPenney, Sears, Kohls, and Bealls generally target a middle-class to working-class market.

Some noteworthy malls and shopping centers include:
 * The Galleria (Houston)
 * Katy Mills (Katy)
 * NorthPark Center (Dallas)
 * Galleria Dallas (Dallas)
 * Grapevine Mills (Grapevine)
 * Shops at La Cantera (San Antonio)
 * North Star Mall (San Antonio)
 * The Domain (Austin)
 * Barton Creek Square (Austin)
 * Cielo Vista Mall (El Paso)

In addition there are also several outlet malls in Texas of which the most important are at San Marcos, Round Rock, Texas City, Terrell, Grand Prairie, El Paso, and McAllen. In particular the outlet mall in San Marcos has been ranked as one of the best in the country, and is popular with both locals and Mexican tourists.

For those who want to buy genuine cowboy boots and other western wear, they are all over Texas.

As in the rest of the U.S., the leading convenience store chain in Texas is 7-Eleven which is coincidentally founded and based in Dallas. The three other major convenience store chains are Stripes, Buc-ee's, and Circle K.

For basic supplies, try to use supermarkets and pharmacies if possible, as they have better selection and provide better value for your money than convenience stores. The major pharmacy chains in Texas are CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. The major supermarket chains include H-E-B, Kroger, Randall's, Tom Thumb, Albertsons, United, Brookshire Brothers, and Aldi. Whole Foods Market which is based in Austin is the leading organic/natural supermarket throughout the state; and other organic/natural chains such as Trader Joe's, Central Market, and Sprouts Farmers Market have a presence in the larger cities as well. The ubiquitous discount store chains Walmart and Target both offer some groceries (Walmart Supercenters and SuperTargets offer a full selection of groceries) and also usually have pharmacies on site.

H-E-B in particular is ubiquitous in South Texas, having replaced most other chain grocers. It is well-loved by locals for good deals and its support of the community.

Eat

 * Barbecue is the mainstay of any true Texan's diet (some Texans will frown at you if you call it B-B-Q). The International Barbecue Cookoff is held annually in Taylor, TX (northeast of Austin). A Texas specialty is chopped or thinly sliced beef brisket, usually served with a slice of white bread, pickles, onions, and sauce in a separate container (although Central European-style sausage is also common). Classic sides are coleslaw, beans, and potato salad.
 * Chili is the official state dish of Texas. There are many varieties of chili, but original Texas-style chili contains no beans. The place to try all the varieties is the International Chili Cookoff, held on the first weekend in November in Terlingua, TX.
 * Tex-Mex is Mexican cuisine with Texas flair. Take ancient traditions (such as filled tortillas) and add beef, sauces, cheeses and spices, and Tex-Mex is born. Nachos, burritos, crispy tacos, crispy chalupas, chili con queso, chili con carne, chili gravy, and fajitas are all Tex-Mex inventions. Serving tortilla chips and a hot sauce or salsa con queso as an appetizer is also an original Tex-Mex combination, and one that Texan diners insist on. While Texans are generally nice people, and won't be easily offended, it's worth repeating: Tex-Mex food is most definitely not the same as Mexican food, a point locals will be all-too-happy to point out.
 * Down Home Cookin' is a blend of American and German cuisine brought about by the necessity of cooking from the back of a chuck wagon. Meals include steaks, stews, casseroles, breads and pies. There are many steakhouses around the state, notably the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Bob's Steak and Chophouse in Dallas, Fort Griffin General Merchandise in Albany and Taste of Texas steak house in Houston's west side.
 * Chicken Fried Steak is cube steak pounded until tender, breaded, and fried in a pan, usually topped with a peppery, creamy white gravy and served with a side of mashed potatoes and beans. CFS (as it's sometimes known) can be found everywhere from school cafeterias, to fast food joints, where it may be served on a sandwich, to upscale eateries (with a creative twist, of course). Its presence on the menu is a sure-fire way to tell if you're in Texas - just don't ask for it "rare" or "well done"; it's not that kind of steak!
 * Kolaches are a type of pastry that holds a dollop of fruit or other fillings such as sausage, chocolate, jalapeño-cheese, etc., rimmed by a puffy pillow of supple dough. Due to the earlier large influx of Czech settlers into Texas along with their descendants, kolaches later became extremely popular in the state and both Caldwell and West, Texas, claim the title of "Kolache Capital" of the state and most doughnut shops and convenience stores such as Shipley's Do-Nuts also sell kolaches.

Aside from those Texas staples mentioned earlier it is also relatively easy to find hole in the wall ethnic restaurants serving a wide variety of authentic ethnic cuisines from around the world, especially in large and medium sized cities thanks to the large and rapidly growing transplant/immigrant population in Texas particularly in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. In addition cities such as Austin have jump started the national trend on food trucks. These usually offer a variety of foods, usually at lower than normal prices. Some popular food trucks include East Side King, Chi’lantro, Hey Cupcake!, and the Peached Tortilla

Drink
Texas has many cities with fabulous nightlife. Some of the more notable include:

 * Austin: 6th Street and the Warehouse District.
 * Dallas: Uptown, Deep Ellum, and Greenville Avenue districts.
 * Fort Worth: the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards including the world-famous Billy Bob's Texas, which claims to be the largest Honky-Tonk in the world (it even has its own rodeo arena).  Also, in Fort Worth's surprisingly clean and vibrant downtown area,  there is Sundance Square, where one can find food, drink, and entertainment ranging from live music to first-run movies.
 * Houston: Downtown, The Heights, or Montrose.
 * Historic San Antonio: Downtown/Riverwalk, the Southtown Arts District and the Pearl Brewery District.
 * Lubbock: Depot District.

The maximum legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for adults is 0.08.

In early 2006, the controversial Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) program that allows for "public intoxication" arrests in any public area or business establishment, including bars, drew national attention. This was due to an unfortunate incident where people staying in a hotel were arrested for being intoxicated in that hotel's bar. There has been enough negative feedback from the public regarding the TABC program that it has been suspended for review.

Texas beers
Texas produces a number of famous beers, particularly German-style beers, which are available throughout the state and beyond.
 * Anheiser-Busch's Houston brewery produces Ziegen Bock, sold only in Texas.
 * Saint Arnold and Southern Star in Houston.
 * Live Oak Brewing Company and Austin Beerworks in Austin.
 * Freetail Brewing Company in San Antonio.
 * Real Ale Brewing Company in Blanco.
 * Real Ale Brewing Company in Blanco.

Texas wine & spirits
While not on the level of either Napa Valley or Sonoma Valley in California, Texas does have a burgeoning wine industry that is mainly concentrated in the Hill Country west of San Antonio and Austin and in the Panhandle region around Lubbock. Several wineries in Texas such as Llano Estacado Winery have actually won many awards. There are several wineries in and around Fredericksburg that are open to the public throughout the week, but the rest usually open their tasting rooms only on weekends.

Tito's Vodka is also produced in Texas and is unusual compared with other vodkas since it is made from yellow corn, instead of the more commonly used wheat or potatoes, resulting in a mildly sweet aftertaste, and is distilled six times.

Crime
The crime rate in Texas is relatively low. In the larger cities, if you stay in the tourist areas you will be generally safe (talk to your hotel concierge or manager if you aren't sure about a certain area). The rural areas have a very low crime rate. Texans have a reputation for carrying firearms or resolving disputes with gunfire, but such actions are not significantly more common here than in other parts of the US. Concerns about crime spilling over from Juarez across the border into El Paso are unjustified, as El Paso remains a very safe city. Of course, Juarez sadly remains a very unsafe city, and El Pasoans will very strongly advise that you do not cross the bridges.

All major cities and almost all towns have a police department, and all counties maintain a sheriff's office and multiple constable precincts. However, in some more sparsely populated areas of the state, agencies may be more understaffed and spread out. This is especially true in West Texas, where many towns are too small to operate police departments, and county sheriff's offices may be understaffed and spread out over enormous land areas. Just as in the rest of the United States, the number "911" should be called in the event of an emergency.

Policing on the state level is generally provided by the Texas Highway Patrol. This agency mainly enforces state traffic laws, but also provides more localized law enforcement services in areas like West Texas. The Texas Highway Patrol has an outstanding reputation in the United States for being extremely courteous and professional. Officers of this agency (called "troopers") can be easily recognized by their characteristic tan uniform and matching cowboy hat. The Texas Rangers, despite being internationally known and storied, are unlikely to be seen by the public and are not prominent in everyday police work. In fact, their work is more similar to that of the FBI.

Despite stories of extremely harsh and brutal justice in Texas, law is enforced in the Lone Star State in just as fair a manner as in any of the other forty-nine states.

LGBT travelers
While Texas' metro areas and South Texas are known to be quite liberal, Texas has a reputation for its conservative values and being a highly religious state. The rural areas outside of the major metropolitan areas are not LGBT-friendly.

Gun politics
Texas has a very strong gun culture, even more so than the rest of the US. Owing to its rural character, strong hunting traditions, and its many U.S. military bases, gun ownership is considered by many Texans to be a basic human right. While the vast majority of people who carry guns are kind, law-abiding people who will not cause any trouble for anyone, even if you personally oppose gun control, you should avoid discussing gun politics as it arouses many strong emotions and opinions in many Texans. Under Texan law, it is illegal for any establishments to restrict the carrying of firearms in public spaces. Texas also allows its residents to kill to defend their property (even of minimal value), rather than exclusively for self defense. Texas is one of several states in the US in which purple paint on trees or posts functions for all intents and purposes, the same as a "no trespassing" sign.

Narcotics
Texas has very tough laws regarding narcotics. Simple possession of even small amounts of any illegal substance can cause you significant and expensive legal trouble.

Near the Mexican border, it is very common to encounter CBP (Customs & Border Patrol) agents. They are generally somewhat gruff, but always professional. If you encounter a CBP roadblock while driving, relax and answer any questions calmly and honestly. The agents are looking for drug cartel members and smugglers, and are unlikely to bother the average tourist.

Heat
The startling heat of a Texas summer is not to be underestimated. Even in areas in Texas outside of the desert, it is not at all uncommon for temperatures to consistently hover around 90 to 100ºF (32 to 38 ºC) for extended periods of time, even at night during the spring and summer months. The state has experienced temperatures as high as 120ºF (49ºC), and though this extreme is rare, it is a good indicator of how hot things can get. Areas from north central Texas down to the coast also tend to experience stifling humidity during the spring and summer months, so pack accordingly with plenty of loose, light colored clothing.

Western portions of the state tend to experience higher temperatures and lower humidity. It is true that the Texas deserts are beautiful, but the heat can be dangerous without the proper precautions. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. If you are venturing off into the desert, it might be best to do so later in the afternoon once the sun has begun to lower in the sky. Do not go alone, and always let someone else know where you will be going and when you should return. If you are going to Western Texas, see Desert safety.

Hurricanes
Be aware of the weather during hurricane season on the coast (June through November). Hurricanes move slow and provide days to weeks of warning, so it is usually easy to evacuate.

Tornadoes
The eastern and central regions of Texas are within the infamous "tornado alley". Always maintain a vigilance of any severe weather threats while traveling through or to these regions of the state during the spring and summer months. Dangerous weather conditions can arise suddenly, and if a traveler is unprepared, dire consequences may result. Tornadoes in this region can be exceptionally large and deadly. If there is an imminent threat of such weather, do not stay outside to take pictures. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle. Seek immediate shelter!

Refer to the Tornado safety page for further information.

Respect
Texans usually pride themselves on being friendly and hospitable to visitors. When talking with someone, if you smile, give a firm handshake, and look them in the eye, you'll generally have a better outcome to your conversation.

Texas has a historical reputation as the home of devout evangelical Christians, and in particular Southern Baptists. This coincides with the rise of the share of Hispanic Roman Catholics. Texans are more likely to go to weekly religious services than people in most other states. In particular, people living in rural areas are strongly religious. Conservative Christian religion can have a strong influence in social and cultural life for those people. If you visit Texas, you may be invited to church, to pray, or to discuss your religion. It's best simply to show respect for your hosts and try to stay out of any longer discussions. If you are genuinely curious, asking respectful questions about others' beliefs will usually be answered in a straightforward way. As when traveling generally, it's best to avoid jokes about religious figures or things that your hosts find to be religiously significant.

Go next
The following U.S. states share borders with Texas:

 * New Mexico - Texas's western neighbor was a Spanish and then Mexican colony until the Mexican War of the 1840s, and retains a culture that is heavily influenced by its native and colonial past.
 * Oklahoma - The state's northern neighbor has been a state since only 1907 and retains some of the pioneer spirit from its early days as a frontier, along with a lot of Native American history and culture.
 * Arkansas - Texas shares a small border to the northeast with "The Natural State", which is home to the Ozark Mountains in the northwest while the south and east of the state has flatter land and shows more of its agricultural heritage.
 * Louisiana - Home to New Orleans, this state on Texas's eastern border offers a unique culture.

These Mexican states also share a border with Texas:

 * Chihuahua - The biggest state in Mexico, Chihuahua served as the battle ground between federal and revolutionary forces led by Pancho Villa and has played a crucial role in the development of high-tech enterprises in Mexico.
 * Coahuila - Mexico's top mining state, Coahuila has also been a leader in modern policies such as offering civil unions to same-sex couples and, like Baja California, plays an important role in Mexico's wine production.
 * Nuevo León - This state shares a tiny 15km border with Texas and is home to Monterrey, Mexico's third largest city.
 * Tamaulipas - Strongly focused on export-oriented manufacturers (i.e. maquiladoras), the average wage for an employee in Tamaulipas is the highest in Mexico, making Tamaulipas also a leader in education with minimal illiteracy compared to other states.

title: Texas


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Texas (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Texas:

Australia

 * Texas (Queensland) - a town in Queensland

United States of America

 * Texas - the 2nd largest and 2nd most populous state
 * Texas City - a small city in Texas.

title: Texas (disambiguation)


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Texas City

Texas City is in Galveston County and lies on the Gulf Coast of the Texas mainland.

Do
Texas City Dike is a favourite windsurfing / kitesurfing spot.

Buy
The nearby Mall of the Mainland has a selection of department stores and boutiques.

Sleep

 * La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Texas City I 45, 2900 I-45. Indoor pool. Tel: +1 409-927-5639.

Go next

 * Kemah, just north of here has a famous boardwalk.

title: Texas City


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Texel

Texel is an island in the West Frisian Islands region of the Netherlands. Tourists and birds are abundant. The tourists visit mostly in the summer.

Texel is an island with four types of landscape: dunes and beaches in the west, flatland and polders in the east and hilly in the center of the island (the remains of the ice age). Inland you find the fourth landscape - wetlands - with beautiful walking trails in the centre west coast of the island, like The Slufter. Along the wadden-coast in the east there are comparably smaller Wetlands. In the dunes, valleys like The Muy are quite popular with tourists.

Understand
The islanders call their hilly area the Hoge Berg ("High Mountain"). Its highest point is about 15 m above sea level and gives a fabulous view over the island. It's not the summit of the island. The dune Loodsmansduin in the south reaches 30 m above sea level.

The locals used to speak their own dialect, known as "Tessels". It is dying out and is being replaced by a more Standard-Dutch tongue, although still with specific words and accents. The inhabitants have their own name for the mainland: de Overkant, literally "the Other Side".

The official name is Texel. The x in it is normally pronounced as ss, so the name sounds like "Tessel". In Standard-Dutch, the correct pronunciation is Tessel, but a lot of Dutch people pronounce it with an x-sound. The locals however always pronounce it as "Tessel".

The following villages are on Texel:

The information center is located in Den Burg:

Get in
As Texel is an island, the only realistic way to get to it is by ferry. Teso operates a 30-min ferry trip from Den Helder to Texel. Ferries depart from 06:30 until 21:30, every hour, with less departures on Sunday. In summer and on busy days, two boats are deployed. Ferries dock at 't Horntje along the southern end of the island. From there, buses bring you to the larger villages.

Den Helder can be reached by train. The ride to Den Helder station takes 1 hour and 15 minutes from Amsterdam and 2 hours from Rotterdam. At the station, bus 33 takes you to the ferry pier, or you can walk the bit through town.

Getting there by car is also an option. From the south (Amsterdam), take the A9 to Alkmaar. The A9 stops at the traffic lights in Alkmaar. From there, take a left at the roundabout as the road changes into the N9. Keep following the N9 till you arrive at Den Helder. From the east (Friesland/Groningen/Germany) you can take the A7 motorway across the Afsluitdijk dam to Den Oever, and then N99 expressway to Den Helder. Cars can be taken on the ferry to Texel. On busy days (e.g., the Easter weekend) there can be traffic jams for the ferry.

By bike
The island is best experienced by bicycle, especially in summer. There are many place to rent bikes on the island.

By bus
Public transport busses run each hour to each village and connect to the hourly ferry services (but not to any additional sailings). You can buy tickets at the driver; a map of bus lines is available at the Connexxion website.

By car
For parking at paid parking lots or parking zones you can either pay individually (€2.50 per hour in 2014), but in case you stay for longer than over the weekend, purchasing a yearly parking vignette might be a good idea (€15 in 2014). Add the vignette to the collection of dozens of other vignettes on your front screen and you can park in designated areas without additional charges. There are however some time limitations at some of the parking lots, which are explained in the brochure that comes with the vignette and the signs at the parking lots. The stickers can be purchased for example in the VVV information centre in Den Burg or in supermarkets.

See
The whole western coast consists of the Duinen van Texel National Park, a protected nature reserve. It is a varied dunescape with heath, salt fens and grassland, and is the best attraction Texel has to offer. Some areas are protected as bird breeding grounds.

Some other attractions include:

Do

 * There are many activities you can do on the isle of Texel, including swimming, sunbathing, kitesurfing, golfing and go-karting. Cycling and hiking through the nature reserve are particularly popular. You can rent bicycles at the ferry pier 't Horntje and in the other villages.
 * Cycling: English-language cycle routes on Texel are the South Route and the North Route, which can be combined into one long trip around the island.

Buy
Den Burg has the largest facilities for shopping.

Eat
Additionally, there are supermarkets on the island, there is one, albeit small, in nearly every village on Texel.

Drink
As most travellers stay in De Koog, this is where the island's nightlife takes place. There are many bars and cafes, and it even feels a bit seedy at night.

Sleep
A lot of hotels and campsites are found on Texel.

Connect
There is a post office in the centre of Den Burg, at the corner of the Burgwal and Parkstraat.

Go next
During the summer a special touristic boat service to the neighboring island of Vlieland, is available. This boat leaves near De Cocksdorp. The Wadden Sea sealife is also seen on this trip. From the village of Oudeschild, which has a harbour that is mainly used for fishing, a boat called Texel 44 can take you to the island of Terschelling. You can go back to Den Helder by boat and explore the rest of the Netherlands from there.

title: Texel


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Texhoma

Texhoma is a pair of towns along the Texas-Oklahoma border, in the Red Carpet Country region of Oklahoma and the High Plains region of Texas.

Go next

 * Boise City
 * Guymon

title: Texhoma


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Texola

Texola is a ghost town in the Great Plains Country of Oklahoma, situated at the Texas border as the westernmost settlement in Oklahoma.

Understand
A small agricultural community established in the early 1900s, Texola was a stop on the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad (1902) and US Route 66 (1926) near the 100⁰W meridian which separates Texas from Oklahoma. The town grew from 361 people (in 1910) to 581 people at its peak (in 1930), then began a long, slow decline in the 1940s. By 2010, just three dozen people still remained.

Sleep
Texola has little or no lodging. Try nearby Erick, Oklahoma to the east on Interstate 40.

title: Texola


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Teyateyaneng

Teyateyaneng (or TY as it is affectionately known to the locals) is a town near Lesotho's north-western border. It is a craft centre, and has a good market for locally produced goods and crafts.

Get in
From Maseru, take the A1 to Teya-Teyaneng. It's about 45 minutes drive on a virtually pothole free tarmac road.

See

 * Setsoto Design Weaving Gallery. A 'factory' for tapestries, where you can see Sotho women making tapestries in traditional fashion. It also has a small shop where you can buy souvenirs and tapestries for a good price. You can find it near the Blue Mountain Inn, follow the signs from the A1 which goes through Teya-Teyaneng.

Sleep
Blue Mountain Inn.

title: Teyateyaneng


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Tezpur

A city in Lower Assam, Tezpur (Assamese: তেজপুৰ Tejpur, Hindi: तेजपुर Tejpur) is the largest city in the northern banks of the Brahmaputra River. It houses numerous sites of historical significance of the Ahom Kingdom and is also mentioned in several Hindu Puranic scriptures.

Understand
Tezpur (tehz-poor or tehj-poor - not to be confused with the similar-sounding Dispur) is the administrative headquarters of the Sonitpur district of Assam. The city's existence dates back to the Vedic period. It is a major tourist hotspot with a growing commercial market. It has numerous tea plantations and acts as a gateway to Arunachal Pradesh through Bhalukpong.

History
The name Tezpur means  ' town of blood ' . According to Hindu Puranic scriptures, the ruler of Sonitpur, Banasura had a daughter named Usha. Banasura locked her up in a fortress called Agnigarh as many young suitors had come to him asking for her hand. Once in a dream, Usha fell in love with Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. Usha's friend Chitralekha who was an artist helped Usha portray Aniruddha. Chitralekha, through her supernatural powers, abducted Aniruddha from the palace of Krishna and brought him to Sonitpur. When Banasura came to know about this, he started a war with Lord Krishna which ended up in bloodshed. This justifies the name of the town. At the end of the war, Banasura was defeated by Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna forgave Banasura as he pleaded for his life. Lord Krishna then married his grandson Aniruddha to Bana's daughter Usha and the war ended on a happy note. The city has numerous ruins dating back to 9th and 10th centuries of the Gupta period. Antiquities found at the Da Parbatia are inferred to have been from a temple complex built during the 5th or 6th century, prior to the Bhaskaravarman period.

During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces Tenth Air Force used Tezpur Airport as a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber base for the 7th Bombardment Group.

During the Sino-Indian War in 1962, the People's Liberation Army of China penetrated close to the outskirts of the city. The local government ordered the evacuation of the civilians in Tezpur to the south of the Brahmaputra River, all prisoners were released, and government officials who stayed behind destroyed Tezpur's currency reserves in anticipation of a Chinese advance. Due to this, the Indian Armed Forces have a significant presence in the city till today.

Climate
Tezpur has a moderate climate characterised by heavy rainfall during the monsoons and slight rainfall with isolated thunderstorms from October to March. The city does not experience very high temperatures at any time of the year. The daily maximum temperature is 36 °C (96.8 °F) in August, the hottest month and the daily minimum temperature is 8.9 °C (48 °F) in January, the coldest month.

Get in
Being one of the most developed cities in the region, Tezpur is well connected by airways, railways, roadways as well as waterways.

By plane
Tezpur has a civil enclave airport with daily regional services from Guwahati and Pasighat. All flights are operated by Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India. The airport is also known as Salonibari Airport, named after its locality, Salonibari. Only ATR-42 and ATR-72 aircraft operate through here.

By train

Dekargaon Railway Station serves the city. It handles daily passenger and goods services. Being at the end of the route, this is the last railway station. The main railway station is Rangapara North Junction. It handles daily passenger and goods traffic to major cities of India.

By car
Tezpur is well connected by national highways and state highways. The city is linked with other towns and districts in the region.
 * Coming from Dhekiajuli, go via NH-15
 * Coming from Biswanath Chariali, go via NH-15
 * Coming from Jakhalabandha, go via NH-715
 * Coming from Nagaon, go via SH-3, then NH-715

By bus
Tezpur is well connected by bus services. Assam State Transport Corporation, a government owned road transport service, operates buses in the city. Buses connect almost all the cities in Assam daily. Tickets can be booked online at ASTC's website or through the RedBus. Timetable is available in the RedBus website. There are air-conditioned buses as well as ordinary buses. Apart from these, private buses are also available. Private buses are crowdy and might be uncomfortable for travellers.

By boat
Tezpur is situated along the National Waterway 2 (NW-2) on the Brahmaputra river. The city handles daily cargo services. There are numerous ferries offering rides at a reasonable rate to nearby river islands.

Get around
Getting around Tezpur can be quite hectic. There are e-rickshaws, public transportation like buses, and rental cars. E- Rickshaw operators can charge huge fares on seeing a tourist. Usually e-rickshaw rides are short and cost ₹10-20 per person (as of 2022). It is recommended to use e-rickshaws instead of public transport to go around in the city as public transport vehicles are packed with people, at least most of the times. Walkarounds are usually safe and can be done easily. Cycling is a good option but don't expect anything like Copenhagen.

Going to villages and nearby towns is surely a good idea but e-rickshaws and other private vehicles are a bit overpriced. Public transportation like bus or train is recommended.

Do
The city is full of historical wonders. Visit the archaeological sites and temples to relish the history of the city. The city's market, Chowk Bazaar is always active with stores for everything. Roam all around, hang out with friends, get out for dinner, enjoy with family in the parks.

Watch movies
There are numerous movie theatres in the city. All of the theatres have eateries. Here are the most popular ones-

Events
There are various clubs around the city that regularly organise musical events and fairs. Tezpur, being a city in Assam, the festival of Bihu is celebrated here too with great joy. People are filled with joy and enjoy the occasion to the fullest. People distribute sweets and pithas (similar to pancakes, dumplings or fritters). Painting sessions are also organised in Chitralekha Udayan.

Learn
Tezpur has a university which is accredited to the NAAC with A grade. It offers all types of courses ranging from B.Tech, Ph.D and M.Tech among others. The city also has a college and many other institutions.

Work
Due to rapid modernisation in the city in the recent years, many companies have established locations in the city and most of them have numerous vacancies for job positions. There is not much work opportunities for foreign travelers but both international and domestic visitors can help out NGOs and educational institutions.

Buy

There are many agglomerated markets in the city. The major ones are, and. Stores offering almost all kinds of necessities are available in both the markets.

Eat
Tezpur has a number of restaurants all around the city. With street side vendors to luxurious restaurants, you can find food from all ranges here. Here are the ones worth mentioning:

Drink
You can have some beer and other drinks at most of the bars. There are numerous wine shops around the city. The one legal and socially accepted way to consume cannabis is as bhang, a low-grade preparation sold at government-licensed shops. You can get bhang in shops near temples. Note that drinking in public is normally frowned upon. For refreshments, a cup of tea or coffee is the best. You can visit cafés for some espresso and soft drinks are available almost everywhere. The Zoral bar in Hotel KRC Palace is considered the best bar in the city.

Sleep
There are numerous hotels, lodges and motels in and around the city offering stays at reasonable prices. Here are the some of the most popular ones:

Connect
Cell phone coverage in the city is excellent. There are three major service providers offering a wide variety of plans. Among them are Airtel, VI (formerly Vodafone) and Jio.

To call Tezpur from abroad you will need to dial the international prefix for your country, followed by India's country code +91. If you want to dial a landline no. from a mobile, then you have to add the area code of Tezpur, 03712 before the number.

Internet services are unreliable in some parts of the city. Most stores have broadband connections. Dekargaon railway station has free high-speed Wi-fi services but you need an Indian mobile number to register and receive the one-time password.

Postal services
The PIN code for Tezpur is 784001. The PIN code is necessary for sending and receiving shipments to and from any city in India. India Post has a wide coverage in Tezpur, providing both domestic and international services. Apart from this, private courier services are also available which also offer fast domestic and international services. Some of the popular ones are DTDC, Gati-KWE and Blue Dart (part of DHL). Services of FedEx can also be availed at a slightly higher cost, as its nearest hub is located in Guwahati.

Emergency numbers
Here are some emergency numbers in case you need any help.

Police
Sonitpur Police will always help you. The police regularly patrols the city ensuring safety of the citizens.

For immediate police assistance, dial 100 or 112. To report a crime, visit the nearest police station.

Cope
Power in the city is managed by Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL). For power related issues you can contact. All commercial complexes and markets have power backup facilities. You can navigate around the city using Google Maps.

Veterinary
There are many medical and grooming stores for animals around the city.

Go next

 * Guwahati, the commercial capital of Assam, is 180 km from Tezpur.
 * Nameri National Park is a national park 35 km from Tezpur on the Tezpur-Bhalukpong-Bomdila route. It has more than 600 floral species with habitats for numerous animal and bird species.
 * Kaziranga National Park located about 50 km from Tezpur. Known for its forests, wetlands and grasslands which are home to tigers, elephants and the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses.
 * Pakke Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary in near Bhalukpong which is known for hornbill watching. It also houses tigers and elephants.

title: Tezpur


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Thaba Bosiu

Thaba Bosiu is the mountain stronghold from where King Moshoeshoe I established and ruled over the Kingdom of Lesotho in the 19th century, fighting off wave after wave of attacks by white settlers and hostile African armies. Still today, the kings and queens of Lesotho are buried here.

The place is basically a hill 10 km from Maseru and is worth a visit if you are looking for an easy day trip from Maseru - there is an information centre where a guide will give you a run down of the history of King Moshoeshoe and the birth of the Basotho nation and then you can climb up and explore on your own.

Get in
From Maseru, follow the signs to Roma. Eventually you will see a sign to Thaba Bosiu. The gravel/tarmac road is suitable for saloon cars.

See
King Moshoeshoe is buried on Thaba Bosiu along with many other royals.

A 'cultural village' is being built nearby, but is not complete yet.

title: Thaba Bosiu


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Thaba-Tseka

Thaba-Tseka is a city of about 15,000 people (2016) in Lesotho.

Get in
From Maseru the distance is about 140 km which can take up to 4½ hr if not equipped with a 4x4 drive. Most of the road is new and tar, however about 20 km is gravel. On that stretch there are no petrol stations or stores/facilities.

See
In Thaba-Tseka there are shopping facilities, a bank, a post office, various institutions of relief organizations, and a hospital.

title: Thaba-Tseka


text:
Thackerville

Thackerville is a city in Oklahoma, on the border of Oklahoma and Texas.

Get in
Thackerville is just off I-35.

title: Thackerville