A Comparison and Contrast of Austin and Dallas
The Lone Star Showdown
Senator William Blakely once said, “Texas is neither southern nor western. Texas is Texas.” Although this well-stated quote exemplifies the pride that Texans have for their home state, the blanket proclamation is one that fails to distinguish the unique characteristics found in nearly every region of the Lone Star state. A quote that offers a much more accurate description and distinguishes the diversity of each region was made by the professional golfer Lee Trevino when he stated, “If you’ve ever driven across Texas, you know how different one area of the state can be from another. Take El Paso. It looks as much like Dallas as I look like Jack Nicklaus.” The quote is a metaphor that juxtaposes the characteristics shared between El Paso and Dallas to the physical similarities shared between Jack Nicklaus, one of the most successful golfers of all time, and Lee Trevino, a highly decorated Mexican-American golfer.
Now, more than ever, there are growing numbers of differences between each region in Texas than there are similarities. Two such regions that have undoubtedly diverged from their common ancestry are the Dallas-Fort Worth “Metroplex” area and the Austin “Hill Country” region. From sports and transportation, to leisure activities and geography, each area boasts its own culture that is neither superior nor lesser to its Lone Star counterpart.
Dallas
In 2011, the official U.S. Census ranked the Metroplex as the largest metropolitan area in the south. The expanse, which also accounts for Plano, Irving, Arlington, as well as a range of other small cities, is estimated to encompass over 6.5 million residents, each contributing to the unique culture of the expansive territory. The region is distinctive in that majority of the land is categorized as blackland prairie, with elevations ranging from 450 feet to 550 feet above sea level. Also, the Metroplex is located in a humid subtropical climate zone that is characterized by hot,
Senator William Blakely once said, “Texas is neither southern nor western. Texas is Texas.” Although this well-stated quote exemplifies the pride that Texans have for their home state, the blanket proclamation is one that fails to distinguish the unique characteristics found in nearly every region of the Lone Star state. A quote that offers a much more accurate description and distinguishes the diversity of each region was made by the professional golfer Lee Trevino when he stated, “If you’ve ever driven across Texas, you know how different one area of the state can be from another. Take El Paso. It looks as much like Dallas as I look like Jack Nicklaus.” The quote is a metaphor that juxtaposes the characteristics shared between El Paso and Dallas to the physical similarities shared between Jack Nicklaus, one of the most successful golfers of all time, and Lee Trevino, a highly decorated Mexican-American golfer.
Now, more than ever, there are growing numbers of differences between each region in Texas than there are similarities. Two such regions that have undoubtedly diverged from their common ancestry are the Dallas-Fort Worth “Metroplex” area and the Austin “Hill Country” region. From sports and transportation, to leisure activities and geography, each area boasts its own culture that is neither superior nor lesser to its Lone Star counterpart.
Dallas
In 2011, the official U.S. Census ranked the Metroplex as the largest metropolitan area in the south. The expanse, which also accounts for Plano, Irving, Arlington, as well as a range of other small cities, is estimated to encompass over 6.5 million residents, each contributing to the unique culture of the expansive territory. The region is distinctive in that majority of the land is categorized as blackland prairie, with elevations ranging from 450 feet to 550 feet above sea level. Also, the Metroplex is located in a humid subtropical climate zone that is characterized by hot,