What’s the historical reason it wasn’t included in one of the other states?

When Texas sought to enter the Union in 1845 as a slave state, federal law in the United States, based on the Missouri Compromise, prohibited slavery north of 36°30’ parallel north. Under the Compromise of 1850, Texas surrendered its lands north of 36°30’ latitude.

Oklahoman here! I’ve personally haven’t spent much time in this part of the state. It’s was historically referred to as “No Man’s Land” if that gives you any idea. The panhandle has a much more arid, high plains type climate than other parts of the state. I believe there are literal sand dunes out that way. Oklahoma’s highest point, Black Mesa, is in the panhandle. Im told Black Mesa is a great camping spot for star-gazing, but I’ve never been. As far as I’m aware it’s mostly right-wing but jobs living in that area. I seem to recall a few local news stories about people in that part of the state making a big stink about trans kids trying to use the bathroom and so forth.

Wind, sand, dirt, and poverty

Former Texan here: slavery is why that exists. They ceded the land so they could enter the union as a slave state.

It’s pretty much the heart of where the dust bowl of the 1930s was. Most of the people who lived there left and never came back. They moved to places like Bakersfield, California, which is a big part of how you get the “Bakersfield Sound” in country music with guys like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.

Weddings where everyone sits on the same side of the church and some of the worst maintained roads in America.

Meth and cousins is what gets done in those there parts.