You probably already know that Oklahoma has a proud and rich Native American heritage that thrives today with more than 67 tribes that call Oklahoma home. But did you also know that in Oklahoma you'll find a prosperous Asian community in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, a growing Hispanic community throughout the state, and a strong Italian community in southeast Oklahoma? Here are some other things you might not know about Oklahoma's rich cultural diversity.
Rural towns and communities have strong ties to European immigrant ancestors. The Czechs and Bohemians have built Yukon into a strong, growing community to the west of Oklahoma City.
In the southeastern part of the state, the Italian culture thrives in McAlester. In the fall, throughout Oklahoma, Oktoberfests capture the traditions of our German ancestors, including the celebration in Tulsa that is one of the largest in the country.
More than 250,000 Native Americans from more than 67 tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, Seminole, Osage, Cheyenne, Sac and Fox, Delaware, Apache, and Pawnee, call Oklahoma their home today. Cherokee Enterprises is one of the state's largest employers.
More languages are spoken within the borders of Oklahoma than in all of Europe, a testament to the size and influence of the Indian tribes represented in the state.
Oklahoma extends a special invitation to international students to pursue higher education in our state. Nearly 9,000 foreign students, rpresenting 165 countries study at Oklahoma's public and proviate colleges and universities. The top five countries of international student origin are India, Japan, China, Taiwan and Malaysia.
The state is also the setting for vast horse and cattle ranches, rodeos and working cowboys. Such famous cowboys as Bill Pickett, Tom Mix and Gene Autry hail from Oklahoma.
According to figures from the 2000 U.S. Census, Oklahoma's population by race is: White, 76.2 percent; African American, 7.6 percent; American Indian, 7.9 percent; Asian, 1.4 percent; Hispanic or Latino, 5.2 percent.
While the Baptist and Methodist churches are among the oldest and most prevalent, other Protestant denominations are well represented in Oklahoma.
Catholicism and Judaism are also present, and, in the state's larger cities, Islamic mosques and Buddhist temples stand alongside the churches that embody the state's older religious roots.
Organizations such as the Respect Diversity Foundation, the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma and the Tulsa Global Alliance continuously work to create a better understanding and appreciation of all cultures and faiths found in the state.
Tulsa ranks as one of the most generous cities in the country when it comes to the number of volunteer hours per resident.
Rural towns and communities have strong ties to European immigrant ancestors. The Czechs and Bohemians have built Yukon into a strong, growing community to the west of Oklahoma City.