I agree with you Mrkim that Texas is one of the few US states that I would recognize just from it's outline - the other obvious one to me being Alaska. However I also feel there are other places in the world that would also be recognisable to anybody with a little geographic knowledge. NZ, Australia and Greenland I think are recognisable, probably because they are island nations (although interestingly I think I would struggle with other island nations, such as Iceland, Madagascar or Sri Lanka). I also think Chile with it's long thin shape would be on the list along with Thailand (it looks a little like an Elephant's head) and Italy (it looks like a boot).

As for running down Texas, I have never been there and have met few Texans (or at least few that I remember meeting) so can't really comment. It's just fun seeing you guys getting all riled up.

Pride in where you come from, or currently live, is not unique to Texas and I believe is quite common. It's also a good thing. When the first comments were posted that put Texas down I was pretty certain you guys would speak up.

Blah, the West Coast of the South Island here in NZ sounds a lot like the Oregon of old you described. I remember talking to a guy who had lived there for 30 years and he still got referred to as "the new guy", "the import" or "the foreigner". That was a while ago now, so attitudes there might have changed since too.