Try your hand at this Oklahoma trivia. I’ll have the answers for you tomorrow:

1. What is the English translation of the Choctaw word “Oklahoma”?

2. What are the two major river basins in the state?

3. What is the State Flower?

4. How many flags have flown over the land that became the State of Oklahoma? What was the first flag to fly over this land?

5. The Department of Tourism and Recreation has divided the state into six “countries” for the purposes of marketing. Can you name Oklahoma’s six tourist countries?

6. The Governor and the State Arts Council have recognized eleven of our state’s citizens as Oklahoma Cultural Treasures. Who was named the state’s first Cultural Treasure?

7. The names of five Oklahoma counties begin with the letter “G.” Can you name them?

8. What is the largest Oklahoma county in land area? What is the smallest?

9. What Oklahoma Governor never married?

10. How many Oklahomans have been named Rhodes Scholars?

*Thanks to Bill and Connie for helping with the Almanac posts, and they know the answers!

The arrival of a new edition of the Oklahoma Almanac is always a cause for celebration here in Okie Land. Previously known as The Directory of Oklahoma, the official State Government Blue Book has been published since 1907. (Oklahoma’s first state government handbook was actually known as the Red Book, but don’t get us started!) It has been published by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries since 1987.

The volume contains information on such topics as agriculture, astronomy, climatology, commerce, demographics, education, elections, geology, museums, tourism, wildlife, and federal, state, county, and municipal government. The history section provides insight into the prehistoric and the nomadic groups who traversed the area. Moreover it explores the earliest Native American and European settlements to the creation of both Indian and Oklahoma territories and eventually statehood.

“This 2009-2010 edition’s theme is State of the Arts. A special section focuses on a variety of art forms and mediums located throughout the state,” said Oklahoma Almanac editor Connie Armstrong.” “Oklahoma has a rich artistic tradition, one which continues today. We wanted to showcase the arts and artists in our state and encourage citizens and visitors to attend a local theatre production, arts festival, gallery showing, poetry reading, or museum.”

The Almanac’s feature section includes essays on the visual, performing, and literary arts, as well as art in public places. Moreover, readers will find information on art museums, Oklahoma’s artistic heritage, historic and modern architecture, and individuals who have been named an Oklahoma Cultural Treasure.

Copies will be speeding to public and tribal libraries in the state. You can get your very own copy, though. Find out how to do this at:

http://www.odl.state.ok.us/almanac

The cost is $15, plus $3 if we ship it to you. Well worth it, if we do say so ourselves.