Austin VS. Dallas Compare and Contrast (Draft #1)

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 and differences of each city/region was made by 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 similarities shared between El Paso and Dallas to the physical similarities shared between Jack Nicklaus, one of the most decorated golfers of all time, and Lee Trevino, a Mexican-American golfer.
Now, more than ever, there are more 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 music, to leisure activities and geography, each area boasts its own culture that is neither superior nor lesser to its counterpart.
In 2011, the official U.S. Census ranked the Dallas-Fort Worth area 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, which each contribute to the unique culture of “The Metroplex.” The territory is unique in that majority of the land is categorized as blackland prairies, with elevations ranging from 450 feet to 550 feet above sea level. Additionally,