Major Industries Industries Home Texas longhorns grazing beneath oil derricks are a good symbol of Texas' economy. Texas' agricultural industry ranks second only to California, and it's number one in mineral wealth. Industries include oil refining and the manufacture of machinery, transportation equipment, food products, and chemicals. The manufacture of high-technology electronic equipment has also become important, as represented by Texas Instruments. Tourism is important, popular destinations including Padre Island National Seashore, Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains national parks, and the Alamo.
Commercial fishing is important along the Gulf Coast.
With one third of the nation's known oil reserves, Texas ranked 1st in crude oil production in 1999 and is among the top 18 coal-producing states. The Texas Panhandle is one of the world's great natural-gas reservoirs. Texas is also a leading producer of natural graphite, magnesium and sulfur. Finally, Texas ranked 6th in honey production in 1999. Top ports, in order of importance, are Brownsville-Port Isabel, Palacios, Galveston, Port Arthur, Freeport, Aransas and Seabrook.