Oklahoma Panhandle, Geographic region in northwestern Oklahoma, US.
The Oklahoma Panhandle is a narrow strip of land in northwestern Oklahoma that stretches between Kansas to the north, Colorado to the northwest, New Mexico to the west, and Texas to the south. This region consists of three counties and reaches about 55 kilometers at its widest point, while extending more than 265 kilometers to the east.
Between 1850 and 1890, this strip of land remained without formal affiliation because federal laws prohibited slavery north of the 36th parallel and no other administration claimed responsibility for it. The region was only incorporated as part of Oklahoma Territory in 1890, after settlers and ranchers had begun to establish themselves there.
Native Plains tribes initially inhabited this region, establishing agricultural settlements and developing corn cultivation techniques before European exploration began.
The landscape is flat and treeless, with wide fields and pasture land stretching under an often cloudless sky. Strong winds and extreme temperature swings between summer and winter shape the climate, so visitors should prepare for changing conditions.
Black Mesa in western Cimarron County reaches 1,516 meters (4,973 feet) above sea level and marks the highest point in Oklahoma. From the top, you can see the borders of Colorado, Kansas, and New Mexico at the same time.
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