Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,617,316 residents in 2007 and a land area of 68,667 square miles, Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state. The state's name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning "red people", and is known informally by its nickname, The Sooner State. Formed from the Indian Territory on November 16, 1907, Oklahoma was the 46th state to enter the union. Its residents are known as Oklahomans, and its capital and largest city is Oklahoma City.
In the state's largest urban areas, pockets of jazz culture flourish, and Native American, Mexican, and Asian enclaves produce music and art of their respective cultures. The Oklahoma Mozart Festival in Bartlesville is one of the largest classical music festivals in the southern United States, and Oklahoma City's Festival of the Arts has been named one of the top fine arts festivals in the nation. The Tulsa Ballet, one of the state's five major city ballet companies, is rated as one of the top ballet companies in the United States by the New York Times. The University of Oklahoma's dance program, formed by ballerina Yvonne Chouteau and husband Miguel Terekhov in 1962 was the first fully-accredited program of its kind in the United States. In Sand Springs, an outdoor amphitheater called "Discoveryland!" is the official performance headquarters for the musical Oklahoma! Historically, the state has produced musical styles such as The Tulsa Sound and Western Swing, which was popularized at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa. The building, known as the "Carnegie Hall of Western Swing", served as the performance headquarters of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys during the 1930s.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma - State affiliate of the ACLU. News and information about issues, legal actions, and advocacy, with suggestions for action.
Citizens For Effective Justice - A loosely-knit organization of people who want changes made in the way the criminal justice system deals with the problems of crime and prison overcrowding, taking an active role in accomplishing change.
Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants - Oklahoma chapter of the national organization, dedicated to the reduction of crime through reform of the criminal justice system.
Hopes and Dreams Foundation - A non-profit volunteer organization to inspire children who have terminal illnesses, life-threatening medical conditions, or are physically challenged.
Newcomers Club Directory - Directory of clubs and organizations in Oklahoma which are designed to give people new to the area the opportunity to meet and develop friendships with others who live in the area.
Oklahoma Areawide Services Information System - OASIS is a statewide information and referral service that can help locate resources for a variety of social services and health care needs.
Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters - Business and technoligical resource for radio and television professionals, including a job bank for those looking to work in Oklahoma radio and television.
Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives - State wide association created and voluntarily supported by local electric distribution and generation/transmission cooperatives.
Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc. - Organized to protect, promote, and expand the rights of people with disabilities and mental illness.
Oklahoma Foreign Language Teachers' Association - Promotes the study of foreign languages and provides support to those who teach them.
Oklahoma LionNet - Gateway and directory page for Lions Clubs statewide.
Oklahoma Parent eNetwork - An electronic network of parents of children with disabilities residing in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma State Rabbit Breeders Association - Club, membership, and upcoming show information.
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