Oklahomapanhandle

Oklahomapanhandle, commonly referred to as the Oklahoma Panhandle, is the westernmost region of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is a rectangular strip about 34 miles wide (east to west) and roughly 165 miles long (north to south), extending from the northern border with Kansas to the southern border with Texas. Its western boundary meets the borders with Colorado and New Mexico, while its eastern boundary adjoins the rest of Oklahoma.

Historically, the area sat outside the main borders of Indian Territory and Texas in the 19th century, known as No Man's Land. It was incorporated into Oklahoma Territory after the Organic Act of 1890 and became part of the state of Oklahoma at statehood in 1907. The region’s settlement developed as agriculture and ranching intensified in the early 20th century, with communities arising to serve farming districts and cattle operations.

The panhandle is part of the High Plains and has a semi-arid climate, characterized by hot summers, cold winters, and relatively low rainfall. The population is sparse, and the economy is predominantly rural, with dryland farming and cattle ranching as major activities. Guymon is the largest city, and Boise City serves as the county seat of Cimarron County. Panhandle State University is located in Goodwell, near the border with Texas, and serves as a key regional institution.

Notable features include the Black Mesa in Cimarron County, Oklahoma’s highest point, which stands as a geographic landmark in the northwest. The region also hosts wind-energy development and longstanding ranching and farming communities that shape its cultural and economic landscape.