Texas is the second largest state in both area and population, and the largest state in the country. Located in the south central states, Texas is bordered by Mexico. Texas has a growing population of 24.6 million residents. Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States, while Dallas–Fort Worth is the largest metropolitan area in the state and the fourth-largest in the nation. Other major cities include San Antonio, El Paso, and Austin—the state capital. Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State.