Every state in America has something that makes it stand out, but Texas is on a whole different level. As the second-largest state in the U.S., Texas covers over 268’000 square miles of diverse geography, from the arid deserts of the west to the lush pine forests of the east. But despite this variety, one part of Texas has remained notably underpopulated—East Texas. Why do so few people here? And what makes it so different from the rest of the state, especially the booming West or center?