TEXAS REGIONS
Objectives Know the 4 regions of Texas Understand the different physical & human characteristics of each region Understand how physical differences affect human characteristics (way of life)
Can you name the Regions of Texas? *Coastal Plains *North Central Plains *Great Plains *Mountains and Basins
Gulf Coastal Plains
Location Covers 1/3 of the land of Texas Northeast border is the Sabine River Southeast border is the Gulf of Mexico West border is the Balcones Escarpment
Physical Features *Wooded land and Coastal sands *Big Thicket National Preserve- forest in SE Texas *Rivers- Brazos, Colorado, Trinity *Good soil along rivers
Cities Houston Dallas (on the border of Central Plains) San Antonio Texarkana Corpus Christi Brownsville
Climate Hot, damp, and humid Tornadoes and Hurricanes 30-55 inches of rain per year
Way of life. The gulf coast is a major center of economic activity. The marshlands provide breeding grounds for ocean life, which make the fish and shrimp businesses very important. Seafood! The port of Houston is one of the 10 busiest ports in the world.
Entertainment & Recreation *Johnson Space Center *Kemah Board Walk *Minute Maid Park (Astros) *Toyota Center (Rockets) *Cowboy Stadium (Cowboys) *NRG Stadium (Texans)
North Central Plains
Location The Great Plains include the Llano Estacado, the Panhandle, Edwards Plateau, Toyah Basin and the Llano Uplift. It is border on the east by the Caprock Escarpment in the panhandle and by the Balcones Fault to the southeast. *Picture of Edwards Plateau
Cities Austin Waco Fredericksburg Llano The Hill Country is a popular name for the area of hills along the Balcones Fault and is a transitional area between the Great Plains and the Gulf Coastal Plains.
Climate Central Texas is shaped by its many rivers and hills. The climate is subtropical. In a single year the region can receive up to 48 inches of rain, and flooding is common near rivers and in low lying areas.
Culture (Way of Life) In the summer, one of the favorite activities is floating down a creek or river in an inner tube (tubing). Spring is a time for residents to drive the winding back roads and take in the rainbow of colors produced by the blooming wildflowers, including Bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush. In the fall and winter, hunters visit in hopes of taking home a white-tailed deer. Some of the favorite local cuisines are barbecue and a variation on traditional Mexican food affectionately referred to as Tex-Mex.
The Great Plains
Location Northeast Texas Colorado and Red Rivers are the borders.
Geographic (physical) Features Rolling grassy lands Thick grasses Cross Timbers area - large areas of hardwood trees Limestone rock Higher elevation because limestone doesn't wear down easily
Cities Amarillo Lubbock Abilene San Angelo Wichita Falls
Climate Dry air Tornados 20-30 inches of rain per year Windy
Way of Life Farming - fruits, vegetables, watermelons, oats Ranching - cattle, angora goats (mohair) Cedar trees - fenceposts Oil and gas
Mountains and Basins
Location Far west Texas East border near Pecos River South border is the Rio Grande North border is New Mexico
Cities El Paso Pecos Kermit & Monahans in Permian Basin area Fort Davis, Marfa, & Alpine in Mountain area
Climate Driest part of state 8 inches of rain per year, 20 in mountains Hot days, cool nights
Way of Life Ranching - cattle, sheep, goat Farming - cotton, fruits, vegetables, cantaloupes (irrigation in El Paso and Pecos River Valley) Oil and gas - part of Permian Basin