Regions of Texas

How many regions are in Texas? 4 How many regions are in Texas? Great Plains North Central Plains Mountains and Basins Coastal Plains What region is Fort Worth in?

Can you name the 4 Regions of Texas? Great Plains North Central Plains Mountains and Basins Coastal Plains

Texas Regions 2. North Central Plains 1. Great Plains 1 2 3 4 3. Coastal Plains 4. Mountains and Basins

Texas is a vast state made up of many different natural elements and terrains. The 3 largest states in the United States are: 1st largest is ………………………. 2nd largest is ……………………….. 3rd largest is ………………………..

Texas is the 2nd largest state in the United States. Traveling across Texas you will see everything from forests to mountains to beaches to plains.

The 4 Regions of Texas are What region do we live in? Gulf Coastal Plains Region The 4 Regions of Texas are Great Plains Central Plains Gulf Coastal Plains Mountains and Basins

Regions of Texas Each region has different natural resources. This allows Texas to be one of the most self-sufficient states in the country. Do you know what SELF-SUFFICIENT means?

CENTRAL PLAINS

CENTRAL PLAINS Location Center part of the state Hill Country in the southern part Bordered by the Cap Rock Escarpment on the west Bordered by the Balcones Escarpment on the east

Central Plains Cities Austin Waco Fredericksburg Llano Fort Worth Wichita Falls Abilene 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.

Central Plains Physical Features Prairies Forests in the Cross Timbers Rolling Plains and Hills Variety of trees Small shrubs Limestone rock - Thick grass

CENTRAL PLAINS PHYSICAL FEATURES AFFECT INDUSTRY Rich soils support farm industries Natural resources have spurred other industries

Central Plains flat and rolling hills; grasslands GRAND PRAIRIE wet and mild climate; thin soil CROSS TIMBERS sandy soil ROLLING PLAINS grasslands; hilly terrain; steep valleys; rivers well suited for cattle, other livestock; Fort Worth is a large meat-processing center limits crops that can be grown to mainly crops for animal feed; cotton in some areas absorbs water well—very good for farming; many crops grown from peanuts to corn, cotton, hay well suited for cattle (valleys— shelter; grasslands and rivers—food and water); contains many of the state’s largest ranches

CENTRAL PLAINS CLIMATE Sub tropical Cold winters Hottest summer temperatures in the state 20-30 inches of rainfall a year Violent storms and tornadoes

Central Plains Climate Central Texas is shaped by its many rivers and hills. 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.

North Central Plains In the summer, one of the favorite activities is floating down a creek or river in an inner tube. 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.

CENTRAL PLAINS PLANTS -bluebonnets -Indian Paintbrush -Texas Oak Trees -Mesquite Trees

Central Plains Plants Indian Blanket Standing Cypress Blue Sage

Central Plains Animals Bobcat White-tailed deer Turkeys Screech Owl Mexican Freetail Bat Cliff Swallow

And the road runner….

The real road runner…

CENTRAL PLAINS ANIMALS -Bobcat -White-tailed deer -Turkeys -Screech Owl

CENTRAL PLAINS AGRICULTURE Cattle, goats, sheep, cotton, grain sorghum, oats, pecans, hay, peaches, cedar trees, wheat, corn, peanuts Fertile soil, beef, wool, mohair from angora goats, oil in some areas

CENTRAL PLAINS ECONOMY The fertile soil produces crops for a large portion of its industry

CENTRAL PLAINS Crops: Cotton, corn, and other grains. Resources: Limestone, sand, gravel, oil, gas, and clay. Grow: Peaches, hay, peanuts, wheat, and sorghum.

Where are the Central Plains?

Central Plains

COASTAL PLAINS

COASTAL PLAINS largest of the 4 Texas regions

Location of Coastal Plains 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 The Coastal Plains reaches inland, away from the coast about 250 miles

COASTAL PLAINS CITIES Brownsville Dallas Houston San Antonio Tyler Texarkana Corpus Christi

Coastal Plains Physical Features Woods & Forest Beaches Grassy Plains and Prairies Has lots of fishing and shrimping It is the largest of the four regions in Texas Gets the most rainfall Has citrus groves

The Coastal Plains Subregion Main Industrial and Economic Activities Piney Woods Gulf Coast Plain South Texas Plains Post Oak Belt Blackland Prairie timber, farming (fruits, vegetables), cattle ranching, oil farming (rice, cotton, grains), livestock, fishing, shrimping, center of oil industry, petrochemicals, ports and shipping farming (Rio Grande valley: fruit, vegetables, sugar-cane); ranching; retail and international trade; tourism; military bases (San Antonio) farming (cotton), corn, cattle, hogs); mining (oil,gas, lignite); manufacturing farming (cotton, grains, vegetables, cattle, chickens, hogs); Dallas/Metroplex: banking, insurance, and oil corporate headquarters, international cotton market, manufacturing, transportation hub

COASTAL PLAINS The land along the Gulf Coast is very near sea level. It is hard for water to drain off the land, since there is nowhere lower for the water to go. Much of the coast of Texas is made up of marshes----wetlands where a variety of tall grasses grow.

COASTAL PLAINS CLIMATE -Hot and damp, humid -Tornadoes, hurricanes “More rain and violent storms than any other region” -30-55 inches of rain per year Warm in the South Cold in the North

COASTAL PLAINS PLANTS The land along the Gulf Coast is very near sea level. It is hard for water to drain off the land, since there is nowhere lower for the water to go. Much of the coast of Texas is made up of marshes----wetlands where a variety of tall grasses grow.

COASTAL PLAINS ANIMALS Many kinds of animals live in the coastal plains region… Quail, Hawks, Owls, Bald Eagles and hundreds of other birds White tail deer Foxes, Bobcats, Skunks River otters Alligators in the marshes!!! Some weigh up to 500 lbs!!!

Coastal Plains Animals….

COASTAL PLAINS AGRICULTURE Timber, dairy, cattle, hogs, poultry, grain, sorghum, cotton, corn, peanuts, roses, fruits, hay, fish, sheep, wheat, vegetables, rice, citrus, and shrimp People, lots of rain, rivers, lumber and paper mills, chemical plants, ports, and oil

COASTAL PLAINS Economy Way of life: fishing, timber, oil and gas 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. The port of Houston is one of the 10 busiest ports in the world.

COASTAL PLAINS Oil and Gas Along the coastal region you will find many oil rigs that are on-shore and off-shore. The ocean gives easy access to ship the oil and gas to where it needs to go.

THE GULF COAST PLAINS ADAPTS TO ENVIRONMENT Houston – petrochemicals, shipping, manufacturing Dallas – banking, manufacturing, corporate headquarters Laredo – trade, farming San Antonio – tourism, military, retail

Where are the Coastal Plains?

Coastal Plains

GREAT PLAINS

GREAT PLAINS Region is located mostly in the panhandle area of Texas. This area is very flat with a high elevation that features canyons. It is a barren area with very few trees.

GREAT PLAINS LOCATION Texas Panhandle to the north Cap Rock Escarpment on the east -Northeast Texas -Colorado and Red Rivers are the borders.

GREAT PLAINS CITIES -Amarillo -Lubbock -Odessa Abilene Midland -San Angelo -Wichita Falls

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE GREAT PLAINS Panhandle area of Texas Highest Elevation in Texas High and flat treeless plains and grasslands Caprock Escarpments with elevation rising to the east Balcones Escarpments along the eastern and western edges Red River forms Palo Duro Canyon Caprock – hard bed of rock below the soil of the High Plains Escarpment – cliffs

GREAT PLAINS GEOGRAPHIC 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

The Great Plains Physical Features HIGH PLAINS EDWARDS PLATEAU high flat, Caprock prairie with elevation rising to east; escarpments on eastern, western edges; Red River forms Palo Duro Canyon; little rainfall; oil and gas high, hilly limestone plateau rising and getting more rugged to west; Balcones Escarpment and Fault, many springs on southern edge; many areas rocky with thin soil; prairie grasses; trees; rivers, streams form deep valleys and canyons

GREAT PLAINS Climate Windy, Dry Air Tornadoes Very cold in winter Very hot in summer Coldest region of Texas 15-20 inches of rainfall a year Violent sand, snow, and rain storms

GREAT PLAINS PLANTS -Prickly pear -Yucca -Indian Paintbrush -Cactus

GREAT PLAINS ANIMALS Pronghorn Prarie Dog Snakes Toads

Great Plains Economy Way of Life Cattle ranching and cotton farming are major sources of commerce in this area Farming - fruits, vegetables, watermelons, oats Ranching - cattle, angora goats (mohair) Cedar trees - fenceposts Oil and gas

TEXANS HAVE ADAPTED TO THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE GREAT PLAINS Used grasslands for farming Pumped water for irrigating crops Drilled for oil and gas Built cities

Where are the Great Plains?

Great Plains

MOUNTAINS AND BASINS

MOUNTAINS AND BASINS LOCATION Far west Texas East border near Pecos River South border is the Rio Grande North border is New Mexico

MOUNTAINS AND BASINS CITIES Alpine El Paso Fort Stockton - Pecos -Kermit & Monahans in Permian Basin area -Fort Davis, Marfa, & Alpine in Mountain area

MOUNTAINS AND BASINS PHYSICAL FEATURES Towering Peaks, Rocky Canyons, and flowering cacti. Mountains and Basins have dry, rocky soils. Places: Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe National Park, and Davis Mountains

MOUNTAINS AND BASINS Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in Texas

MOUNTAINS AND BASINS PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Dry desert climate Rocky soil Mountains, Canyons, Basins Plateaus Limited Plant Life

Mountains and Basins Physical Features Mountains ranges, basins & plateaus Guadalupe Mountains Big Bend National Park Guadalupe Peak – highest peak in Texas (8749 feet) Basins are lowlands surrounded by higher land.

Population/ Main Cities MOUNTAINS AND Basins Physical Features Economic Activities Population/ Main Cities MOUNTAINS AND BASINS population: main city: mountains, plateaus, basins, canyons; desert climate with little rainfall; dry rocky soil; limited plant life (desert grasses, shrubs, cacti) ranching; some farming with irriga- tion; oil, sulfur, silver; tourism; El Paso (military bases, Mexican trade, I-10 trade route) small, concentrated in a few small towns El Paso (one of the largest Texas cities

MOUNTAINS AND BASINS CLIMATE -Driest part of state -8 inches of rain per year, 20 in mountains -Hot days, cool nights

MOUNTAINS AND BASINS PLANTS -Some sagebrush

MOUNTAINS AND BASINS ANIMALS mountain lions peregrine falcons rattlesnakes

MOUNTAINS AND BASINS 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

Where are the Mountains and Basins?

Mountains & Basins

Summary of the Regions of Texas

Benefits Each region contains different natural resources. From the cotton fields of the Mountain and Basin and Great Plains regions to the ports of the Coastal/Gulf Plains, each area is rich with essential resources. This range of resources is a huge benefit as it allows Texas to be one of the most self-sufficient states in the country.

REGIONS OF TEXAS Label the 4 regions of Texas 1 2 4 3