TEXAS REGIONS 1

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) 2

Can you name the Regions of Texas? Gulf Coastal Central Plains Great Plains Mountains and Basins 3

Gulf Coastal Plains 5

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 6

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 8

Climate Hot, damp & humid Tornadoes & Hurricanes 30-55 inches of rain per year 9

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. 10

Animals Many kinds of animals live in the coastal region… To name a few… Quail Hawks Owls Hundreds of other birds Bald eagle White tail deer Foxes Skunks River otters Bobcats Alligators in the marshes!!! Some weigh up to 500 lbs!!! 11

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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. 13

Entertainment & Recreation *Johnson Space Center *Kemah Board Walk *Minute Maid Park (Astros) *Toyota Center (Rockets) *Cowboy Stadium (Cowboys) *NRG Stadium (Texans)

North Central Plains 15

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 16

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. 17

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. 18

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. 19

Plants Blue bonnets Indian Paintbrush Texas Oak Trees Mesquite Trees Baldcypress Trees 20

Indian Blanket Standing Cypress Blue Sage 21

Central Plain - Animals Bobcat White-tailed deer Turkeys Screech Owl Mexican Freetail Bat Cliff Swallow 22

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The Great Plains 24

Location Northeast Texas Colorado and Red Rivers are the borders. 25

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

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 28

Climate Dry air Tornadoes 20-30 inches of rain per year Windy 29

Plants Prickly pear Yucca Indian Paintbrush Cactus 30

Animals Pronghorn Prairie Dog Snakes Horny Toad 31

Way of Life Farming - fruits, vegetables, watermelons, oats Ranching - cattle, angora goats (mohair) Cedar trees - fenceposts Oil and gas 32

Mountains and Basins 33

Location Far west Texas East border near Pecos River South border is the Rio Grande North border is New Mexico 34

Cities El Paso Pecos Kermit & Monahans in Permian Basin area Fort Davis, Marfa, & Alpine in Mountain area 35

Climate Driest part of state 8 inches of rain per year, 20 in mountains Hot days, cool nights 36

Plants IT IS FLAT!!!!! Some sagebrush 37

Animals 38

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 39