Geography: Regions of Texas (Chapter 1 / Section 4)

Describe the Texas climate: Regions of Texas Describe the Texas climate: Texas generally has hot summers and mild winters. Climate differs greatly across the state. Rainfall varies greatly across the state— drier in the west and wetter in the east.

Coastal Plains North Central Plains Great Plains Mountains and Basins Regions of Texas Coastal Plains North Central Plains Great Plains Mountains and Basins

Coastal Plains

Coastal Plains Borders: North: Red River South & West: Rio Grande West: Balcones Fault East: Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana

Coastal Plains Land: Western Edge: nearly 1000 ft above sea level Along the Coast: low and marshy

Coastal Plains Vegetation: Gulf Coast area: Coastal Prairie supports farming and cattle East Texas: Pine forests of the Piney Woods West of the Piney Woods: Forests of the Post Oak Belt

North Central Plains

North Central Plains Borders: North: Red River South: Edwards Plateau East: Coastal Plains Region West: Caprock Escarpment

North Central Plains Land: Elevation: Decreases from west to east Much of the region’s land is rolling and hilly In the South: buttes and mesas

North Central Plains Vegetation: East: the Grande Prairie Central: Forests West: grasslands of the Rolling Plains Farming and ranching dominate this region

Great Plains

Great Plains Borders: North: Oklahoma South: Rio Grande and Balcones Escarpment East: Caprock Escarpment West: New Mexico and Mountains/Basins Region

Great Plains Land: Northern High Plains: mostly flat with some canyons Southern High Plains: Llano Estacado is smooth & level South: Edwards Plateau has hilly terrain

Great Plains Vegetation: A dry area with few trees Much of region is grassland, excellent for cattle Northern area supports cotton and grains

Mountains and Basins

Mountains and Basins Borders: North: New Mexico South and West: Rio Grande East: Edwards Plateau

Mountains and Basins Land: Scattered mountains and flat desert basins Five major mountain ranges, includes Guadalupe Peak Big Bend National Park

Mountains and Basins Vegetation: Driest land in Texas Desert: cacti, mesquite, and other desert plants Mountains: some forest growth

Regions of Texas