T EXAS ! HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1 Chapter 3 THE REGIONS OF TEXAS Section 1:A Regional Crossroads Section 2:The Gulf Coastal Plain Section 3:The Central Plains Section 4:The Great Plains Section 5:The Intermountain Basins and Plateaus

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON2 T EXAS ! HOLT OBJECTIVES Explain why Texas is considered the crossroads of natural regions. Explain why Texas is considered the crossroads of natural regions. Identify the four natural regions in Texas. Identify the four natural regions in Texas. SECTION 1: A Regional Crossroads

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON3 T EXAS ! HOLT WHY TEXAS IS A CROSSROADS OF NATURAL REGIONS Four of the natural regions extend into Texas – more than any other state Four of the natural regions extend into Texas – more than any other state SECTION 1: A Regional Crossroads

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON4 T EXAS ! HOLT FOUR NATURAL REGIONS OF TEXAS GULF COASTAL PLAIN GULF COASTAL PLAIN CENTRAL PLAINS CENTRAL PLAINS GREAT PLAINS GREAT PLAINS INTERMOUNTAIN BASINS AND PLATEAUS INTERMOUNTAIN BASINS AND PLATEAUS SECTION 1: A Regional Crossroads

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON5 T EXAS ! HOLT OBJECTIVES Compare and contrast the features of the subregions of the Gulf Coast Plain. Compare and contrast the features of the subregions of the Gulf Coast Plain. Explain how Texans in the Gulf Coastal Plain have adapted to and used their environment. Explain how Texans in the Gulf Coastal Plain have adapted to and used their environment. SECTION 2: The Gulf Coastal Plain

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON6 T EXAS ! HOLT COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE SUBREGIONS OF THE GULF COAST PLAIN Piney Woods – pine forest, farming, timber Piney Woods – pine forest, farming, timber Gulf Coast Plain – prairie, bayous, farming, ranching, fishing, ports, oil, petrochemicals Gulf Coast Plain – prairie, bayous, farming, ranching, fishing, ports, oil, petrochemicals South Texas Plains – warm dry climate, year-round farming, ranches South Texas Plains – warm dry climate, year-round farming, ranches Post Oak Belt – sandy soils, prairies, farming, energy resources Post Oak Belt – sandy soils, prairies, farming, energy resources Blackland Prairie – rich soil, large population, manufacturing Blackland Prairie – rich soil, large population, manufacturing SECTION 2: The Gulf Coastal Plain

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON7 T EXAS ! HOLT THE GULF COAST PLAINS ADAPTS TO ENVIRONMENT Houston – petrochemicals, shipping, manufacturing Houston – petrochemicals, shipping, manufacturing Dallas – banking, manufacturing, corporate headquarters Dallas – banking, manufacturing, corporate headquarters San Antonio – tourism, military, retail San Antonio – tourism, military, retail Laredo – trade, farming Laredo – trade, farming SECTION 2: The Gulf Coastal Plain

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON8 T EXAS ! HOLT OBJECTIVES Identify the different physical and human characteristics of the subregions of the Central Plains. Identify the different physical and human characteristics of the subregions of the Central Plains. Explain how the physical features of the Central Plains affect industry in the region. Explain how the physical features of the Central Plains affect industry in the region. SECTION 3: The Central Plains

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON9 T EXAS ! HOLT PHYSICAL AND HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS OF CENTRAL PLAINS SUBREGIONS 1.GRAND PRAIRIE – flat and rolling hills, grasslands; suited for livestock 2.CROSS TIMBERS – sandy soil; good for farming a variety of crops 3.ROLLING PLAINS – grasslands; hilly terrain; steep valley; rivers; suited for cattle and ranches SECTION 3: The Central Plains

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON10 T EXAS ! HOLT PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS AFFECT INDUSTRY Rich soils support farm industries Rich soils support farm industries Natural resources have spurred other industries Natural resources have spurred other industries SECTION 3: The Central Plains

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON11 T EXAS ! HOLT OBJECTIVES Describe the physical features of the Great Plains. Describe the physical features of the Great Plains. Identify how Texans have adapted to the environment of the Great Plains. Identify how Texans have adapted to the environment of the Great Plains. SECTION 4: The Great Plains

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON12 T EXAS ! HOLT PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE GREAT PLAINS High and flat High and flat Caprock prairie with elevation rising to the east Caprock prairie with elevation rising to the east Escarpments along the eastern and western edges Escarpments along the eastern and western edges Red River forms Palo Duro Canyon Red River forms Palo Duro Canyon SECTION 4: The Great Plains Caprock – hard bed of rock below the soil of the High Plains Escarpment – cliffs

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON13 T EXAS ! HOLT TEXANS HAVE ADAPTED TO THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE GREAT PLAINS Used grasslands for farming Used grasslands for farming Pumped water for irrigating crops Pumped water for irrigating crops Drilled for oil and gas Drilled for oil and gas Built cities Built cities SECTION 4: The Great Plains

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON14 T EXAS ! HOLT OBJECTIVES Identify the physical characteristics of the Intermountain Basins and Plateaus. Identify the physical characteristics of the Intermountain Basins and Plateaus. Explain how the geography of the region affects human activities there. Explain how the geography of the region affects human activities there. SECTION 5: The Intermountain Basins and Plateaus

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON15 T EXAS ! HOLT PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INTERMOUNTAIN BASINS AND PLATEAUS Dry desert climate Dry desert climate Rocky soil Rocky soil Mountains, Canyons, Basins Mountains, Canyons, Basins Plateaus Plateaus Limited Plant Life Limited Plant Life SECTION 5: The Intermountain Basins and Plateaus

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON16 T EXAS ! HOLT HUMAN ACTIVITY IS AFFECTED BY GEOGRAPHY Landscape has made tourism a large part of the economy Landscape has made tourism a large part of the economy Business proper for offering services to tourists Business proper for offering services to tourists SECTION 5: The Intermountain Basins and Plateaus