1. The Mountains and Basins
Chapter 1, Section 4
Borders
North: New Mexico
South and West: Rio Grande
East: Great Plains Region

2. The Mountains and Basins
Chapter 1, Section 4
Land
This region includes scattered mountain ranges and flat desert basins.
Major mountain ranges include the Guadalupe, Davis, Chalk, and Glass Mountains.
Big Bend National Park is in the Mountains and Basins region.
Vegetation
Desert: cacti, mesquite, and other desert plants
Mountains: some forest growth

3. Land 150 mountains – Guadalupe Peak highest point in TX. Plateaus
Basins
Deserts
Pecos & Rio Grande Rivers
Big Bend National Park
Photo courtesy of

4. Climate Dry Air (not humid)
Less than 8 inches of rain per year – least rainfall of the 4 regions
Hot days, cool nights
Some short grasses
Shrubs
Desert plants
Some pine forests in
mountains

5. Climate Hot and dry climate.
Most of the region gets less than 14 inches of rain per year.

6. Cactus
Cougar
Yucca Plant
Mule Deer
Elk
Creosote Bush
Black Bear

7. Natural Landmarks
Big Bend National Park
Rio Grande through El Paso

8. Major Economic Activities
Ranching- cattle, sheep, goats (need lots of land and must supplement with feed)
Farming- cotton, citrus fruits, vegetables, melons (made possible by irrigation)
Oil and gas deposits in Permian Basin
Tourism – Big Bend and mountains
Mining

9. Natural Landmarks
Marsical Canyon
Boquillas Canyon
Santa Elena Canyon

10. El Paso Biggest city in the region
Sister city with Cuidad Juarez in Mexico across the border.
The two cities use maquiladoras, or factories, to provide jobs.
Growing city due to NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)

11. Major Cities El Paso Fort Davis City of El Paso
By forsyth7707 on Aug 2009

12. Closing
Based on our discussion today, make a list of ways that people have adapted in order to live in the Mountains and Basins Region.