1. There are four physical regions of Texas that you will need to know…

2. Regions of Texas High Plains Central Plains Mountains and Basins
Gulf Coastal Plains

3. Gulf Coastal Plains Resources: Climate:
This is where we live! Like the name says, the Gulf Coastal Plains region is along the Gulf Coast of Texas, and includes several large cities (like Houston, Dallas, Austin).
Resources:
Tree farms
Fishing
Oil and gas
Ranching
Factories
Climate:
Hot and damp, humid
Tornadoes, hurricanes
30-55 inches of rain per
year

4. Gulf Coastal Plains Geographic Features:
Northeast border is the Sabine River.
Southeast border is the Gulf of Mexico.
Geographic Features:
Land is flat and low (has low elevation).
Wooded land and coastal sands
Big Thicket National Preserve - forest in SE Texas
Rivers - Brazos, Colorado, Trinity
Good soils along rivers

5. Central Plains Climate: Resources: Dry air Tornadoes
20-30 inches of rain per
year
Resources:
Farming - fruits, vegetables, watermelons, oats
Ranching - cattle, angora goats (mohair)
Oil and gas

6. Central Plains Geographic Features: Rolling grassy lands Thick grasses
East border is the Coastal Plains
South border is the Colorado River
North border is the Red River
West border is the Cap Rock Escarpment
Geographic Features:
Rolling grassy lands
Thick grasses
Cross Timbers area - large areas of hardwood trees
Limestone rock
Higher elevation than Gulf Coast because limestone doesn't wear
down easily

7. High Plains Region Climate: Resources: Dry air Hot summers
Cold winters
Dust storms
16-20 inches of rain per year
Resources:
Farming - cotton, wheat (irrigation from wells)
Ranching - cattle, sheep, goat
Oil and gas in the Permian Basin

8. High Plains Region Geographic Features: Flat Few trees
Most of the Panhandle and Edwards Plateau
East & South borders are escarpments
Southwest border is the Mountains and Basins Region
Geographic Features:
Flat
Few trees
Canyons in North (Palo Duro Canyon)
Higher elevation than Central Plains
Cap Rock Escarpment
Edwards Plateau

9. Mountains and Basins Region
Resources:
Ranching - cattle, sheep, goat
Oil and gas - part of Permian Basin
Climate:
Driest part of state
8 inches of rain per year, 20 in mountains
Hot days, cool nights

10. Mountains and Basins Region
Far west Texas
East border near Pecos River
South border is the Rio Grande
North border is New Mexico
Geographic Features:
150 mountains in the mountain ranges
Plateaus and basins
Deserts
Pecos and Rio Grande Rivers
Big Bend National Park

11. Review Time… 2. 1. 4. 3.

12. Review Time… Which region do we live in?
Which region is the driest? The most humid?
Which region has the highest population (or most large cities)?
Which region has the highest elevation?
Which region is known for the forests?
Which 2 regions are separated by the Cap Rock Escarpment?

13. Any questions?