Download REGIONS TEXAS

Regions: Physical and
Human Characteristics
Objectives
:

Know the 4 regions of Texas
Understand the different physical
characteristics of each region

Understand how physical differences affect
human characteristics (way of life)

Can you name the Regions of
Texas?
Gulf Coastal
North Central
Plains
Great Plains
Mountains and
Basins
Gulf Coastal Plains
Location of the Gulf Coastal
Plains
 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
 Plains, desert, & hills
 “Wrong way rivers” take water from driest part of
state, to wettest part of state
Coastal Cities……
 Houston
 Dallas (on the border of North Central Plains)
 San Antonio
 Texarkana
 Corpus Christi
 Brownsville
Coastal Climate…….
 Hot and damp, humid
 Mild
 Tornadoes, hurricanes
 30-55 inches of rain per year
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.
Coastal 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!!!
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.
OIL AND GAS…..
 Along the coastal region you will find many oil rigs
that are on-shore and off-shore….
 The ocean gives easy access to ship the oil and gas to
where it needs to go..
North Central Plains
Location of North Central Plains
 It is border on the east by the Caprock Escarpment in
the panhandle and by the Balcones Fault to the
southeast.
 Rolling prairies, a few rivers
Picture of Edwards Plateau
North Central Plain Cities…..
 Austin
 Waco
 Fredericksburg
 Llano
 Fort Worth
 The Hill Country is a popular name for the area of hills
along the Balcones Escarpment or Fault and is a
transitional area between the Great Plains and the
Gulf Coastal Plains. (natural & historic landmark)
North Central Plains Climate
 North Central Texas is shaped by its many rivers and
hills. The climate is subtropical, hot long summers,
and cool to cold winters.
 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.

North Central Plains Culture
 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..
NORTH CENTRAL PLAINS
WAYS OF LIFE
•RANCHING
•COTTON AND WHEAT FARMING
•NATURAL GAS FROM THE BARNETT SHALE
North Central Plains - Plants
 Blue bonnets
 Indian Paintbrush
 Texas Oak Trees
 Mesquite Trees
 Bald cypress Trees
Indian Blanket
Standing Cypress
Blue Sage
North Central Plain - Animals
 Bobcat
 White-tailed deer
 Turkeys
 Screech Owl
 Mexican Freetail Bat
 Cliff Swallow
The Great Plains
 The Great Plains include the Llano Estacado,
the Panhandle, Edwards Plateau, Toyah Basin
and the Llano Uplift. (natural & historic
landmark)
Location of the Great Plains
 Northwest Texas
 Colorado and Red Rivers are the borders.
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
 Palo Duro Canyon (natural & historic landmark)
 Canyons, escarpments, plains, aquifers, & plateaus
Great Plains Cities
 Amarillo
 Lubbock
 Abilene
 San Angelo
 Wichita Falls
 Midland
 Odessa
Climate
 Dry air
 Tornadoes
 20-30 inches of rain per year
 windy
 hot long summers, cold
winters
Plants
 Prickly pear
 Yucca
 Indian Paintbrush
 Cactus
Animals
 Pronghorn
 Prairie Dog
 Snakes
 Horned Toad
Way of Life
 Farming - fruits, vegetables, watermelons, oats
 Ranching - cattle, angora goats (mohair)
 Cedar trees - fence posts
 Oil and gas
Mountains and Basins
Location
Far West Texas
East border near Pecos River
South border is the Rio Grande
River
North border is New Mexico
deserts
Cities
 El Paso
 Pecos
 Kermit & Monahans in Permian Basin
area
 Fort Davis, Marfa, & Alpine in Mountain
area
Climate
Driest part of state
8 inches of rain per year, 20 in
mountains
hot days, cold nights
hot summers, cold
winters
Plants
 IT IS FLAT!!!!!
•Some
sagebrush
Animals
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