Transcript Texas Geography regions

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
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
Coastal Cities……
 Houston
 Dallas (on the border of Central Plains)
 San Antonio
 Texarkana
 Corpus Christi
 Brownsville
Coastal Climate…….
 Hot and damp, humid
 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..
Central Plains
Location of Central Plains
 The Great Plains include the Llano Estacado, the
Panhandle, Edwards Plateau, Toyah Basin and the
Llano Uplift.
 It is border on the east by the Caprock Escarpment in
the panhandle and by the Balcones Fault to the
southeast.
Picture of Edwards Plateau
Central Plain Cities…..
 Austin
 Waco
 Fredericksburg
 Llano
 The Hill Country is a popular name for the area of hills
along the Balcones Fault and is a transitional area
between the Great Plains and the Gulf Coastal Plains.
Central Plains Climate
 Central Texas is shaped by its many rivers and hills.
The climate is subtropical.
 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.

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..
Central Plains - Plants
 Blue bonnets
 Indian Paintbrush
 Texas Oak Trees
 Mesquite Trees
 Baldcypress Trees
Indian Blanket
Standing Cypress
Blue Sage
Central Plain - Animals
 Bobcat
 White-tailed deer
 Turkeys
 Screech Owl
 Mexican Freetail Bat
 Cliff Swallow
The Great Plains
Location of the Great Plains
 Northeast 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
Great Plains Cities
 Amarillo
 Lubbock
 Abilene
 San Angelo
 Wichita Falls
Climate
 Dry air
 Tornadoes
 20-30 inches of
rain per year
 windy
Plants
 Prickly pear
 Yucca
 Indian Paintbrush
 Cactus
Animals
 Pronghorn
 Prarie Dog
 Snakes
 Horny Toad
Way of Life
 Farming - fruits, vegetables, watermelons, oats
 Ranching - cattle, angora goats (mohair)
 Cedar trees - fenceposts
 Oil and gas
Mountains and Basins
tion
Far west Texas
East border near Pecos River
South border is the Rio Grande
North border is New Mexico
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, cool nights
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