Transcript Notes from 09/08/2016

Chapter 3
Regions of Texas
Regions
• Remember: a region is an area that has many
uniform (the same) physical and human
characteristics.
Regions
• There are
10 natural
regions in
the U.S.,
and parts of
4 of them
are found in
Texas.
Regions
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Landscape
• This region is also called the Trans-Pecos because it lies west of
the Pecos River.
• This area dominates the far West Texas landscape.
• Basins cover the area, and the Rocky Mountains extend through
providing Texas with seven mountains standing over one mile
high.
• The highest point in Texas (Guadalupe Peak) is located here.
• The lowest point: Canyon along Rio Grande that sits at 1700 feet
above sea level.
• The Davis Mountains are located towards the center of the
region. There are seven mountain peaks in the region that stand
over one mile high.
• The Chihuahuan Desert covers much of the region.
Mountains and Basins
Climate
• There are hot summers and cold winters.
• Rainfall is scarce. Some parts receive 14-18 inches
annually while others receive much less.
• Higher elevations receive more rainfall and have slightly
lower temperatures.
• Temperatures in the summer range from mid-90s°F in
the desert and basin areas to 80s°F in the mountains.
• The lack of rain causes an insufficient amount of water
to support many communities. Therefore, population is
sparse in many areas.
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Plants and Animals
• Flowering cactus plants, yucca, creosote bush cover the area.
• Cougars, mule, deer, black bears
• Ranches must be large because the desert landscape offers
few food resources for livestock.
• Important crops include cotton, pecan trees, and cantaloupes
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Natural Landmarks
• Flanked by two rivers: Rio Grande and Pecos
River
• The Rio Grande carries water used for raising
crops and livestock into its valleys. Water is
able to support the population.
• Big Bend National Park is the state’s first
national park and covers over 1,250 square
miles.
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Mountains and Basins
Cities and Places
• The region is generally sparsely settled. However, El Paso is
one of the state’s largest cities.
• El Paso sits on the Rio Grande and has strong business ties
with Mexico and New Mexico. Because of this, El Paso has
strong features of Hispanic culture and traditions.
• El Paso is the commercial center of the upper Rio Grande
Valley, and the economy is boosted by tourism (business of
attracting visitors to a region or place.
• Loving County is a sparsely populated county near the border
of New Mexico that does not provide enough water for its
population.
Mountains and Basins
NAFTA
• One major factor contributing to the trade in El
Paso is the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA).
• The purpose of NAFTA was to lessen barriers to
trade between the United States and Mexico and
Canada. The agreement took place in 1994.
• Maquiladoras, or factories, along the Mexican
border provide low-cost labor for items that can
then be exported .
Mountains and Basins
Resources
• The area doesn’t have much water, but it does
have petroleum and natural gas.
• Oil and gas production are the main industry
for the Mountains and Basins region.
• Other mineral resources include limestone,
shale rock, clay, talc, copper, sulfur, and salt.