The Gulf Coastal Plain Region

A geographic section or subregion is an area that has similarities in vegetation, wildlife, and other natural resources. There are 5 subregions that make up the Coastal Plains.

5 Subregions: The Piney Woods (blue) The Gulf Coast Plain (yellow) Eastern most subregion The Gulf Coast Plain (yellow) South and west of the Piney Woods The Post Oak Belt (purple) West of both Piney Woods and Gulf Coast Plain

5 Subregions: The Blackland Prairie (brown) Stretches west along Post Oak Belt The South Texas Plain (pink) West of the Gulf Coast Plain

Piney Woods There are 4 Natural Forests that are found the in Piney Woods: The Angelina Sabine Sam Houston Davy Crocket

Piney Woods Much of the Big Thicket area is a swamp. An important economic activity in the Piney Woods is Lumbering. Rain in this area helps support this industry.

Gulf Coast Plain Heavy stands of grasses grow in many parts of the Gulf Coast Plain. The single most important industry here is the production of petrochemicals. (chemicals made from oil and gas that are used in most industries.)

Houston is the largest city in Texas and the third largest seaport in the United States. It is located in the Gulf Coast Region. Tyler is known as the “Rose Capital of the World”. It is located in the Post Oak Belt.

The South Texas Plain Lies west of the Gulf Coast Plain. Extends south to the Gulf of Mexico where the land is low and flat. In the northern and western area, the land gently rises and becomes more hilly The climate in the subregion is drier than the Gulf Coast Plain. Grasslands cover this coastal section, but dense brushlands characterize this subregion.

South Texas Plain The South Texas Plain has one of the richest farming areas in the nation. Temperatures are warm for most of the year. The Valley has fertile soils from sediment washed down the Rio Grande.

South Texas Plain Ranches are common throughout the South Texas Plain. The subregion is mostly rural. San Antonio is the largest city in the subregion. The South Texas region is a major center for international trade.

The Post Oak Belt The Post Oak Belt begins just outside San Antonio and stretches north the Red River. It lies west of the Piney Woods and the Gulf Coast Plain. The Belt has a similar climate to that of the Piney Woods.

The Post Oak Belt Few part of the Post Oak Belt are covered in trees such as post oak, blackjack oak, elm, hickory, pecan and walnut trees. Mesquite trees are becoming more common. The area’s soil is sandier and the land is mostly flat.

The Post Oak Belt Cotton is a major crop as well as sorghum, corn and grain to feed livestock. Livestock is a major industry. Farmers raise cattle and hogs. The regional economy depends on natural resources such as oil and natural gas.

The Post Oak Belt Most people in the Post Oak areas live in rural communities. The largest cities in the Post Oak Belt are Bryan-College Station

Blackland Prairie The Blackland Prairie has more of the state’s larger cities than any other subregion, such as, Dallas, Garland, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Plano, Richardson, Sherman, Temple, and Waco. Allen is a part of the Blackland Prairie as well!

Austin has many high technology firms and is becoming an important computer research center. Many people in the South Texas Plain earn their living in agriculture and farming-related industries.