Chapter 3 Regions

Great Plains Also called the “bread basket of the world” due to it’s fertile land. It’s bounded on the east by the Mississippi River and on the west by the Rocky Mountains. Covers most of the Texas Panhandle Little rainfall

Great Plains Land Use Great herds of bison roamed the area, followed by Native Americans. Europeans and farmers moved in and used the area for farming crops such as corn and wheat. Oil discovered in the 1920s. Drought, high winds, and poor farming practices contributed to the Dust Bowl. The federal government established national grasslands in the area to preserve the land.

Great Plains Climate Dry, so irrigation from aquifers is necessary Higher elevations, but not as high as the Mountains and Basins. Cooler summers and winters Rich grasslands attracted farmers for wheat and cotton

Llano Basin High Plains Edwards Plateau

Great Plains--Subregions The High Plains Mostly flat The Caprock Escarpment provides a natural border between the North Central Plains The Canadian River and the Red River run through the High Plains. Both rivers cut through the Caprock Escarpment causing the Palo Duro Canyon. The Llano Estacado stretches from across the High Plains

Great Plains--Subregion The High Plains Wildlife include: turkey, deer Plants: yucca, mesquite, cedar

Great Plains--Subregion The High Plains The High Plains are split into two: the North Plains and the South Plains The North Plains economy includes petroleum, cattle ranching, and farming wheat and sorghum (grain for cattle). Amarillo is the largest city in the North Plains. Oil field equipment is also manufactured. The South Plains economy focuses on farming cotton. Cottonseed processing is a big business for Lubbock. Oil is important for cities like Midland and Odessa.

Palo Duro Canyon

Great Plains--Subregion Edwards Plateau High-level land rising from escarpment which separates the subregion with the Gulf Coast Plains region Thin soil and vover of mesquite, cedar, small oak trees make this area suitable for grazing livestock that for farming. Ranchers have adapted to rocky environment by raising cattle, sheep, goats Mostly ranchlands with few cities Largest city is Del Rio and trade with Mexico is important Hill Country—Fredericksburg, Kerrville, are bigger cities and the area has a high area of natural game (white-tailed deer)

Great Plains--Subregion Llano Basin Rolling plains and hills crossed by two rivers: Llano and Colorado which has caused lots of erosion State’s smallest geographic region Dams on the Colorado River have caused the reservoirs known as the Highland Lakes with Lake Buchanan being the largest. Economy relies on tourism, hunting, and livestock production Pecans are important crops

Great Plains Question to consider… How has geography affected the economy of the Edwards Plateau?

North Central Plains

North Central Plains Hills and valleys are covered with grasses, brush, and weathered trees. More rainfall than Great Plains equals a variety of crops Cattle ranching dominates the economy Rural area with low populations. Largest city: Fort Worth

Rolling Plains

North Central Plains--Subregion The Rolling Plains Also known as the Lower Plains Dry in the winter with little rain and snow Thunderstorms are widespread causing frequent tornados Rolling landscape with hills, mesas (small plateaus), and buttes (smaller flat-topped hills) Cattle grazing Crops include: cotton, grain sorghum, wheat, peaches, pecans Largest cities: Wichita Falls (military, manufacturing), Abilene (oil, marketing), and San Angelo (agribusiness-large scale commercial farming)

Cross Timbers and the Grand Prairie

North Central Plains--Subregion Cross Timbers Two separate belts make up the Cross Timbers Eastern Cross Timbers and Western Cross Timbers Woodlands gave Native Americans shelter from enemies. Soils are important for draining rainfall Cotton, corn, vegetables, various oak, cedar, elm pecan trees grow here. Livestock and dairy farming also popular Eastern Cross Timbers: Arlington (manufacturing and tourism) Western Cross Timbers: Brownwood (regional trade and distribution) The Eastern Cross Timbers cuts the Metroplex in half.

North Central Plains--Subregion The Grand Prairie Area includes mainly short and bunched grasses Rain quickly drains through the limestone and clay soil Difficult for trees to grow anywhere but near streams Livestock and farming are important Crops include: cotton, grain sorghum, wheat, peanuts, and corn Fort Worth is the largest city Other industries include: aircraft, manufacturing, and military (Ft. Hood) in addition to farming

North Central Plains Question to consider… How do the landscape and rainfall of the North Central Plains compare to those of the Great Plains?