Regions of Texas

Common Regional Names Many places in Texas have unusual names that describe some geographic characteristic or feature. The southern region of the United States is often called the Sunbelt. The name emphasizes the warm climate that has attracted many new residents to the region. THE SUNBELT

Common Regional Names Northwestern Texas is often called the Panhandle because the region’s shape looks much like the handle of a pan. Other regions of Texas are named for their special geographic features.

Common Regional Names The Redlands is an old name for an area of northeastern Texas that has reddish soil. The Coastal Bend, centered around Corpus Christi, gets its name form an area where the Gulf Coast “bends”. COASTAL BEND

Common Regional Names Texas is often divided inot regions named for their general locations: East Texas, West Texas, South Texas or North Texas. These regions have vague boundaries because they are based on perceptions, or points of view.

Natural Regions of Texas Geographers study natural regions to compare and contrast different areas. A natural region is an area with a common physical environment. These features include types of climate, landforms, plant life and soil.

Natural Regions of Texas Some Geographers divide the continental United States into 10 major natural regions. Parts of four natural regions are found in Texas, which is more than any other state. For this reason, Texas is called the “Crossroads” of natural regions.

THE FOUR REGIONS OF TEXAS

Gulf Coastal Plains Largest region in Texas Part of Gulf-Atlantic Coastal Plain, the region covers the entire coast of Texas and extends a few hundred miles inland.

Gulf Coastal Plains The land along the coast is usually marshy, while the land inland has both dense forests and grassy prairies.

North Central Plains The Central Plains region is characterized by gently rolling prairies that offer abundant resources for ranching and farming.

Great Plains The Great Plains region is known as one of the flattest areas on earth. However, the region’s flat grassland becomes more rugged in the southern part of the region.

Mountains and Basins The Intermountains Basins and Plateaus lies west of the Pecos River in Texas. This region is dry but has a dramatic landscape that includes canyons, mountains, plateaus and basins.