The Five Themes of Geography Texas by Cyndi Anderson

Location Absolute Location of Austin: 31 N and 98 W Relative Location: Located south of Oklahoma and north of Mexico; it is also east of New Mexico and west of Louisiana.

Region Texas is in the South Region of the United States. It is also part of the Gulf Coast Region and the Great Plains Region.

Place Texas is a large state and therefore has many different physical characteristics. In West Texas, you can find deserts and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In Northeast Texas, forests of pine trees can be found, while Southeast Texas is known for its beaches. Throughout Texas there are stretches of unpopulated areas, but Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso are huge urban areas with high populations and lots of industry.

Human Environmental Interaction When Texans first began to settle, they chose areas close to fresh water because they depended on it for their agricultural needs. Luckily Texas had many rivers which allowed for great irrigation. Over time, Texans have modified their environment by damming rivers and creating man-made lakes and reservoirs for extra water. In West Texas, people have adapted to the dry environment by creating landscapes void of grass and using the water they do have with careful proportions.

Movement Texas was first colonized by the Spanish. It soon became a place where many immigrants from Europe would settle. In early Texas, people travelled by horse on trails, later by trains, and now we are have great highways and several major airports throughout our state. We send out cotton and cattle, and although we have a strong agricultural base we do import some fruits and vegetables.

Reflection This is my chance to tell you what I learned while completing this project. I could tell you more about what I learned about the state or the five themes of geography. Basically, we want you to stop and reflect on this learning activity and explain your thoughts.