Based on the two maps (physical & precipitation) how would you divide Texas by Regions?

TEXAS REGIONS Regions are areas of land that share definable physical characteristics

The regions of Texas are… Coastal Plain North Central Plains Great Plains Mountains and Basins Now identify & label them on your map

Great Plains Central Plains Coastal Plains Mountains & Basins

(Gulf) Coastal Plains Climate Hot and damp, humid Tornadoes, hurricanes 30-55 inches of rain per year (most in the state)

Coastal Plains Physical characteristics: woods, rolling hills, grasslands, bayous, bays, lagoons, islands, swamps, low elevations Vegetation: Varies greatly because most plants thrive here

Human Characteristics: Highest population & economic activities Major Cities: Houston, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Brownsville

Water Sources: Rivers (Trinity, Brazos, Colorado, Guadalupe, San Antonio and Neches River), Reservoirs, Gulf of Mexico

Cultivated vegetation: Corn, rice, soybeans, citrus, cotton, wheat

Natural resources: Oil, natural gas, coal, fish, rich soil

Economy: Fishing, Farming, Oil Industry, Ranching, Education, Medicine

Animals…. River Otters Alligator Hundreds of birds including: quail, hawks, owls, and bald eagles Fresh water fish including: catfish, trout, and bass Sea life found in the Gulf of Mexico: oysters, crab, shrimp, dolphins, sharks White tail deer Armadillos Foxes Beaver Skunks River otters Bobcats Alligators in the marshes!!! Some weigh up to 500 lbs!!! River Otters Alligator

Special Attractions: Alamo, Reliant Stadium, Astrodome, Johnson Space Center,Schlitterbahn, Moody Gardens, Kemah Boardwalk, Texas State Fair

North Central Plains NORTH CENTRAL PLAINS

North Central Plains Climate 12 – 36 inches of rain per year Tornadoes Dry air

North Central Plains Physical Characteristics: -Rolling Prairies with Fertile Soil -Limestone -Rivers -Hill Country

Central Plains Human Characteristics: Major Cities: Wichita Falls Abilene Ft. Worth

NORTH CENTRAL PLAINS ECONOMY RANCHING COTTON AND WHEAT FARMING NATURAL GAS ROCK AND MINERAL QUARRIES

Great Plains This Region extends north all the way to Canada. It is also known as the _________, because of all the grains grown here

Great Plains Climate Hot and Dry seasons ‘16-’20 inches of rain a year Cold Winters Dust Storms are common Tornadoes

Great Plains Physical Geography Canyons Plateaus Plains Flowing Rivers

Great Plains Human Geography: Cities (Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa) Call it the ‘Panhandle’

Great Plains Economy Ranching - cattle, angora goats (mohair) Farming – cotton, fruits, vegetables, watermelons, oats Oil and gas Energy farming (wind)

Great Plains Cities Amarillo Lubbock Midland Odessa

Mountains and Basins This region is the furthest West in Texas.

Climate Driest part of state 8 inches of rain per year in the basins 20 inches of rain per year in the mountains Hot days, cool nights

Physical Geography: Mountain Ranges: Chinos, Davis Mountains, Guadalupe Guadalupe Peak Plateaus Basins Desert Pecos River Rio Grande River

Mountains and Basins Human Geography Cities (El Paso and Fort Davis) Lowest population of all regions Oil Fields Tourism

Economy Ranching - cattle, sheep, goat Oil and gas - part of Permian Basin Farming - cotton, fruits, vegetables, cantaloupes (irrigation in El Paso and Pecos River Valley) Tourism (Big Bend National Park, McDonald Observatory, etc.