Four Natural Regions of Texas

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

Mountains and Basins Physical Characteristics: Mountains Basins Deserts Few Small Rivers Permian Basin

Mountains and Basins Vegetation (what grows there) Short grasses Smaller trees and shrubs

Mountains and Basins Climate Hot and Dry all year long in the desert <‘8 inches of rain a year Tops of mountains see more rain Drought Climate

Mountains and Basins Human Geography Cities (El Paso and Fort Davis) Oil Fields

Mountains and Basins Industry (what do you do out there?) Ranching, Oil, Tourism

Great Plains This Region is East of the Mountains and Basins and is also known as the ‘High Plains’.

Great Plains Physical Characteristics Canyons Plateaus Plains Flowing Rivers

Great Plains Vegetation Some trees Grasslands Flowers

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

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

Great Plains Industry Ranching Farming Oil and Gas production Energy Farms (wind propelled)

Central Plains The Central Plains are located in North Central Texas.

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

Central Plains Vegetation: -Larger Trees -Lush Tall Grasses

Central Plains Climate -20 to 30 inches of rain per year! (Helps those trees Grow!!) -Rain -Tornadoes

Central Plains Human Characteristics -Cities (Fort Worth, Abilene, San Angelo) -Large Interstates Systems

Central Plains Industry -Agriculture and Ranching -Rock and Mineral Quarries -Oil and Gas

Gulf Coastal Plains Physical Characteristics -Largest Region -Thick Woods -Very Tall Trees and Grasses -Lakes and Rivers *Low Elevation*

Gulf Coastal Plains Vegetation -Varies greatly because most plants thrive

Gulf Coastal Plains Climate -30 to 55 inches of rain per year -Noticeable Seasons

Gulf Coastal Plains Human Characteristics -Largest Cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin, Brownsville) -Very Large Populations

Gulf Coastal Plains Industry -Agriculture -Timber -Shipping -Military -Oil and gas Technology

DID YOU KNOW? The Gulf Coastal Plains and the Central plains are almost exactly divided by I-35. When traveling to Austin from Round Rock on the left are Gulf Coastal Plains, and on the Right are Central Plains.

Homework! Divide page A4 into four sections (look at mine). Each section will be labeled with the regions. Color each section to look like a topographical map that resembles the region. Make sure you include -Physical Features -Water Elements (river, rain, lakes) -Trees and Grasses