Regions: Physical and Human Characteristics

Objectives : Know the 4 regions of Texas Understand the different physical characteristics of each region Understand how physical differences affect human characteristics (way of life)

Can you name the Regions of Texas? Gulf Coastal Central Plains Great Plains Mountains and Basins

Gulf Coastal Plains

Location of the Gulf Coastal Plains Covers 1/3 of the land of Texas Northeast border is the Sabine River Southeast border is the Gulf of Mexico West border is the Balcones Escarpment

Coastal Cities…… Houston Dallas (on the border of Central Plains) San Antonio Texarkana Corpus Christi Brownsville

Coastal Climate……. Hot and damp, humid Tornadoes, hurricanes inches of rain per year

PLANTS The land along the Gulf Coast is very near sea level. It is hard for water to drain off the land, since there is nowhere lower for the water to go. Much of the coast of Texas is made up of marshes----wetlands where a variety of tall grasses grow.

Coastal Animals…. Many kinds of animals live in the coastal region… To name a few… Quail Hawks Owls Hundreds of other birds Bald eagle White tail deer Foxes Skunks River otters Bobcats Alligators in the marshes!!! Some weigh up to 500 lbs!!!

Way of life…. The gulf coast is a major center of economic activity. The marshlands provide breeding grounds for ocean life, which make the fish and shrimp businesses very important. Seafood! The port of Houston is one of the 10 busiest ports in the world.

OIL AND GAS ….. Along the coastal region you will find many oil rigs that are on-shore and off-shore…. The ocean gives easy access to ship the oil and gas to where it needs to go..

Central Plains

Location of Central Plains The Great Plains include the Llano Estacado, the Panhandle, Edwards Plateau, Toyah Basin and the Llano Uplift. It is border on the east by the Caprock Escarpment in the panhandle and by the Balcones Fault to the southeast. Picture of Edwards Plateau

Central Plain Cities….. Austin Waco Fredericksburg Llano The Hill Country is a popular name for the area of hills along the Balcones Fault and is a transitional area between the Great Plains and the Gulf Coastal Plains.

Central Plains Climate Central Texas is shaped by its many rivers and hills. The climate is subtropical. In a single year the region can receive up to 48 inches of rain, and flooding is common near rivers and in low lying areas. 

Central Plains - Plants Blue bonnets Indian Paintbrush Texas Oak Trees Mesquite Trees Baldcypress Trees

Indian Blanket Blue Sage Standing Cypress

Central Plain - Animals Bobcat White-tailed deer Turkeys Screech Owl Mexican Freetail Bat Cliff Swallow

The Great Plains

Location of the Great Plains Northeast Texas Colorado and Red Rivers are the borders. Geographic Features Rolling grassy lands Thick grasses Cross Timbers area - large areas of hardwood trees Limestone rock Higher elevation because limestone doesn't wear down easily

Great Plains Cities Amarillo Lubbock Abilene San Angelo Wichita Falls

Climate Dry air Tornadoes inches of rain per year windy

Plants Prickly pear Yucca Indian Paintbrush Cactus

Animals Pronghorn Prarie Dog Snakes Horny Toad

Way of Life Farming - fruits, vegetables, watermelons, oats Ranching - cattle, angora goats (mohair) Cedar trees - fenceposts Oil and gas

Mountains and Basins

Location Far west Texas East border near Pecos River South border is the Rio Grande North border is New Mexico

Cities El Paso Pecos Kermit & Monahans in Permian Basin area Fort Davis, Marfa, & Alpine in Mountain area

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

Plants IT IS FLAT!!!!! Some sagebrush

Animals

Way of Life Ranching - cattle, sheep, goat Farming - cotton, fruits, vegetables, cantaloupes (irrigation in El Paso and Pecos River Valley) Oil and gas - part of Permian Basin