The Four Regions of Texas

Texas Climate Texas generally has hot summers and mild winters. Snow may fall in many parts of Texas. Climate differs greatly across the state. Rainfall varies greatly across the state. Even in the wetter areas, Texas has had problems with drought. Drought is a long period in which rain falls at a much lower rate than usual.

The Coastal Plains Borders North: Red River Southwest: Rio Grande West: Balcones Fault Southeast: Gulf of Mexico

The Coastal Plains Land Western Edge: nearly 1000 ft above sea level Along the Coast: Low and Marshy Vegetation Gulf Coast area: Coastal Prairie supports rice industry East Texas: Pine forests of the Piney Woods West of the Piney Woods: Forests of the Post Oak Belt and Eastern Cross Timbers

The Mountains and Basins Borders North: New Mexico South and West: Rio Grande East: Edwards Plateau

The Mountains and Basins Land This region includes scattered mountain ranges and flat desert basins. Major mountain ranges include the Guadalupe, Davis, Chalk, and Glass Mountains. Big Bend National Park is in the Mountains and Basins region. Vegetation Desert: cacti, mesquite, and other desert plants Mountains: some forest growth

The Great Plains Borders North: Oklahoma South: Edwards Plateau East: Caprock Escarpment West: Edwards Plateau

The Great Plains Land Northern High Plains: mostly flat; some canyons Southern High Plains: The Llano Estacado is smooth and level South: The Edwards Plateau has hilly terrain Vegetation The Great Plains region is dry and has very few trees Much of the region is grassland Parts of the region are important farming areas

The North Central Plains Borders North: Red River South: Edwards Plateau East: Balcones Escarpment West: Caprock Escarpment

The North Central Plains Land Elevation: Decreases from west to east Much of the region’s land is rolling and hilly In the South: buttes (steep-sided hills) and mesas (larger; similar landforms with flat tops) Vegetation East: the Grande Prairie Central: forests of the Western Cross Timbers West: grasslands of the Rolling Plains Farming and ranching dominate the North Central Plains