There are four physical regions of Texas that you will need to know…

Regions of Texas High Plains Central Plains Mountains and Basins Gulf Coastal Plains

Gulf Coastal Plains Resources: Climate: This is where we live! Like the name says, the Gulf Coastal Plains region is along the Gulf Coast of Texas, and includes several large cities (like Houston, Dallas, Austin). Resources: Tree farms Fishing Oil and gas Ranching Factories Climate: Hot and damp, humid Tornadoes, hurricanes 30-55 inches of rain per year

Gulf Coastal Plains Geographic Features: Northeast border is the Sabine River. Southeast border is the Gulf of Mexico. Geographic Features: Land is flat and low (has low elevation). Wooded land and coastal sands Big Thicket National Preserve - forest in SE Texas Rivers - Brazos, Colorado, Trinity Good soils along rivers

Central Plains Climate: Resources: Dry air Tornadoes 20-30 inches of rain per year Resources: Farming - fruits, vegetables, watermelons, oats Ranching - cattle, angora goats (mohair) Oil and gas

Central Plains Geographic Features: Rolling grassy lands Thick grasses East border is the Coastal Plains South border is the Colorado River North border is the Red River West border is the Cap Rock Escarpment Geographic Features: Rolling grassy lands Thick grasses Cross Timbers area - large areas of hardwood trees Limestone rock Higher elevation than Gulf Coast because limestone doesn't wear down easily

High Plains Region Climate: Resources: Dry air Hot summers Cold winters Dust storms 16-20 inches of rain per year Resources: Farming - cotton, wheat (irrigation from wells) Ranching - cattle, sheep, goat Oil and gas in the Permian Basin

High Plains Region Geographic Features: Flat Few trees Most of the Panhandle and Edwards Plateau East & South borders are escarpments Southwest border is the Mountains and Basins Region Geographic Features: Flat Few trees Canyons in North (Palo Duro Canyon) Higher elevation than Central Plains Cap Rock Escarpment Edwards Plateau

Mountains and Basins Region Resources: Ranching - cattle, sheep, goat Oil and gas - part of Permian Basin Climate: Driest part of state 8 inches of rain per year, 20 in mountains Hot days, cool nights

Mountains and Basins Region Far west Texas East border near Pecos River South border is the Rio Grande North border is New Mexico Geographic Features: 150 mountains in the mountain ranges Plateaus and basins Deserts Pecos and Rio Grande Rivers Big Bend National Park

Review Time… 2. 1. 4. 3.

Review Time… Which region do we live in? Which region is the driest? The most humid? Which region has the highest population (or most large cities)? Which region has the highest elevation? Which region is known for the forests? Which 2 regions are separated by the Cap Rock Escarpment?

Any questions?