1. Chapter 2 Section 3 (Texans and Geography) and 4 (Natural Resources of Texas)

2. Who Texans Are
Texas is mostly populated by people who moved from other lands.
Immigration is the movement of people from one country to another
Texans have many backgrounds, ethnicities, and races which contributes to the state’s cultural diversity

3. Who Texans Are
First people were the Native Americans who moved into the area thousands of years ago
Europeans began arriving in late 1400s and brought diseases and warfare, greatly diminishing the Native American population

4. Who Texans Are
The first European immigrants were from Spain. They settled in Mexico and moved north into Texas, bringing the Spanish language and Catholic faith.
Mexican immigrants are the largest group of immigrants to Texas even now, making up about 30% of the Texas population

5. Who Texans Are
Other European immigrants come from Germany, Czechoslovakia, France, Ireland, and many other countries and greatly influenced Texas foods, place names, music and more
Many African Americans were brought to Texas as slaves during the 1800s. They have influenced music, religious practices, etc.

6. Who Texans Are
There has been an influx of Asian Americans to Texas. They brought with them foods and traditions. They also brought different religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam.

7. Where Texans have Settled
Many regions of Texas have been settled by people with similar ethnic backgrounds
People from Mexico – Rio Grande Valley and South Texas
Early settlers from southern US settled in East Texas
Large groups of German and Czech immigrants settled in Central Texas

8. The Growing Population of Texas
Demography – branch of geography that studies human populations
Growth Rate – speed of growth
Birthrate – number of births per 1000 people
Death rate – number of deaths per people

9. The Growing Population of Texas
Texas birthrate is higher than the death rate causing a higher growth rate
Immigration and migration also cause the Texas growth rate to increase
As Texans live longer and more are born, the age distribution (portion of the population at each age) of the state changes

10. Agricultural Resources
The climate, soil, and water resources allow Texans to make their living from agriculture
Agriculture is the growing of crops and raising of animals
East Texas – fruits, nuts, corn, tomatoes, watermelon, and a large timber industry
Gulf Coast – rice and vegetables

11. Agricultural Resources
South Texas – alfalfa, citrus fruits, cotton, melons
Panhandle – wheat and cotton
Livestock of Texas include cattle, chickens, horses, pigs, sheep, turkeys, and goats
Most of the livestock ranges are in the praires/plains where the native grasses grow freely

12. Agricultural Resources
Cattle ranching is an important part of Texas and its culture
Ranchers in rocky areas raise goats for mohair, used to make clothing.

13. Energy Resources Oil is a large part of Texas economy
Coal, natural gas, and oil are nonrenewable resources (cannot be replaced by Earth’s natural processes)
Renewable resources (can be easily replaced by Earth’s natural processes) include sunshine, trees, and wind