1. Regions: Physical and Human Characteristics

2. 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)

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

4. Gulf Coastal Plains

5. 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

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

7. Coastal Climate……. Hot and damp, humid Tornadoes, hurricanes
30-55 inches of rain per year

8. 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.

9. 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 lbs!!!

11. 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.

12. 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..

13. Central Plains

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Central Plains Culture
In the summer, one of the favorite activities is floating down a creek or river in an inner tube (tubing). Spring is a time for residents to drive the winding back roads and take in the rainbow of colors produced by the blooming wildflowers, including Bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush. In the fall and winter, hunters visit in hopes of taking home a white-tailed deer.
Some of the favorite local cuisines are barbecue and a variation on traditional Mexican food affectionately referred to as Tex-Mex..

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

19. Indian Blanket
Standing Cypress
Blue Sage

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

22. The Great Plains

23. 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

24. Great Plains Cities
Amarillo
Lubbock
Abilene
San Angelo
Wichita Falls

25. Climate
Dry air
Tornadoes
20-30 inches of rain per year
windy

26. Plants
Prickly pear
Yucca
Indian Paintbrush
Cactus

27. Animals
Pronghorn
Prarie Dog
Snakes
Horny Toad

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

29. Mountains and Basins

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

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

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

33. Plants
IT IS FLAT!!!!!
Some sagebrush

34. Animals

35. 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