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
North 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
Plains, desert, & hills
“Wrong way rivers” take water from driest part of state, to wettest part of state

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

7. Coastal Climate……. Hot and damp, humid Mild 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. North Central Plains

14. North Central Plain Cities…..
Austin
Waco
Fredericksburg
Llano
Fort Worth
The Hill Country is a popular name for the area of hills along the Balcones Escarpment or Fault and is a transitional area between the Great Plains and the Gulf Coastal Plains. (natural & historic landmark)
Write to side of notes

15. North Central Plains Climate
North Central Texas is shaped by its many rivers and hills. The climate is subtropical, hot long summers, and cool to cold winters. write to side of notes
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.

16. Location of North Central Plains
It is border on the east by the Caprock Escarpment in the panhandle and by the Balcones Fault to the southeast.
Rolling prairies, a few rivers write to side of notes
Picture of Edwards Plateau

17. North 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. NORTH CENTRAL PLAINS WAYS OF LIFE RANCHING COTTON AND WHEAT FARMING
NATURAL GAS FROM THE BARNETT SHALE

19. North Central Plains - Plants
Blue bonnets
Indian Paintbrush
Texas Oak Trees
Mesquite Trees
Bald cypress Trees

20. Indian Blanket
Standing Cypress
Blue Sage

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

23. The Great Plains
The Great Plains include the Llano Estacado, the Panhandle, Edwards Plateau, Toyah Basin and the Llano Uplift. (natural & historic landmark)

24. Location of the Great Plains
Northwest 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
Palo Duro Canyon (natural & historic landmark)
Canyons, escarpments, plains, aquifers, & plateaus

25. Great Plains Cities Amarillo Lubbock Abilene San Angelo Wichita Falls
Midland
Odessa

26. Climate Dry air Tornadoes 20-30 inches of rain per year windy
hot long summers, cold
winters

27. Plants
Prickly pear
Yucca
Indian Paintbrush
Cactus

28. Animals
Pronghorn
Prairie Dog
Snakes
Horned Toad

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

30. Mountains and Basins

31. Location Far West Texas East border near Pecos River
South border is the Rio Grande River
North border is New Mexico deserts

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

33. Climate Driest part of state
8 inches of rain per year, 20 in mountains
hot days, cold nights
hot summers, cold
winters

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

35. Animals

36. 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