1. The Four Regions of Texas

2. 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.

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

4. 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

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

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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