Regions of Texas

Essential Question: How do physical and human characteristics distinguish the four regions of Texas?

Natural RegionsAre determined by physical geography features such as landforms, climate, vegetation.

The 4 natural regions of Texas are:

North Central Plains-Just to the west of Dallas, includes Ft. Worth

Coastal Plains– This region is along the Gulf of Mexico

Great Plains– Mostly the northern part of the state or the

Panhandle

Mountains and Basins– West Texas where the Mountains are.

Coastal Plains Region

The largest of all the four regions. Makes up nearly 1/3 of Texas 2/3rds of all Texans live in the Coastal PlainsIndustries include oil, natural gas, and seafood. Cities in the Coastal Plains:– Dallas– Houston– San Antonio

Central Plains

North Central Plains

The North Central Plains is an area of plains covered by small oak trees, brush, and scattered grasses.

The Region gets higher in elevation and dryer the farther the west you go

Cities:

-Ft. Worth

-Abilene

-Wichita Falls

North Central Plains

Major Industries – Transportation Center, agriculture, livestock, meat and dairy processing centers

Great Plains

The Great Plains lies in the northern and central part of the state.

It includes the Panhandle and the Hill Country (near Austin) Major Industries – Oil, natural gas, farming and ranching

Great Plains

High Plains – (Lubbock, Amarillo, Odessa and Midland)– Flat, open prairie– Little rainfall in High Plains, farmers pump

water from Ogallala Aquifer to irrigate

Edwards Plateau – (Austin)– hilly area (rocky landscape)

High Plains

Edwards Plateau

Mountain and Basin Region

Mountains and Basins Region

Has highest point of Texas, Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet.

Big Bend National Park

Cities: El Paso

Major Industries: tourism, limited farming/ranching, oil, silver, and sulfur

Tall mountains separated by large basins and valleys.

Trees grow in the mountains. Cactus, shrubs, and short grasses grow in the basins and valleys.

Very little rain.