Regions: Physical and Human Characteristics

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)

Can you name the Regions of Texas?

Gulf Coastal North Central PlainsGreat PlainsMountains and Basins

Gulf Coastal Plains

Location of the Gulf Coastal PlainsCovers 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

Coastal Cities……

Houston

Dallas (on the border of North Central Plains)

San Antonio

Texarkana

Corpus Christi

Brownsville

Coastal Climate…….Hot and damp, humid

Mild

Tornadoes, hurricanes

30-55 inches of rain per year

PLANTSThe 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.

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 500 lbs!!!

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.

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..

North Central Plains

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

North Central Plains ClimateNorth 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.

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

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..

North Central Plains Culture

NORTH CENTRAL PLAINSWAYS OF LIFE

• RANCHING• COTTON AND WHEAT FARMING• NATURAL GAS FROM THE BARNETT SHALE

North Central Plains - PlantsBlue bonnets

Indian Paintbrush

Texas Oak Trees

Mesquite Trees

Bald cypress Trees

Indian Blanket

Blue Sage

Standing Cypress

North Central Plain - AnimalsBobcat

White-tailed deer

Turkeys

Screech Owl

Mexican Freetail Bat

Cliff Swallow

The Great Plains

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

Location of the Great PlainsNorthwest 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

Great Plains Cities

Amarillo

Lubbock

Abilene

San Angelo

Wichita Falls

Midland

Odessa

ClimateDry air

Tornadoes

20-30 inches of rain per year

windy

hot long summers, cold

winters

PlantsPrickly pear

Yucca

Indian Paintbrush

Cactus

AnimalsPronghorn

Prairie Dog

Snakes

Horned Toad

Way of LifeFarming - fruits, vegetables, watermelons, oats

Ranching - cattle, angora goats (mohair)

Cedar trees - fence posts

Oil and gas

Mountains and Basins

Location

Far West Texas

East border near Pecos River

South border is the Rio Grande River

North border is New Mexico deserts

CitiesEl Paso

Pecos

Kermit & Monahans in Permian Basin area

Fort Davis, Marfa, & Alpine in Mountain area

ClimateDriest part of state

8 inches of rain per year, 20 in mountains

hot days, cold nights

hot summers, cold

winters

Plants

IT IS FLAT!!!!!

• Some sagebrush

Animals

Way of LifeRanching - cattle, sheep, goat

Farming - cotton, fruits, vegetables, cantaloupes (irrigation in El Paso and Pecos River Valley)

Oil and gas - part of Permian Basin