2. Regions of Texas

The Regions of Texas

• Essential Question: How does the environment you live in determine HOW you live?

Overview of Texas Regions

• Texas is divided into four main regions:

  1. Coastal Plains

  2. Central Plains

  3. Great Plains

  4. Mountains & Basins

Plains

• Definition of Plains: A large area of flat land with rolling hills and few trees.

• Vocabulary Note: Write vocabulary at the bottom of the notes page or in a suitable place in digital format.

Ecoregions in Texas

• Definition: An ecoregion is an ecosystem within Texas characterized by unique plants, animals, and climate.

• Example:

  • Piney Woods: Tall pine trees.

  • Trans-Pecos: More desert-like with cacti.

Ecoregions List

1. Piney Woods

2. Post Oak Belt

3. Blackland Prairie

4. Gulf Coast Plain

5. South Texas Plain

6. Rolling Plains

7. Grand Prairie

8. Cross Timbers

9. High Plains

10. Edwards Plateau

11. Llano Basin

12. None = Austin (State Capital)

Coastal Plains

• Overview:

  • Largest region in Texas, covering 1/3 of the state.

  • 2/3 of all Texans live here.

• Soil: Fertile soil, conducive for agriculture.

Climate and Plant Life in Coastal Plains

• Climate:

  • Heavy rain, hot and humid conditions.

  • Variety from tropical storms along the coast to mild rain in various areas.

• Plant life includes:

  • Pine trees, fruit trees, nut trees, and coastal grass.

Key Features of Coastal Plains

1. Pine Forest: Stretches 125 miles.

2. Oak, hickory, and other trees with prairies.

3. Small strips of flat prairie land.

4. Coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.

5. South Texas plains: 270 miles long and 250 miles wide.

Major Cities in Coastal Plains

• Significant urban centers include:

  • Dallas

  • Austin

  • San Antonio

  • Houston

  • Corpus Christi

  • Galveston

  • Brownsville

North Central Plains

• Description: An area of plains with small oak trees, brush, and scattered grasses; characterized by hills and valleys.

Climate, Plants, and Landmarks in North Central Plains

• Soil: Slightly rocky.

• Landforms: Rolling plains.

• Climate: Little rain, slightly more than the Great Plains; tornadoes frequent.

• Plant life includes grasses, shrubs, peaches, pecans, and cotton.

Major Cities in North Central Plains

• Key cities include:

  • Wichita Falls

  • Abilene

  • Fort Worth (more urbanized)

Great Plains

• Location: North-central Texas, includes the Panhandle and Hill Country near Austin.

• Description: Often called a "sea of grass."

Natural Landforms and Landmarks in Great Plains

• Includes:

  • Canadian River, Red River

  • Escarpment

  • Llano Basin (rolling plains and hills)

  • Edwards Plateau

Climate and Plant Life in Great Plains

• Soil: Rocky.

• Climate: Dry with cold winters in the Panhandle.

• Notable land use: Grazing livestock.

• Historical significance: Buffalo roamed the area feeding on wild grasses.

• Plant life: Dominated by wild grasses.

Major Cities in Great Plains

• Important cities are:

  • Amarillo

  • Lubbock

  • Midland

  • Odessa.

Mountains and Basins

• Definition: Tall mountains separated by large basins and valleys.

• Soil: Hard & rocky.

Climate and Plant Life in Mountains and Basins

• Description:

  • Very few trees; primarily cactus and desert shrubs.

  • Climate: Dry air; hot days and cool nights with little rainfall.

Natural Landforms and Landmarks in Mountains and Basins

• Key features include:

  • Rio Grande River

  • Big Bend National Park

  • Border with Mexico.

Major Cities in Mountains and Basins

• Significant settlements:

  • El Paso

  • Fort Davis

  • Pecos.