Exploring Regions of Texas: Physical & Human Characteristics

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) • SanAntonio • 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 500 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. 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 Picture of Edwards Plateau

15. 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)

16. 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. • 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.

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 grassylands • 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