Regions of TexasRegions of Texas

The Coastal PlainsThe Coastal Plains

p. 48 - 54p. 48 - 54

The Most Populated RegionThe Most Populated RegionThe largest natural region in Texas.The largest natural region in Texas.

The Coastal Plains vary from being The Coastal Plains vary from being completely flat to having rolling hills. completely flat to having rolling hills.

Home to more Texans than any other Home to more Texans than any other natural region. natural region.

A plentiful water supply, coupled with its A plentiful water supply, coupled with its flat land, make the Coastal Plains ideal for flat land, make the Coastal Plains ideal for farming and ranching.farming and ranching.

The Most Populated RegionThe Most Populated RegionNatural Resources:Natural Resources:

LumberLumber

CottonCotton

RiceRice

VegetablesVegetables

GrainsGrains

Grasses for cattleGrasses for cattle

Oil (Spindletop)Oil (Spindletop)

The Most Populated RegionThe Most Populated Region

Goods from the other natural regions of Goods from the other natural regions of Texas funnel into the seaports of the Texas funnel into the seaports of the Coastal Plains to the rest of the world.Coastal Plains to the rest of the world.

Likewise, goods arriving from other Likewise, goods arriving from other nations enter Texas for further distribution.nations enter Texas for further distribution.

The The Gulf Intracoastal WaterwayGulf Intracoastal Waterway, a , a protected shipping channel, links Texas to protected shipping channel, links Texas to the southern United States and the world.the southern United States and the world.

The Most Populated RegionThe Most Populated RegionThe Coastal Plains Region has 5 different The Coastal Plains Region has 5 different geographic subsections:geographic subsections: Piney WoodsPiney Woods Gulf Coast Plains Gulf Coast Plains Post Oak BeltPost Oak Belt Blackland PrairieBlackland Prairie South Texas PlainSouth Texas Plain

All five sections lie on the plain near the Gulf of All five sections lie on the plain near the Gulf of Mexico.Mexico.There are many differences in vegetation, There are many differences in vegetation, wildlife, and other natural resources of each wildlife, and other natural resources of each section.section.

The Piney WoodsThe Piney WoodsGets its name from the pine trees that Gets its name from the pine trees that cover much of the land.cover much of the land.

Economic growth in the Piney Woods Economic growth in the Piney Woods region occurred thanks to the presence of region occurred thanks to the presence of wood and oil. wood and oil.

Farming is an important economical Farming is an important economical activity. The long growing season allows a activity. The long growing season allows a variety of fruits and vegetables to be variety of fruits and vegetables to be grown. grown.

The Gulf Coast PlainThe Gulf Coast PlainHeavy strands of grass grown in this region Heavy strands of grass grown in this region provides excellent feed for cattle. provides excellent feed for cattle.

Cattle raising is the most important agricultural Cattle raising is the most important agricultural activity in this part of Texas. activity in this part of Texas.

The long growing season allows farmers to The long growing season allows farmers to grow many kinds of crops, including rice, grow many kinds of crops, including rice, cotton, and grain sorghum. cotton, and grain sorghum.

Some of this region is heavily industrialized – Some of this region is heavily industrialized – mostly related to gas and oil products. mostly related to gas and oil products.

This region contains the 2This region contains the 2ndnd largest seaport in largest seaport in the U.S. – Houston.the U.S. – Houston.

The Post Oak BeltThe Post Oak BeltContains many oak trees and other Contains many oak trees and other hardwood trees.hardwood trees.

Many crops grown in this area include Many crops grown in this area include corn, grains, cotton, peanuts pecans, hay, corn, grains, cotton, peanuts pecans, hay, watermelon, peaches and Christmas watermelon, peaches and Christmas trees.trees.

Livestock graze in the area.Livestock graze in the area.

Education and light industry thrive here. Education and light industry thrive here. (Texas A&M)(Texas A&M)

The Blackland PrairieThe Blackland PrairieContains more of the states larger cities Contains more of the states larger cities than any other region.than any other region.

Much of Texas’ manufacturing takes place Much of Texas’ manufacturing takes place here.here.

Because of it’s fertile soil, this area is one Because of it’s fertile soil, this area is one of the most important agricultural regions of the most important agricultural regions in the state.in the state.

Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin are some Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin are some of the large cities in the Blackland Prairie.of the large cities in the Blackland Prairie.

South Texas PlainsSouth Texas PlainsDrier than the Gulf Coast Plains.Drier than the Gulf Coast Plains.

Vegetation includes plants that require Vegetation includes plants that require little water.little water.

Many people earn their living in Many people earn their living in agriculture- the growing season is more agriculture- the growing season is more than 10 months.than 10 months.The southern most part of this region is called The southern most part of this region is called the Lower Rio Grande Valley where fruit is the Lower Rio Grande Valley where fruit is grown. Texas is one of the nations four largest grown. Texas is one of the nations four largest producers of oranges, grapefruits, and lemons.producers of oranges, grapefruits, and lemons.

Using your pencil, lightly Using your pencil, lightly shade the Coastal Plains shade the Coastal Plains

region on your mapregion on your map