Regions of TexasRegions of Texas

The Great PlainsThe Great Plains

p. 61 - 65p. 61 - 65

The Real “Old West”The Real “Old West”This region is found east of the Rocky This region is found east of the Rocky

Mountains. The Caprock Escarpment Mountains. The Caprock Escarpment divides the Great Plains to the east. divides the Great Plains to the east.

The Great Plains – often called “The Great Plains – often called “a sea of a sea of grassgrass” – were once home to immense herds ” – were once home to immense herds of buffalo and nomadic Native Americans. of buffalo and nomadic Native Americans.

Today much of the land is used to grow Today much of the land is used to grow cotton and wheat.cotton and wheat.

Located far from the moist Gulf winds, the Located far from the moist Gulf winds, the Great Plains region is a dry area. Great Plains region is a dry area.

Droughts are often a problem; only Droughts are often a problem; only irrigation from underground water sources irrigation from underground water sources and new techniques make farming possible.and new techniques make farming possible.

The Real “Old West”The Real “Old West”Because of its high elevation, the Great Because of its high elevation, the Great

Plains often have cooler summers than Plains often have cooler summers than other parts of Texas, and the winters are other parts of Texas, and the winters are cold. cold.

3 geological subsections lie within this 3 geological subsections lie within this region:region:Edwards PlateauEdwards PlateauLlano BasinLlano BasinHigh PlainsHigh Plains

The Edwards PlateauThe Edwards Plateau

It has a thin layer of soil making It has a thin layer of soil making most of the area ill-suited for most of the area ill-suited for farming.farming.

Almost the entire region is covered with Almost the entire region is covered with weeds and tree foliage which provide weeds and tree foliage which provide food for sheep.food for sheep.

The economy of the area depends The economy of the area depends largely on cattle, goat and sheep largely on cattle, goat and sheep raising.raising.

The Edwards PlateauThe Edwards PlateauThis section is among the nations This section is among the nations

most important wool-producing most important wool-producing areas.areas.

Del Rio is the area’s largest city.Del Rio is the area’s largest city.As the Edwards Plateau nears the As the Edwards Plateau nears the

Caprock Escarpment, it becomes a Caprock Escarpment, it becomes a hilly area of eroded limestone called hilly area of eroded limestone called the the Hill CountryHill Country..

The Llano BasinThe Llano Basin Smallest geographic Smallest geographic

section in Texas.section in Texas. The land is lower here The land is lower here

because of because of erosionerosion.. The terrain consists of The terrain consists of

rolling plains broken up rolling plains broken up by hills.by hills.

Part of the area is Part of the area is occupied by large lakes occupied by large lakes and reservoirs on the and reservoirs on the Colorado River.Colorado River.

The combination of lakes The combination of lakes and hills has given this and hills has given this section the name section the name Highland Lakes Country.Highland Lakes Country.

The High PlainsThe High PlainsOccupies most of the Panhandle. Occupies most of the Panhandle. The land is mostly flat except for 2 areas The land is mostly flat except for 2 areas

that have quite different characteristics: that have quite different characteristics: Canadian BreaksCanadian Breaks – rugged area that follows – rugged area that follows

the Canadian River. the Canadian River. Palo Duro CanyonPalo Duro Canyon – rugged area that has – rugged area that has

been carved by the Red River.been carved by the Red River.The High Plains section is divided into 2 The High Plains section is divided into 2

major parts: major parts: North Plains – wheat and grain sorghum North Plains – wheat and grain sorghum

producedproducedSouth Plains – World’s largest cottonseed South Plains – World’s largest cottonseed

producing industry.producing industry.

Using your pencil or pen, Using your pencil or pen, shade the Great Plains shade the Great Plains region on your map.region on your map.