The Geography of TexasUnit 1

Land of ContrastsChapter 1, Section 1

Vocabulary

1. Geography 2. Environment3. Location 4. Absolute Location5. Relative Location 6. Place7. Region 8. Human-Environment Interaction9. Movement 10. Cultural Diffusion11. Diameter

Geographical Elements

Geographical Elements

Importance

Places/Regions

Human-Environment InteractionMovement

Geographical Elements

Geographical Elements

Importance

Places/Regions Important to the identity of Texas

Human-Environment Interaction

Important to the way Texans live

Movement Important to bringing ideas and culture from one place to another

Hometown Characteristics

Your Home Town

Human Characteristics

Physical Characteristics

Reflection Questions 1.1

1. How is a knowledge of geography useful to people?2. How does the relative location of Texas affect the state’s

economy?3. How do long distances pose problems for some Texans?4. Define relative location.5. How do you describe a place’s relative location?6. Define absolute location.

Discussion Question 1.1• In MLA format

• Identify the absolute location of your home (using GPS coordinates, not address).

• Identify the relative location of your home using the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth as references

• If you were giving directions to a person who had never been to your home, would you use absolute location, relative location, or a combination. Explain your answer.

Natural ResourcesChapter 1, Section 2

Vocabulary1. Plain2. Barrier Island3. Escarpment4. Fault5. Plateau6. Aquifer7. Savannah8. Grassland

The Resources of TexasMajor Rivers Major Minerals

There are ten. There are five.

The Resources of TexasMajor Rivers Major Minerals

Trinity, Colorado, Rio Grande, Petroleum and Natural Gas

Nueces, Red, Brazos, Coal

Canadian, Sabine, Neches, and Sand

Pecos Gravel

Rivers by RegionRegion River

Panhandle (2)

East Texas (5)

West Texas (1)

South Texas (4)

Rivers by RegionRegion River

Panhandle (2) Red River and Canadian River

East Texas (5) Sabine, Neches, Trinity, San Jacinto, and Brazos Rivers

West Texas (1) Rio Grande River

South Texas (4) Rio Grande, Nueces, Colorado, and Pecos Rivers

OIL

• Oil is found in all but _________ counties in Texas.• The value of oil produced in Texas (in 2001 dollars) is

$_______________.

Reflection Questions1. What noticeable difference in land levels occurs as you travel

westward?2. How is an aquifer different from a dammed lake?3. In what ways are Texas forests an important natural resource?4. What river forms the southern boundary of Texas?5. What river forms the northern boundary of Texas?6. How do Texans use land not suited for farming?

Discussion Question 1.2

• MLA Format• At least 100 words, but less than 150 words• Explain why five of the six most populous cities in Texas

are located in the Coastal Plains.

• Hint: The area around El Paso is the population center located outside the Coastal Plains.

The Climate of Texas

Chapter 1, Section 3

Vocabulary1. Middle Latitudes2. Norther

Climate ConditionsClimate Condition Effect

Cool air meets warm airGulf Coast breezes

Winds rise over the mountains

Climate ConditionsClimate Condition Effect

Cool air meets warm air

Thunderstorms, Hail, and Tornados

Gulf Coast breezes Cool in summer, warm in winter, brings rain

Winds rise over the mountains

Air is cooler, brings rain

Texas on the Gulf CoastPositive Effects (3) Negative Effect (1)

Texas on the Gulf CoastPositive Effects (3) Negative Effect (1)

Cool Summers Destructive Storms

Warm Winters

Rainfall

Reflection Questions1. Name two ways Texas’s absolute location affects

climate.2. How does elevation affect climate?3. On average, how many tornados strike Texas every

year?4. A. If you like cool summers, where in Texas would you

live?B. Where would you live if you like warm winter

temperatures?5. How does the mild climate of South Texas favorably affect the economy of that part of the state?

Notes Quiz 1.3

1. Define Middle Latitudes.2. How are storms in Texas influenced by the state’s

absolute location?3. How does elevation affect climate?4. On average, how many tornados strike Texas every year?5. If you and your family lived on the Texas Gulf Coast,

what general direction would you evacuate in the event of a hurricane?

Regions of TexasChapter 2

The Coastal PlainsChapter 2, Section 1

Vocabulary

1.Petrochemical2.Alluvial Soil

The Piney Woods

City Known forTexarkanaLongviewNacogdochesHuntsville

The Piney Woods

City Known forTexarkana Medical and manufacturing center

Longview Industrial, recreational, and convention center

Nacogdoches

Stephen F. Austin State University

Huntsville Texas Department of Criminal Justice (death row)

Reflection Questions 2.1

1. What features of the Coastal Plains make it a popular region?

2. List four important economic activities in the Gulf Coast Plain?

3. How did Dallas’s location contribute to its rapid growth?4. What is the largest natural region in Texas?5. What discovery made Texas the leading producer of oil in

the United States?

Notes Quiz 2.1

1. Which direction is Amarillo from Lubbock?2. What is the largest natural region of Texas?3. Name four important economic activities in the Gulf

Coastal Plain.4. Where is Texas A&M University located?5. Which two cities in the South Texas Plain are gateways

to Mexico?

The North Central Plains

Chapter 2, Section 2

Vocabulary

1.Butte2.Agribusiness

Facts of the North Central Plains

Geographic Section

Climate Vegetation Minerals

Cross TimbersGrand Prairie

Rolling Plains

Facts of the North Central Plains

Geographic Section

Climate Vegetation Minerals

Cross Timbers

Dry climate Oak, Hickory, Pecans, and Elms

None

Grand Prairie Dry Climate Grasses and Shrubs

Limestone

Rolling Plains

Dry in the West and Wetter in the East

Sparse vegetation

None

Major Crops

Area CropsCross Timbers

Grand Prairie

Rolling Plains

Major Crops

Area CropsCross Timbers

Peanuts, fruit, and vegetables

Grand Prairie

Wheat, peanuts, corn, grain, sorghum, and cotton

Rolling Plains

Cotton, grain, sorghum, wheat, peaches, and pecans

Reflection Questions 2.21. Why are many large cattle ranches located in the North Central Plains?2. Why do you suppose Fort Worth describes itself as “The place where

the West begins?”3. Why is the Rolling Plains area less populated than other parts of Texas?4. What is meant by the term “Metroplex” and how many counties are

included?5. How has Fort Worth changed its commercial activities over time? (list

some examples)

The Great PlainsChapter 2, Section 3

Vocabulary

1. Drought2. Erosion

Geography of the Great PlainsGeographic

SectionEconomic Activities

Edwards Plateau (7)

Llano Basin (6)

High Plains (7)

Geography of the Great PlainsGeographic

SectionEconomic Activities

Edwards Plateau (7) Cattle, goat, and sheep raising, wool, mohair, hunting and tourism

Llano Basin (6) Tourism, hunting, livestock, pecans, wool and mohair cleaning, and publishing

High Plains (7) Farming, cattle, petroleum, cotton, transportation, trade and higher education

Industries of the Great PlainsCity Industries

Amarillo

LubbockMidland/Odessa

Industries of the Great PlainsCity Industries

Amarillo Transportation and commercial center; wheat distribution; cattle market; and oil field equipment manufacturing

Lubbock Cotton production; and a commercial center

Midland/Odessa Petroleum products; and to serve the needs of the areas farmers and ranchers

Reflection Questions 2.31. How do farmers survive periods of drought in the Great

Plains?2. What mineral lies under most of the Hill Country?3. Name one striking characteristic that visitors to the High

Plains often notice.4. How is Amarillo’s location important?5. How have people used Palo Duro Canyon both in the past

and in the present?