Download - Texas and Texans
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?