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NAME ________________________________________ DATE _____________ CLASS ______

Regions of Texas

Lesson 4: Coastal Plains

Terms to Knowoverseas abroad; across the seasroute a line of travelpetrochemical any substance made from petroleum or natural gasalluvial soil rich soil that has been deposited from flowing river water

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONESSENTIAL QUESTIONHow do people adapt to their environment?

Where in the world? Where in the world?

New Braunfels

HoustonPasadena

Victoria

102°W104°W 100°W 98°W 96°W 94°W

26°N

28°N

30°N

32°N

34°N

Gulfof

Mexico

Oklahoma

Texas

Arkansas

NewMexico

Louisiana

MEXICO

Red R.

LakeBuchanan

Rio Grande

C olorado R.

Brazos R.

Sabine R.

Brownsville

Texarkana

Longview

San Antonio

Edinburg

Austin

Huntsville

Victoria

Bryan

CollegeStation

Nacogdoches

Sherman

DallasTyler

McAllen

LaredoKingsville

Beaumont

New Braunfels

Corpus Christi

Orange

Templepppp eeeee llmmTT

San Marcos Houston

Galveston

Waco

Harlingen

PortArthurPasadena

BastropConroe

0 100 kilometers

100 miles0

Albers Equal-Area projection

Gulf Coast PlainSouth Texas PlainPiney WoodsPost Oak BeltBlackland PrairieArea outsideCoastal Plains

N

S

EW

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Natural Texas

NAME ________________________________________ DATE _____________ CLASS ______

Regions of Texas

Lesson 4: Coastal Plains, continued

Marking the

Text

1. Highlight the information that explains why the Coastal Plain has a good water supply.

Identifying

2. What kinds of extreme weather events does this region have?

Explaining

3. Why is oil an important resource in the Coastal Plain?

Reading

Progress Check

4. What are three of the region’s natural resources?

A Growing RegionGuiding Question What is the location and importance of the Coastal Plains?

The Coastal Plains is largest region in Texas. It extends from eastern and southeastern parts of the United States into Texas and south to Mexico. In Texas, the Coastal Plains are east of the North Central Plains. The inland border is the Balcones Escarpment. Elevations are low in this coastal region—from just a few feet up to 1,000 feet (305 m).

The climate on the region’s coast is hot and humid. Winds from the Gulf of Mexico bring moisture to the coast. This creates a dependable water supply. However, tropical storms and hurricanes are common to the area. They can damage property and cost lives. In Galveston, about 6,000 people died in the 1900 hurricane. In 2001, tropical storm Allison brought flooding and great damage to Houston and other parts of the region.

More people live in the Coastal Plains than in the rest of Texas. A warm climate and a good water supply support agriculture and other industries. The coastal location brings in shipping. Pinewood forests are located in East Texas, and lumber from these forests is used for building materials and other products. In parts of the region, good soils produce cotton, rice, vegetables, and grains. Livestock graze on the grasses of drier areas.

Oil discoveries, such as the Spindletop oil field in 1901, have greatly enriched the region. Oil processing and products are important to the region’s economy. Shipping and warehousing industries grew out of the oil industry.

A network of roads, railroads, and pipelines transports goods to and from the seaports. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway reaches from Brownsville to Apalachee Bay in Florida. This waterway gives Texas access to trade along the nation’s southeastern coast. It also links Texas to countries overseas.

The Coastal Plains can be divided into five smaller geographic areas:

• the Blackland Prairie

• the Post Oak Belt

• the Piney Woods

• the Gulf Coast Plain

• the South Texas Plain

52 Reading Essentials and Study Guide

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NAME ________________________________________ DATE _____________ CLASS ______

Regions of Texas

Lesson 4: Coastal Plains, continued

Marking the

Text

5. Highlight how the plant life on the Blackland Prairie has changed over time.

Listing

6. List at least three features of San Antonio.

Reading

Progress Check

7. Why is Dallas a transportation hub?

Reading

Progress Check

8. How is land used in the Post Oak Belt?

Blackland PrairieGuiding Question What are the important features and cities of the Blackland Prairie?

The Blackland Prairie reaches from the Red River in the north to San Antonio in the south. Once, many kinds of native grasses grew on the prairie. Today, the land is important for growing cotton.

Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas. It is home to financial, insurance, electronics, and technology industries. Retailers visit the merchandising center of Dallas looking for items to buy for their stores. Landmarks include the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. This museum explores the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The Dallas area has some popular sports teams.

Dallas has a central location. This helps make the city a transportation hub. Transportation routes include highways, railroads, and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. They all provide important links to the nation and the world.

To the south is San Antonio. It is the second-largest city in Texas. It has become a major location for customer-support call centers in the country. Military bases are also important. The U.S. Army's Fort Sam Houston and three U.S. Air Force bases are there. Visitors flock to San Antonio to see the Alamo and the River Walk along the San Antonio River. The city is also a lively center of Mexican American culture.

The Texas capital, Austin, is the home of state government. Several high-technology firms are located in Austin. The University of Texas at Austin is there too. The city has a lively music scene that is known worldwide.

The Post Oak BeltGuiding Question What natural features mark the Post Oak Belt?

The Post Oak Belt is an area of oak, hickory, and other hardwood trees. Soils in the Post Oak Belt are good for growing corn, grains, cotton, peanuts, pecans, hay, watermelon, peaches, and Christmas trees. The land is also used to graze livestock.

Light industry and education are also important to the area. Texas A&M University is in the Bryan and College Station area. Medicine, agriculture, and service industries are there. The Post Oak Belt has no large cities. Tyler, the largest, is nicknamed the “Rose Capital of America” because of the thousands of roses that are grown there.

In the Bastrop State Park area there is a species of pine called Pinus taeda. It can sometimes live 250 years. The forest is called the Lost Pines. Experts think that it was once part of a larger pine forest.

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Natural TexasRegions of Texas

Lesson 4: Coastal Plains, continued

Marking the

Text

9. Highlight where oil was discovered in the Piney Woods.

Reading

Progress Check

10. Name two major industries of the Piney Woods.

Marking the

Text

11. Highlight information about the petrochemical industry in the Gulf Coast and South Texas Plains.

Defining

12. What is alluvial soil?

Piney WoodsGuiding Question What are the physical characteristics and industries of the Piney Woods?

The Piney Woods extend south from the Red River on the Texas coast. Its forests supply most of the state’s timber industry. The national forests of Angelina, Sabine, Sam Houston, and Davy Crockett are part of the area. The Big Thicket National Preserve has dense forests and swamps.

Wood and oil are natural resources that are important to the area’s economic health. Lumber-related businesses are there. The 1930s discovery of a large oil field in Gregg, Rusk, and Smith counties led to a population boom.

Farming is also important. The Piney Woods has a long growing season. This makes it possible to grow fruits, vegetables, roses, and garden plants.

Texarkana is a manufacturing and medical center on the Texas-Arkansas boundary. The community of Longview is a center for industry, conventions, and recreation. Huntsville is home to the state’s prison system. Conroe and other northern suburbs of Houston are also in the Piney Woods.

The Gulf Coast and South Texas PlainsGuiding Question How does the South Texas Plain compare with the Gulf Coast Plain?

The Gulf Coast Plain has excellent grasslands. This makes cattle ranching a major industry in the area. Cotton, sorghum, and rice are also grown. The Gulf Coast Plain also serves heavy industry. Many petrochemical industries, or businesses related to oil and gas, are found across the area.

Houston is the state’s largest city. It has about 2 million people. Its economy is varied, with ties to science, technology, banking, and oil. Houston is a leader in the petrochemical industry. Its oil refineries ship oil in tankers through the Houston Ship Channel. This channel connects Houston and the Gulf of Mexico. Houston also has popular sport teams. It is also home to the Johnson Space Center for astronaut training.

Corpus Christi is also important to the petrochemical industry. The city is home to a U.S. Navy base and an active fishing and

54 Reading Essentials and Study Guide

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NAME ________________________________________ DATE _____________ CLASS ______

Regions of Texas

Lesson 4: Coastal Plains, continued

Reading

Progress Check

13. What conditions make it possible for farmers of the “Winter Garden” to grow fruits and vegetables for sale in winter?

shrimping industry. Beaumont is a petroleum-refining center. Galveston has tourism, fishing, and shipping. Victoria is important in agriculture and petrochemicals.

The South Texas Plain is drier than the Gulf Coast Plain. In this drier area, vegetation includes prickly pear cactus, mesquite, black brush, and other shrubs. A long, 10-month growing season makes cattle ranching, farming, and related businesses possible. Well water and streams serve an area known as the “Winter Garden.” This is a cluster of counties where vegetables and fruits are grown and sold in winter.

In the lower Rio Grande Valley, rich alluvial soil from river deposits help to grow citrus trees. These include orange, grapefruit, and lemon.

The city of Laredo is important for rail transport and meatpacking. It is the main entry point for trucks carrying products to and from Mexico. Other cities in the region are Brownsville, McAllen, and Harlingen.

WritingWriting

Check for Understanding1. Expository Describe the role of the petrochemical industry in the Coastal Plains Region.

2. Persuasive Give reasons why you think more people live in this region than in the other Texas regions.

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