The Gulf Coastal Plain Region A geographic section

The Gulf Coastal Plain Region

• A geographic section or subregion is an area that has similarities in vegetation, wildlife, and other natural resources. • There are 5 subregions that make up the Coastal Plains.

5 Subregions: • The Piney Woods (blue) – Eastern most subregion • The Gulf Coast Plain (yellow) – South and west of the Piney Woods • The Post Oak Belt (purple) – West of both Piney Woods and Gulf Coast Plain

5 Subregions: • The Blackland Prairie (brown) – Stretches west along Post Oak Belt • The South Texas Plain (pink) – West of the Gulf Coast Plain

Piney Woods • There are 4 Natural Forests that are found the in Piney Woods: – The Angelina – Sabine – Sam Houston – Davy Crocket

Piney Woods • Much of the Big Thicket area is a swamp. • An important economic activity in the Piney Woods is Lumbering. Rain in this area helps support this industry.

Gulf Coast Plain • Heavy stands of grasses grow in many parts of the Gulf Coast Plain. • The single most important industry here is the production of petrochemicals. (chemicals made from oil and gas that are used in most industries. )

• Houston is the largest city in Texas and the third largest seaport in the United States. It is located in the Gulf Coast Region. • Tyler is known as the “Rose Capital of the World”. It is located in the Post Oak Belt.

The South Texas Plain • Lies west of the Gulf • The climate in the Coast Plain. subregion is drier than the Gulf Coast Plain. • Extends south to the Gulf of Mexico where • Grasslands cover this the land is low and flat. coastal section, but dense brushlands • In the northern and characterize this western area, the land subregion. gently rises and becomes more hilly

South Texas Plain • The South Texas Plain has one of the richest farming areas in the nation. • Temperatures are warm for most of the year. • The Valley has fertile soils from sediment washed down the Rio Grande.

South Texas Plain • Ranches are common throughout the South Texas Plain. • The subregion is mostly rural. • San Antonio is the largest city in the subregion. • The South Texas region is a major center for international trade.

The Post Oak Belt • The Post Oak Belt begins just outside San Antonio and stretches north the Red River. • It lies west of the Piney Woods and the Gulf Coast Plain. • The Belt has a similar climate to that of the Piney Woods.

The Post Oak Belt • Few part of the Post Oak Belt are covered in trees such as post oak, blackjack oak, elm, hickory, pecan and walnut trees. • Mesquite trees are becoming more common. • The area’s soil is sandier and the land is mostly flat.

The Post Oak Belt • Cotton is a major crop as well as sorghum, corn and grain to feed livestock. • Livestock is a major industry. Farmers raise cattle and hogs. • The regional economy depends on natural resources such as oil and natural gas.

The Post Oak Belt • Most people in the Post Oak areas live in rural communities. • The largest cities in the Post Oak Belt are Bryan-College Station

Blackland Prairie • The Blackland Prairie has more of the state’s larger cities than any other subregion, such as, Dallas, Garland, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Plano, Richardson, Sherman, Temple, and Waco. • Allen is a part of the Blackland Prairie as well!

• Austin has many high technology firms and is becoming an important computer research center. • Many people in the South Texas Plain earn their living in agriculture and farmingrelated industries.