Chapter 3:

The Regions of Texas

Section 4:

The Great Plains

The Central Plains

HighPlains

High Plains

• High plains cover most of the Texas Panhandle

• High Plains are higher than the Central Plains

High Plains

• Caprock—hard bed of rock beneath the soil of the High Plains

• Erosion of the rock has created cliffs called Escarpments

High Plains

Palo Duro Canyon

High Plains

• The High Plains receives little regular rainfall

• Rich grass lands attracted ranchers

• Grasslands farmed with irrigation—wheat and cotton raised

High Plains

• Cities

– Lubbock & Amarillo—meat processing

– Midland & Odessa—oil production

Edwards Plateau

Edwards PlateauThe Balcones Escarpment separates

the Edwards Plateau from the Gulf Coastal Plain.

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Edwards Plateau

•Fault—break in the earth’s crust

• Fault line extends through San Antonio & Austin

Edwards Plateau

• Deep hard layer of limestone below the soil

• Erosion has cut into limestone causing a rocky landscape

Edwards Plateau

Ranchers have adapted to the

environment in rocky areas by raising sheep and goats.

Edwards Plateau

• Cities– Austin:

largest city on the Edwards Plateau

– Del Rio

– San Angelo