Free Vector map of the state of Texas, USA, main roads with numbers, colored counties with names.

Free Vector map of the state of Texas, USA, main roads with numbers, colored counties with names.
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Texas, the second-largest state in the United States by area and population, is a vast and geographically diverse region located in the southern part of the country. Known as the “Lone Star State,” Texas features a variety of landscapes, climates, and ecosystems, ranging from arid deserts and fertile plains to lush forests and coastal wetlands. Below is a detailed geographic description of Texas:

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General Location

• Region: South Central United States.
• Coordinates: Approximately 31°N latitude and 99°W longitude.
• Borders:
  • North: Oklahoma (separated by the Red River).
  • East: Arkansas and Louisiana.
  • South: Gulf of Mexico and Mexico (separated by the Rio Grande).
  • West: New Mexico.

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Size and Area

• Total Area: 268,596 square miles (2nd largest state in the U.S. after Alaska).
• Land Area: 261,231 square miles.
• Water Area: 7,365 square miles.
• Population: Approximately 30 million (as of 2023), making it the second most populous state.

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Major Geographic Features

1. Physiographic Regions

Texas is divided into several geographic regions, each with distinct characteristics:

1. Gulf Coastal Plains:
   • Covers the eastern and southeastern portions of the state.
   • Features flat terrain, coastal wetlands, and forests.
   • Includes major cities like Houston and Corpus Christi.
   • Subregions:
     • Piney Woods: Dense forests in East Texas.
     • Blackland Prairie: Fertile agricultural lands.
     • South Texas Brush Country: Semi-arid region transitioning to desert.
2. Interior Lowlands:
   • Located in the north-central part of Texas.
   • Known for rolling plains, ranching, and agriculture.
   • Includes the Cross Timbers and Grand Prairie regions.
3. Great Plains:
   • Extends from the Texas Panhandle to the Edwards Plateau.
   • Characterized by flat grasslands and escarpments like the Caprock Escarpment.
   • Includes Palo Duro Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the U.S.
4. Basin and Range Province:
   • Located in far West Texas.
   • Includes the Chihuahuan Desert, Guadalupe Mountains, and Big Bend National Park.
   • Features Texas’ highest point, Guadalupe Peak (8,751 feet).
5. Edwards Plateau:
   • Located in central Texas.
   • Includes the Texas Hill Country, known for rugged terrain and spring-fed rivers.

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2. Major Rivers

• Rio Grande:
  • Forms the natural border between Texas and Mexico.
• Red River:
  • Marks the northern boundary with Oklahoma.
• Brazos River:
  • One of the longest rivers entirely within Texas, flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.
• Colorado River (Texas):
  • Notable for creating Lake Travis near Austin.
• Sabine River:
  • Forms part of the border with Louisiana.
• Trinity River:
  • Flows through Dallas and Fort Worth to the Gulf of Mexico.

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3. Lakes and Reservoirs

• Texas has few natural lakes; most are reservoirs created by damming rivers.
• Caddo Lake:
  • One of the only natural lakes in Texas, located in East Texas.
• Lake Texoma:
  • A large reservoir on the Red River.
• Lake Travis:
  • Part of the Highland Lakes chain near Austin.
• Sam Rayburn Reservoir:
  • The largest reservoir entirely in Texas.

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4. Deserts

• Chihuahuan Desert:
  • Dominates far West Texas, including areas near El Paso and Big Bend National Park.
• Features desert flora like cacti and yucca.

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5. Mountains

• Guadalupe Mountains:
  • Home to Guadalupe Peak and El Capitan.
• Davis Mountains:
  • Known for cooler temperatures and unique ecosystems.
• Franklin Mountains:
  • Located near El Paso.

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Climate

• Type: Varies widely due to Texas’ size and geographic diversity.
• Regions:
  • Humid Subtropical:
    • Found in the eastern part of the state, including Houston and Dallas.
  • Semi-Arid:
    • Covers central Texas, including the Hill Country.
  • Arid Desert:
    • Dominates western Texas, particularly in the Chihuahuan Desert.
  • Mediterranean/Coastal:
    • Found along the Gulf Coast.
• Seasons:
  • Winters: Mild in the south; colder with occasional snowfall in the Panhandle.
  • Summers: Hot and humid, especially in the eastern and coastal regions.
  • Spring/Fall: Mild with frequent thunderstorms and tornado activity.
• Precipitation:
  • Varies from over 50 inches annually in East Texas to less than 10 inches in the western desert.

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Natural Resources

1. Energy:
   • Leading producer of oil, natural gas, and wind energy in the U.S.
   • Major oil fields: Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, and Barnett Shale.
2. Agriculture:
   • Top crops: cotton, cattle, corn, and wheat.
3. Forests:
   • Pine forests dominate East Texas.
4. Minerals:
   • Includes limestone, gypsum, and sulfur.

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Major Urban Areas

1. Houston:
   • The largest city in Texas, known for its energy and medical industries.
2. San Antonio:
   • Famous for the Alamo and River Walk.
3. Dallas-Fort Worth:
   • A major metropolitan area and economic hub.
4. Austin:
   • The state capital, known for its technology and music scene.
5. El Paso:
   • Located in West Texas, near the border with Mexico.

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Transportation Geography

1. Highways:
   • Interstate 10: East-west corridor from Louisiana to El Paso.
   • Interstate 35: North-south corridor connecting Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.
   • Interstate 45: Links Houston and Dallas.
2. Rail:
   • Extensive freight rail system.
   • Amtrak services include the Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited.
3. Airports:
   • Major hubs: Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston).
4. Ports:
   • Port of Houston: One of the largest U.S. ports.
   • Other Gulf Coast ports include Galveston and Corpus Christi.

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Recreational and Cultural Attractions

1. National Parks:
   • Big Bend National Park: Famous for its desert landscapes and Rio Grande views.
   • Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Features Texas’ highest peaks.
2. State Parks:
   • Over 80 state parks offering hiking, camping, and fishing.
3. Historical Sites:
   • The Alamo and San Jacinto Monument.
4. Cultural Events:
   • Rodeos, state fairs, and music festivals like Austin City Limits.

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Natural Hazards

• Hurricanes: Threaten Gulf Coast regions, especially during summer and fall.
• Tornadoes: Common in North Texas, part of Tornado Alley.
• Droughts: Periodic droughts affect agriculture and water supplies.
• Flooding: Flash floods can occur due to intense thunderstorms.

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Historical Context

• Originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples such as the Caddo and Comanche.
• Became part of Spanish, then Mexican territories before achieving independence in 1836.
• Annexed by the U.S. in 1845 as the 28th state.