Mountains and Basins Region

1
Mountains and Basins Region

• GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES
• Landforms mountains and basins
• West Texas is the only part of the state where
  mountains are found. There are about 150
  mountains in the mountain ranges, or groups of
  mountains, in this region.
• Guadalupe Peak highest mountain, 8,749 feet
• Between the mountain ranges are broad, raised
  areas of flat land, or plateaus. These plateaus
  have some sunken places in them, called basins.

2

• CLIMATE
• Mountains and Basins Region is the driest part of
  Texas. Rain is about 8 -20 inches a year.
• Temperature each year average 66-74 degrees
  Fahrenheit. Winter can get to freezing. Summer
  days are hot and sunny.

3

• NATURAL RESOURCES
• Plants that do not need much rain can grow here.
  There are some short grasses, shrubs, and desert
  plants like cactus.
• ECONOMIC RESOURCES
• Ranching is the main way people make a living.
  Cattle, sheep, and goats are the main live stock.
• Farming is possible with irrigation, near El Paso
  and in the Pecos River Valley. Cotton, fruits,
  and vegetables are grown. Cantaloupes grown near
  the town of Pecos are known for their flavor.
• Only a few minerals are plentiful enough to be
  important to the economy. Part of the Permian
  Basin is in this region, around the Pecos River.
  Oil and natural gas are found there also.

4
Major Cities

• El Paso is the largest city in the Mountains and
  Basins Region. It is at the lowest pass in the
  mountain range that goes from the Rocky
  Mountains into Mexico.
• El Paso is a border city, this makes it an
  international trading center. It is also a
  center for manufacturing and for visitors.
• Pecos is the farming center.
• Kermit and Monahans are centers for oil
  production around the Permian Basin.
• Fort Stockton is a business center.
• Fort Davis grew as a settlement where two trails
  crossed.
• Alpine and Marfa are towns where many travelers
  usually stop on their way to Big Bend National
  Park.

5
Importance of the Mountains and Basins Region

• Big Bend National Park has a desert, mountain
  views, and wildlife. Many campers go to the
  park. Some like to visit old ghost towns, too.
• Many people visit El Paso so they can cross the
  international bridge and visit a city in another
  country.
• Fuels, crops, livestock, and manufactured goods
  come from here.