Texas Regions Travel Blog - Advika Brijesh

Texas Regions

Mountains + Basins

Native Americans

Great Plains

Coastal Plains

Central Plains

Welcome!

Hello, my name is Advika Brijesh! In this travel blog, we will be traveling across Texas and making a stop in each of the 4 regions, the Gulf Coastal Plains, Central Plains, Great Plains, and the Mountains and Basins. I will be covering the weather, landforms, and attractions in one city in each region. We will also look into the Native Americans in each region and their culture and style of living. Lastly, we will talk about the European explorers who traveled throughout Texas and their discoveries.

Coastal Plains

Mountains + Basins

Native Americans

Great Plains

Coastal Plains

Central Plains

Houston, Texas Coastal Plains

Today is May 1st and we have arrived in Houston, Texas. Let's take a look at the climate, physical features, attractions, and more in Houston Texas! Click the +info button to explore.

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Coastal Plains

Mountains + Basins

Native Americans

Great Plains

Coastal Plains

Central Plains

Houston Attractions

Houston has many attractions for every individual. For science lovers, the Space Center Houston is a captivating journey through space exploration history. Art enthusiasts can explore the Museum of Fine Arts. When traveling with family, the Houston Zoo and Downtown Aquarium are always a blast. For the sports fans, Houston hosts the iconic NRG stadium, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans.

Explorers

Native Americans

Central Plains

Mountains + Basins

Native Americans

Great Plains

Coastal Plains

Central Plains

Attractions

Climate

Physical Features

Fort Worth is full of attractions. Click +info to learn more about the attractions you can find in the Central Plains!

Today is May 3rd and we have arrived in Fort Worth, Texas! During spring in Fort Worth, the weather is naturally delightful. Click +info to learn more!

Exploring Fort Worth is quite the adventure. Click +info to learn more about the physical features of the Central Plains!

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Explorers

Native Americans

Great Plains

Mountains + Basins

Native Americans

Great Plains

Coastal Plains

Central Plains

Great Plains

Today is May 5th and we have arrived in the Great Plains region of Texas also known as the “Panhandle”. The city we are visiting today is Lubbock, Texas. We will be looking through the climate, physical features, and attractions! Click +info to learn more!

Native Americans

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Explorers

Mountains + Basins

Mountain s + Basins

Native Americans

Great Plains

Coastal Plains

Central Plains

Attractions

Climate

Physcial Features

El Paso has a distinctive blend of physical features that define its unique landscape. Click +info to learn more!

El Paso, Texas offers a range of attractions that reflect its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Click +info to learn more!

Today is May 7th and we have arrived in El Paso, Texas! El Paso, TX is in the Mountains and Basins region of Texas.

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Native Americans

Explorers

Native American Comparison

Wichitas

Karankawas

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Nomadic Lifestyle: The Karankawas were nomadic, which means they didn’t have permanent shelter and often roamed around the coastal areas of Texas. They would follow the fish, resources, and wildlife. Temporary Shelters: Due to their nomadic lifestyle, the Karankawa relied on temporary shelters. These would be made from animal hides and other available materials. The shelters had to be easily destroyed and built as the tribe moved from place to place. Resources: The Karankawas were skilled fishermen and hunters. As the coastal ecosystem fluctuated the Karankawas had to eat whatever they could find. Some of the common foods they ate were seafood such as fish, shellfish, clams, and oysters. Social Structure: The Karankawa had a simple social structure. They were organized into small family groups. They were known by other tribes for their adaptability and mobility both very important survival skills.

Sedentary Lifestyle: The Wichita Tribe lived a sedentary lifestyle. They established permanent villages and homes in the Central regions of Texas. They also had living areas set up in Kansas and Oklahoma. Permanent Homes: Wichita built permanent houses compared to Karankawa. They made lodges made of wood, grass, and earth. These lodges were built to last several years and be strong and sturdy. Resources: Unlike the Karankawa, the Wichita tribe focused on agriculture. They grew crops such as maize, beans, and squash. All of these crops are filling and able to be kept until the cold, winter months. Social Structure: The Wichita had a more complex social structure. They organized into villages with leaders and lower groups. Their sedentary lifestyle and resources enabled them to develop into a strong and powerful social organization.

Climate

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The average temperature during Spring in El Paso is mid 70s Fahrenheit. Abundant sunshine is available throughout the whole region making outdoor adventures and exploration common for visitors. Rainfall is relatively low, but light showers may occur. The wind in El Paso does act up often so a light jacket for evenings is advisable.

Pineda

Pineda was a Spanish explorer who wanted to find a northern waterway to the Pacific. His motivation out of the three G’s was Glory. He wanted to find something important and have power or land. In the end, Pineda was the first Spanish Explorer to map the Texas coastline. He also was the explorer that found the Rio Grande River. Without Pineda, it would take hundreds of years for a map to be created about the Texas coast. Explorers also wouldn’t know about the Rio Grande River which is a very important landform of Texas.

Coronado

Coronado was a Spanish explorer who led hundreds of soldiers to capture cities. After hearing about a city named Quivira, Coronado traveled across the Great Plains in search of this town of gold. Coronado also explored the Zuni houses which were told to be filled with riches. In the end, Coronado didn’t find any gold and left with a failed mission. The end of Coronado’s mission signaled a slowdown in the exploration of Texas. Without Coronado, there wouldn’t be the confirmation of no gold in Quivira or in the Zuni community, and more explorers would come and ruin so many precious landforms and civilizations.

Fort Worth Features

Fort Worth, Texas has a vibrant downtown area with multiple skyscrapers and historic buildings. There are some rivers that flow through the city. The topography of Fort Worth features rolling hills and suburban and urban neighborhoods, making Fort Worth a city with a diverse landscape for residents and visitors alike.

Lubbock, Texas

Climate

The weather in Lubbock is definitely less humid than in Fort Worth and Houston since it is not that close to the Gulf of Mexico. Spring in Lubbock is the wettest season with occasional thunderstorms and rain so be careful as you explore the city’s landscapes and greenery. The average temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit with light winds here and there.

Physical Features

Lubbock, Texas is located in the Great Plains often called the “Sea of Grass” which can be reflected in Lubbock’s landscape. Lubbock is predominantly flat terrain. To the east, you can find the Caprock Escarpment with breathtaking views and outdoor adventures. Lubbock is characterized by its wide streets and abundant open spaces. Lubbock is home to agriculture and urban development. All around, Lubbock continues to grow and change as time goes on.

Attractions

Lubbock, Texas boasts a diverse array of attractions for tourists. Music lovers should definitely check out the Buddy Holly Center. The history of Lubbock lies in the National Ranching Heritage Center and the Silent Wings Museum. You can also check out the Cactus Theater for wonderful productions, movies, and plays. The Joyland Amusement Park is a great choice for kids to explore. Lubbock always has something to offer for history, arts, and the outdoors.

Attractions

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A common visit by tourists is the historic Mission trail which takes visitors on a journey through Spanish colonial missions aging centuries old. Downtown El Paso is filled with entertainment from the El Paso Museum of Art to the Plaza Theatre. The Wyler Aerial Tramway is a great option if you want to view the panoramic landscape. The attractions of El Paso are a great way to explore history, art, and love.

The Wichita tribe inhabited the Central Plains of Texas. Unlike the Comanches and Karankawas, the Wichita tribe was a sedentary tribe. They were known to be skilled traders and farmers. They lived in straw huts which were more permanent since they were made of straw and mud which kept the huts sealed. They ate fruits, nuts, and squash that they would grow and deer and buffalo that they would hunt. Living in the Central Plains affected the Wichitas through their housing, encounters, and trade. The Wichitas were one of the first Plain tribes to encounter Europeans. The Europeans gave them horses, goods, and diseases leading the Wichitas to a new life. The Central Plains gave a more sedentary living style leading the Wichita people to live in grass or permanent houses. The Central Plains are in the middle of Texas making it a common ground for trading. The Wichita established trading with many neighboring tribes like the Caddo and Plains tribes. They exchanged items like pottery, textiles, and food.

Wichita Tribe

The Karankawa tribe was located along the Gulf Coast of Mexico specifically, the Galveston Bay area and the barrier islands. The Karankawas relied heavily on fishing for their food. The main food that the Karankawas ate was shellfish, fish, turtles, and plants. The Karankawas were a nomadic tribe. They often moved along the coast to follow the food. They lived in houses called wigwams which were made of bark and trees. The Karankawas adjusted to the land by building portable homes and using whatever they had in different ways. For example, the Karankawa tribe used shark grease as a mosquito repellant as there were tons of insects around the shore. The place the Karankawas lived in heavily affected how they lived because of their food, shelter, trade, and culture. Trade in the Coastal region was common through ships and other tribes. Their culture was significant because they had multiple ceremonies related to the sea.

Karankawa Tribe

Fray Marcos

Fray Marcos was a Spanish explorer who was also in search of gold after Cabeze de Vaca reported signs of gold in the northern mountains of Texas. Marcos traveled through the Mountains + Basins region of Texas and saw cities sparkling like gold in the sun. He decided to name these cities the Seven Cities of Gold or Cibola. Without Fray Marcos, the northwest area of Texas would be unexplored. Marcos started a journey of gold expeditions throughout Texas.

Fort Worth Climate

Temperatures range from the mid 50s to the mid 70s Fahrenheit. Spring brings beautiful sunsets and lower humidity compared to the blazing hot summer months. As always, thunderstorms can occur so being prepared as you travel and explore Fort Worth is a good idea.

Fort Worth Attractions

Fort Worth has multiple attractions that dive into the rich history of Texas. The Fort Worth Stockyards offer a glimpse into the city’s cowboy past with cattle drivers, shops, and rodeos. There are multiple art museums such as the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Zoo is always a family favorite with exciting exhibits and animals. The Botanic Garden in Fort Worth is a wonderful place to escape with its terrific landscapes, flowers, and greenery. With its cultural, historical, and natural attractions, Fort Worth has something for every traveler out there.

The Comanche were an important Native American group in the Great Plains. The Comanches are also a nomadic tribe. They lived in tipis. Tipis are triangular tents made of skin, cloth, and poles. They are often used by nomadic tribes because of the cool atmosphere it provides on hot, summer days. Comanches were commonly known for hunting buffalo. The Comanche people were very good at riding horses. Horses were their main form of transportation and hunting. Living in the Great Plains heavily affected the Comanche people by changing their lifestyle, food, and environmental challenges. The Great Plains often faced periods of drought making water a scarce resource. The Comanches learned to fight other tribes so they could access the water easily. They mainly ate and wore buffalo since there was an abundant amount in the Great Plains.

Comanche Tribe

De Soto

De Soto was a Spanish explorer who traveled across Texas and Florida. De Soto was trying to find gold in the eastern part of the USA. Unfortunately, a fever rush came over him and he died in 1542. Soto also discovered Florida and explored the land and water around it. In the end, De Soto didn’t find gold, but he did gain glory since he was the first European to discover the Mississippi River. Without De Soto, we wouldn’t know what the Mississippi River was or known what Florida was. While De Soto didn’t achieve his original purpose, he achieved something much greater and powerful, glory.

Physical Features

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Nested in between the Franklin Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert the city of El Paso has a striking contrast of urban development and natural beauty. The Franklin Mountains with their rocky peaks are a wonderful sight to visit. The Rio Grande River runs along the south of Texas separating it from Mexico. This natural boundary adds scenic beauty to the area. El Paso’s terrain is majorly made up of arid desert, yet it thrives with its history, culture, and city life.

As I traveled through Houston I realized that Houston has a very diverse landscape with a mix of both urban and natural beauty. Houston is mostly flat land with multiple famous bayous, a marshy outlet of river or lake. One of the bayous I visited was the Buffalo Bayou in the middle of the city. The Houston skyline is definitely something to check out at night. There are many skyscrapers including the iconic JP Morgan Chase Tower. The city also has multiple parks and nature areas. Some of the parks I visited were the Memorial Park and the Hermann Park. Houston is a wonderful metropolitan area that is filled with various different physical features.

Climate

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It’s currently spring which means Houston will have mild and pleasant weather. The temperatures typically range from the low 60s to the mid 70s Fahrenheit. This weather makes spring the perfect season to explore all of Houston’s outdoor attractions, which we will discuss later. After asking some shop owners, I can conclude that occasional rain showers are common, but they pass by quickly leaving behind greenery and a refreshing atmosphere. Houston’s close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico is what causes this spectacular subtropical climate.

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Physical Features

The Jumano tribe is a Native American group that lived in the Mountains + Basins area of Texas. The Jumano were skilled farmers and hunters. They grew maize, beans, and squash. The Jumanos were a nomadic tribe that built permanent houses. They are known for being friendly to conquistadors and letting them establish missions in their areas. The Jumanos lived in adobe houses which are made of mud, clay, and straw. These houses are very strong and sturdy in the hot climate.Their houses were often big since they fit multiple families. Adobe houses After some time, the Jumanos slowly died down and merged with other indigenous groups. The Jumanos were heavily affected by living in the Mountains + Basins region of Texas through their semi-nomadic lifestyle, resources, and religions. Living in the Mountains + Basins region left the Jumanos to often move to search for resources. They moved depending on the season for resources like water, plants, and animals. The arid and dry climate offered limited farming opportunities. The Jumanos relied heavily on hunting and trading for their food which contained of animals like deer and bison. The Jumanos were introduced to Spanish explorers early on which led Christianity to grow in their tribe as an important religion.

Jumano Tribe