THE CENTRAL PLAINS REGION
The Central Plains region lies west of the Coastal Plains. This region is sometimes called the Interior Plains. The landscape of the Central Plains region is a mix of prairies and low rolling hills with some areas of rugged cliffs, peaks, and valleys. The Balcones (bal•COH•nays) Escarpment, formed by faulting and erosion, marks the southern boundary between the Central and Coastal Plains regions. It received the Spanish name Balcones because Spanish explorers thought it looked like balconies. This group of cliffs and hills stretches from the Rio Grande River to the Colorado River. Several important Texas cities are close to the dividing line between the Coastal Plains and the Central Plains regions. They include Dallas, Waco, and the state’s capital city of Austin. The higher elevations and drier climate of the Central Plains region support an economy that includes oil wells, cattle ranches, farms, and forests.
from Texas Regions, Splash Publications, c. 2009
The Central Plains region lies west of the Coastal Plains. This region is sometimes called the Interior Plains. The landscape of the Central Plains region is a mix of prairies and low rolling hills with some areas of rugged cliffs, peaks, and valleys. The Balcones (bal•COH•nays) Escarpment, formed by faulting and erosion, marks the southern boundary between the Central and Coastal Plains regions. It received the Spanish name Balcones because Spanish explorers thought it looked like balconies. This group of cliffs and hills stretches from the Rio Grande River to the Colorado River. Several important Texas cities are close to the dividing line between the Coastal Plains and the Central Plains regions. They include Dallas, Waco, and the state’s capital city of Austin. The higher elevations and drier climate of the Central Plains region support an economy that includes oil wells, cattle ranches, farms, and forests.
from Texas Regions, Splash Publications, c. 2009