Texas State Maps
These maps show Texas State Counties, Cities, Federal Areas, Physiographic, and Ecoregion's.

The 254 Counties of Texas and Their Name Origins
- Anderson County: Named after Kenneth Anderson, a veteran of the Texas Revolution.
- Andrews County: Named for Richard Andrews, the first Texan to die in the Texas Revolution.
- Angelina County: Named after a Native American woman who assisted early Spanish missionaries.
- Aransas County: Named after the Aransas River, which was named by Spanish explorers.
- Archer County: Named after Branch Tanner Archer, a Texas Commissioner to the United States.
- Armstrong County: Named after one of several Texas pioneer families.
- Atascosa County: Derived from the Spanish word "atascosa," meaning "boggy."
- Austin County: Named for Stephen F. Austin, known as the "Father of Texas."
- Bailey County: Named after Peter James Bailey, a defender of the Alamo.
- Bandera County: From the Spanish word "bandera," meaning "flag" or "banner."
- Bastrop County: Named after Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, a Dutch nobleman who assisted in the Anglo-American settlement of Texas.
- Baylor County: Named after Henry Weidner Baylor, a surgeon in the Texas Rangers during the Mexican-American War.
- Bee County: Named for Barnard E. Bee Sr., a secretary of state of the Republic of Texas.
- Bell County: Named for Peter Hansborough Bell, the third governor of Texas.
- Bexar County: Named for San Antonio de Béxar, a presidio established in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua.
- Blanco County: Named for the Blanco River, which means "white" in Spanish.
- Borden County: Named after Gail Borden Jr., a publisher, surveyor, and inventor of condensed milk.
- Bosque County: Derived from the Spanish word "bosque," meaning "forest."
- Bowie County: Named for James Bowie, a prominent figure in the Texas Revolution.
- Brazoria County: Named for the Brazos River, which means "arms" in Spanish.
- Brazos County: Also named for the Brazos River.
- Brewster County: Named after Henry Percy Brewster, a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas.
- Briscoe County: Named for Andrew Briscoe, a soldier during the Texas Revolution.
- Brooks County: Named after James Abijah Brooks, a Texas Ranger and legislator.
- Brown County: Named for Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Siege of Bexar in the Texas Revolution.
- Burleson County: Named for Edward Burleson, a general and vice president of the Republic of Texas.
- Burnet County: Named after David G. Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas.
- Caldwell County: Named after Mathew Caldwell, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Calhoun County: Named for John C. Calhoun, a U.S. senator from South Carolina and vice president of the United States.
- Callahan County: Named for James Hughes Callahan, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.
- Cameron County: Named after Ewen Cameron, a soldier during the Texas Revolution.
- Camp County: Named for John Lafayette Camp, a Texas politician.
- Carson County: Named for Samuel Price Carson, the first secretary of state for the Republic of Texas.
- Cass County: Named for Lewis Cass, a U.S. senator from Michigan and presidential candidate in 1848.
- Castro County: Named for Henri Castro, an empresario who settled French, German, and Swiss immigrants in Texas.
- Chambers County: Named after Thomas Jefferson Chambers, a prominent Texas lawyer and landowner.
- Cherokee County: Named for the Cherokee Native American tribe.
- Childress County: Named for George Campbell Childress, a principal author of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Clay County: Named after Henry Clay, a U.S. senator from Kentucky.
- Cochran County: Named for Robert E. Cochran, a defender who died at the Alamo.
- Coke County: Named after Richard Coke, a Texas governor and U.S. senator.
- Coleman County: Named for Robert M. Coleman, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Collin County: Named for Collin McKinney, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Collingsworth County: Named after James Collinsworth, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Colorado County: Named after the Colorado River of Texas, which means "colored red" in Spanish.
- Comal County: Derived from the Spanish word "comal," meaning a type of griddle used in cooking.
- Comanche County: Named for the Comanche Native American tribe.
- Concho County: Named for the Concho River, which is named after the Spanish word for "shell."
- Cooke County: Named for William Gordon Cooke, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.
- Coryell County: Named for James Coryell, a frontiersman and Texas Ranger.
- Cottle County: Named for George Washington Cottle, who died at the Battle of the Alamo.
- Crane County: Named after William Carey Crane, a Baptist minister and president of Baylor University.
- Crockett County: Named for Davy Crockett, a legendary frontiersman who died at the Alamo.
- Crosby County: Named after Stephen Crosby, a land commissioner of Texas.
- Culberson County: Named for David B. Culberson, a U.S. congressman from Texas.
- Dallam County: Named for James Wilmer Dallam, a lawyer and newspaper publisher.
- Dallas County: Named for George Mifflin Dallas, vice president of the United States under James K. Polk.
- Dawson County: Named for Nicholas Mosby Dawson, who died at the Dawson Massacre during the Texas Revolution.
- Deaf Smith County: Named for Erastus "Deaf" Smith, a scout during the Texas Revolution.
- Delta County: Named after its triangular, delta-like shape formed by the confluence of the Sulphur River and North Sulphur River.
- Denton County: Named for John B. Denton, a pioneer and Texas Ranger.
- DeWitt County: Named after Green DeWitt, an empresario who founded a colony in Texas.
- Dickens County: Named for J. Dickens, a soldier in the Battle of the Alamo.
- Dimmit County: Named for Philip Dimmitt, a Texas Revolutionary soldier (misspelled as Dimmit).
- Donley County: Named for Stockton P. Donley, a Texas Supreme Court associate justice.
- Duval County: Named for Burr H. Duval, a soldier who died in the Goliad Massacre during the Texas Revolution.
- Eastland County: Named for William Mosby Eastland, a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Texas Revolution.
- Ector County: Named for Mathew Ector, a Confederate general and judge.
- Edwards County: Named for Haden Edwards, an empresario and leader of the Fredonian Rebellion.
- El Paso County: Named after the city of El Paso, which in Spanish means "the pass."
- Ellis County: Named for Richard Ellis, president of the Texas Constitutional Convention of 1836.
- Erath County: Named for George Bernard Erath, a surveyor and soldier in the Texas Revolution.
- Falls County: Named for the falls of the Brazos River within the county.
- Fannin County: Named for James Walker Fannin, a soldier during the Texas Revolution who died in the Goliad Massacre.
- Fayette County: Named for the Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution.
- Fisher County: Named for Samuel Rhoads Fisher, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and secretary of the Texas Navy.
- Floyd County: Named after Dolphin Ward Floyd, a soldier who died in the Alamo.
- Foard County: Named for Robert Levi Foard, an attorney and soldier during the Civil War.
- Fort Bend County: Named for a fort at the "bend" of the Brazos River.
- Franklin County: Named for Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
- Freestone County: Named for the locally quarried freestone (a type of fine-grained limestone).
- Frio County: Named for the Frio River, meaning "cold" in Spanish.
- Gaines County: Named after James Gaines, a merchant who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Galveston County: Named for Bernardo de Gálvez, a Spanish colonial governor who supported the American Revolution.
- Garza County: Named for the Garza family, who were early settlers of South Texas.
- Gillespie County: Named for Robert Addison Gillespie, a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Mexican-American War.
- Glasscock County: Named for George Washington Glasscock, a merchant, surveyor, and legislator.
- Goliad County: Named for the Spanish presidio La Bahía del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga, which became the modern town of Goliad.
- Gonzales County: Named for the old municipality of Gonzales, established in 1825 and site of the first battle of the Texas Revolution.
- Gray County: Named for Peter W. Gray, a Confederate attorney general.
- Grayson County: Named for Peter Wagener Grayson, an attorney general of the Republic of Texas.
- Gregg County: Named for John Gregg, a Confederate general who died at the Siege of Petersburg.
- Grimes County: Named for Jesse Grimes, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Guadalupe County: Named for the Guadalupe River, which was named after the Virgin of Guadalupe.
- Hale County: Named for John C. Hale, who died in the Battle of San Jacinto.
- Hall County: Named for Warren D. C. Hall, a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas.
- Hamilton County: Named for James Hamilton Jr., a financier who helped the Republic of Texas.
- Hansford County: Named for John M. Hansford, a judge and Texas state legislator.
- Hardeman County: Named for Bailey Hardeman, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Hardin County: Named for the Hardin family, who were early settlers in Texas.
- Harris County: Named for John Richardson Harris, an early settler of the area and founder of Harrisburg, Texas.
- Harrison County: Named for Jonas Harrison, a lawyer and Texas revolutionary.
- Hartley County: Named for the brothers Oliver Cromwell Hartley and Rufus K. Hartley, two Texas legislators.
- Haskell County: Named for Charles Ready Haskell, who died at the Goliad Massacre.
- Hays County: Named for John Coffee Hays, a Texas Ranger and military officer.
- Hemphill County: Named for John Hemphill, an early Texas Supreme Court justice.
- Henderson County: Named for James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas.
- Hidalgo County: Named for Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a leader in the Mexican War of Independence.
- Hill County: Named for George Washington Hill, a secretary of war and the Navy under the Republic of Texas.
- Hockley County: Named for George Washington Hockley, chief of staff of the Texas Army during the Texas Revolution.
- Hood County: Named for John Bell Hood, a Confederate general during the American Civil War.
- Hopkins County: Named for the family of David Hopkins, an early settler in the area.
- Houston County: Named after Sam Houston, the first and third president of the Republic of Texas.
- Howard County: Named for Volney E. Howard, a U.S. congressman from Texas.
- Hudspeth County: Named for Claude Benton Hudspeth, a rancher and U.S. congressman from Texas.
- Hunt County: Named for Memucan Hunt, the secretary of the Navy under the Republic of Texas.
- Hutchinson County: Named for Andrew Hutchinson, an early attorney in Texas.
- Irion County: Named for Robert Anderson Irion, a secretary of state of the Republic of Texas.
- Jack County: Named for Patrick Churchill Jack and William Houston Jack, both Texas Revolution leaders.
- Jackson County: Named for Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States.
- Jasper County: Named for William Jasper, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
- Jeff Davis County: Named for Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America.
- Jefferson County: Named for Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States.
- Jim Hogg County: Named for James Stephen Hogg, the first native-born governor of Texas.
- Jim Wells County: Named for James B. Wells Jr., a prominent South Texas political boss.
- Johnson County: Named for Middleton Tate Johnson, an early Texas settler, soldier, and politician.
- Jones County: Named for Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas.
- Karnes County: Named for Henry Karnes, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.
- Kaufman County: Named for David Spangler Kaufman, a U.S. congressman and diplomat from Texas.
- Kendall County: Named for George Wilkins Kendall, a journalist and Mexican-American War correspondent.
- Kenedy County: Named for Mifflin Kenedy, a rancher and early Texas settler.
- Kent County: Named for Andrew Kent, a defender who died at the Alamo.
- Kerr County: Named for James Kerr, an early Texas settler and soldier in the Texas Revolution.
- Kimble County: Named for George C. Kimble, a defender who died at the Alamo.
- King County: Named for William Philip King, a soldier who died at the Battle of the Alamo.
- Kinney County: Named for Henry Lawrence Kinney, a Texas legislator and businessman.
- Kleberg County: Named for Robert J. Kleberg, a rancher and early Texas settler.
- Knox County: Named for Henry Knox, the first U.S. Secretary of War.
- Lamar County: Named for Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second president of the Republic of Texas.
- Lamb County: Named for George A. Lamb, a defender who died at the Alamo.
- Lampasas County: Named for the Lampasas River.
- La Salle County: Named for René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, a French explorer.
- Lavaca County: Named for the Lavaca River, which means "cow" in Spanish.
- Lee County: Named for Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general during the American Civil War.
- Leon County: Named for the León family, prominent early Spanish settlers.
- Liberty County: Named for the American ideal of liberty.
- Limestone County: Named for the local limestone rock formations.
- Lipscomb County: Named for Abner Smith Lipscomb, a secretary of state and justice in the Republic of Texas.
- Live Oak County: Named for the live oak trees abundant in the area.
- Llano County: Named for the Llano River, which means "plain" in Spanish.
- Loving County: Named for Oliver Loving, a cattle rancher and trailblazer.
- Lubbock County: Named for Thomas Saltus Lubbock, a Texas Ranger and Confederate colonel.
- Lynn County: Named for William Lynn, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.
- Madison County: Named for James Madison, the fourth president of the United States.
- Marion County: Named for Francis Marion, a military officer in the American Revolutionary War known as the "Swamp Fox."
- Martin County: Named for Wylie Martin, an early settler and soldier in the Texas Revolution.
- Mason County: Named for Fort Mason, which in turn was named after George T. Mason, a U.S. Army lieutenant killed in the Mexican-American War.
- Matagorda County: Named for the Spanish word "matagorda," meaning "thick brush" or "thicket-covered plain."
- Maverick County: Named for Samuel Maverick, a Texas rancher and politician.
- McCulloch County: Named for Benjamin McCulloch, a Texas Ranger and Confederate general.
- McLennan County: Named for Neil McLennan, one of the first settlers in the area.
- Medina County: Named for the Medina River.
- Menard County: Named for Michel Branamour Menard, the founder of Galveston, Texas.
- Midland County: Named for its location at the midpoint of the Texas and Pacific Railway between Fort Worth and El Paso.
- Milam County: Named for Benjamin Rush Milam, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.
- Mills County: Named for John T. Mills, a district judge in the Republic of Texas.
- Mitchell County: Named for Asa and Eli Mitchell, early settlers and soldiers in the Texas Revolution.
- Montague County: Named for Daniel Montague, a surveyor and state legislator.
- Montgomery County: Named for Montgomery, Texas, which may have been named after either Montgomery, Alabama, or a pioneer family named Montgomery.
- Moore County: Named for Edwin Ward Moore, the commander of the Texas Navy during the Republic of Texas era.
- Morris County: Named for William Wright Morris, a Texas legislator.
- Motley County: Named for Junius William Mottley, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence (the county’s name was misspelled).
- Nacogdoches County: Named for the Nacogdoche Native American tribe.
- Navarro County: Named for José Antonio Navarro, a Texas legislator and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Newton County: Named for John Newton, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War.
- Nolan County: Named for Philip Nolan, an early mustanger and explorer.
- Nueces County: Named for the Nueces River, which means "nuts" in Spanish, in reference to the pecan trees along its banks.
- Ochiltree County: Named for William Beck Ochiltree, a Confederate judge and Texas state legislator.
- Oldham County: Named for Williamson Simpson Oldham, a Confederate senator from Texas.
- Orange County: Named for the orange fruit, which was once grown in the area.
- Palo Pinto County: Derived from the Spanish words "palo pinto," meaning "painted stick" or "spotted wood."
- Panola County: Derived from a Native American word meaning "cotton."
- Parker County: Named for Isaac Parker, a Texas legislator and pioneer.
- Parmer County: Named for Martin Parmer, a Texas Revolution leader and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Pecos County: Named for the Pecos River.
- Polk County: Named for James K. Polk, the 11th president of the United States.
- Potter County: Named for Robert Potter, a secretary of the Texas Navy and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Presidio County: Named after the early Spanish presidio (fort) near the town of Presidio.
- Rains County: Named for Emory Rains, a Texas legislator and pioneer.
- Randall County: Named for Horace Randal (the county's name is misspelled), a Confederate brigadier general killed during the American Civil War.
- Reagan County: Named for John Henninger Reagan, a Confederate postmaster general and U.S. senator from Texas.
- Real County: Named for Julius Real, a Texas legislator.
- Red River County: Named for the Red River, which forms the border between Texas and Oklahoma.
- Reeves County: Named for George R. Reeves, a Texas legislator and colonel in the Confederate Army.
- Refugio County: Named after the Spanish mission Nuestra Señora del Refugio.
- Roberts County: Named for John S. Roberts, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Robertson County: Named for Sterling C. Robertson, an empresario and early settler in Texas.
- Rockwall County: Named for a wall-like underground rock formation that runs through the county.
- Runnels County: Named for Hiram G. Runnels, a former governor of Mississippi and Texas state legislator.
- Rusk County: Named for Thomas Jefferson Rusk, a general in the Texas Revolution and U.S. senator from Texas.
- Sabine County: Named for the Sabine River, which forms the Texas-Louisiana border.
- San Augustine County: Named for the city of Saint Augustine, Florida, or Saint Augustine of Hippo.
- San Jacinto County: Named for the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution.
- San Patricio County: Named for Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, as many of the early settlers were Irish immigrants.
- San Saba County: Named for the San Saba River, which was named after a Spanish mission called "San Sabá de la Santa Cruz."
- Schleicher County: Named for Gustav Schleicher, a German immigrant and U.S. congressman from Texas.
- Scurry County: Named for William Read Scurry, a Confederate general during the American Civil War.
- Shackelford County: Named for Jack Shackelford, a soldier and physician who survived the Goliad Massacre during the Texas Revolution.
- Shelby County: Named for Isaac Shelby, a soldier in the American Revolutionary War and the first governor of Kentucky.
- Sherman County: Named for Sidney Sherman, a general in the Texas Revolution.
- Smith County: Named for James Smith, a general during the Texas Revolution.
- Somervell County: Named for Alexander Somervell, a Texas general and secretary of war for the Republic of Texas.
- Starr County: Named for James Harper Starr, a treasurer and secretary of the Republic of Texas.
- Stephens County: Named for Alexander H. Stephens, vice president of the Confederate States of America.
- Sterling County: Named for W.S. Sterling, an early settler and cattle rancher in Texas.
- Stonewall County: Named for Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, a Confederate general during the American Civil War.
- Sutton County: Named for John S. Sutton, a Texas Ranger killed in action.
- Swisher County: Named for James Gibson Swisher, a soldier during the Texas Revolution and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Tarrant County: Named for Edward H. Tarrant, a general in the Texas militia who fought against Native American tribes.
- Taylor County: Named for Edward Taylor, George Taylor, and James Taylor, three brothers killed at the Alamo.
- Terrell County: Named for Alexander W. Terrell, a Texas state legislator and Confederate officer.
- Terry County: Named for Benjamin Franklin Terry, a colonel who organized Terry's Texas Rangers during the American Civil War.
- Throckmorton County: Named for William E. Throckmorton, an early Texas settler and Texas Supreme Court justice.
- Titus County: Named for Andrew Jackson Titus, an early Texas settler and legislator.
- Tom Green County: Named for Thomas Green, a Confederate general who died during the American Civil War.
- Travis County: Named for William Barret Travis, commander of the Texan forces at the Battle of the Alamo.
- Trinity County: Named for the Trinity River.
- Tyler County: Named for John Tyler, the tenth president of the United States.
- Upshur County: Named for Abel P. Upshur, U.S. secretary of state who supported Texas' annexation.
- Upton County: Named for brothers John and William Upton, soldiers in the Confederate Army.
- Uvalde County: Named for Juan de Ugalde, a Spanish general who fought Native American tribes in Texas.
- Val Verde County: Named for the Battle of Val Verde, fought during the American Civil War in New Mexico.
- Van Zandt County: Named for Isaac Van Zandt, a Republic of Texas politician and diplomat.
- Victoria County: Named for Guadalupe Victoria, the first president of Mexico.
- Walker County: Named for Robert J. Walker, a U.S. senator from Mississippi.
- Waller County: Named for Edwin Waller, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first mayor of Austin.
- Ward County: Named for Thomas W. Ward, a commissioner of the General Land Office of Texas.
- Washington County: Named for George Washington, the first president of the United States.
- Webb County: Named for James Webb, a secretary of the treasury and state for the Republic of Texas.
- Wharton County: Named for brothers William H. Wharton and John A. Wharton, both of whom played key roles in the Texas Revolution.
- Wheeler County: Named for Royal T. Wheeler, a chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court.
- Wichita County: Named for the Wichita Native American tribe.
- Wilbarger County: Named for brothers Josiah and Mathias Wilbarger, early Texas settlers and surveyors.
- Willacy County: Named for John G. Willacy, a state senator from South Texas.
- Williamson County: Named for Robert McAlpin Williamson, a judge and veteran of the Texas Revolution.
- Wilson County: Named for James Charles Wilson, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Winkler County: Named for Clinton M. Winkler, a Confederate colonel and Texas legislator.
- Wise County: Named for Henry Alexander Wise, a U.S. congressman and governor of Virginia.
- Wood County: Named for George Tyler Wood, the second governor of Texas.
- Yoakum County: Named for Henderson King Yoakum, a Texas historian and early settler.
- Young County: Named for William Cocke Young, an early Texas settler and soldier.
- Zapata County: Named for Antonio Zapata, a rancher and revolutionary who supported Texas' independence from Mexico.
- Zavala County: Named for Lorenzo de Zavala, the first vice president of the Republic of Texas.

Texas State County Sizes Map
Smallest County in Texas State
Rockwall County: 147 sq miles
Largest County in Texas State
Brewster County: 6,203 sq miles
Mean and Median Area of Counties in Texas State
Mean Area: 1006.4 sq miles
Median Area: 905.2 sq miles

Major Cities of Texas State and Their Locations
In Texas State, most major cities are strategically located near coastal ports, river ports, or along historic transportation routes. Below are examples of each type:
1. Coastal Ports
Houston: The largest city in Texas, Houston is located near the Gulf of Mexico, a major coastal port that has historically facilitated trade and shipping.
Corpus Christi: Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi is a key port city known for its shipyards, fishing industry, and tourism. The Port of Corpus Christi is one of the largest in the U.S., handling significant energy exports.
Galveston: A historic coastal city, Galveston was once the largest port in Texas. Today, it remains important for tourism, shipping, and its deep-water port facilities, as well as its role in the cruise industry.
2. River Ports
San Antonio: Located along the San Antonio River, this historic city is known for its central role in Texas' cultural heritage, including the Alamo and the famous River Walk.
Beaumont: Situated along the Neches River, Beaumont has long been a center for the petroleum and shipping industries. It plays a significant role in oil refining and petrochemical production.
3. Historic Paths or Routes
Dallas: Located at a crossroads of major highways and transportation routes, Dallas has grown into a major economic hub, known for its finance, tech, and commercial industries.
Austin: The capital city of Texas, Austin lies at the intersection of several historic trails and has grown into a major cultural and tech hub. Known for its music festivals and innovation sector, it is also home to many government institutions.
Fort Worth: Originally established as an Army outpost, Fort Worth became a major cattle trading center and now shares a large metropolitan area with Dallas. Its economy is driven by manufacturing, aerospace, and defense industries.
El Paso: Located along the Rio Grande and historic trade routes, El Paso serves as a key point of commerce and trade between the U.S. and Mexico, with a strong military presence and a growing manufacturing sector.
Amarillo: Situated along historic cattle trails and railroads, Amarillo became an important center for ranching, agriculture, and transportation. Today, it plays a significant role in energy, particularly in wind energy development.
Laredo: Positioned on the border with Mexico along the Rio Grande, Laredo is one of the most important inland ports in the United States, with extensive cross-border trade and logistics operations.
Topographic Tour of Texas

Texas State offers a diverse range of terrains, shaped by its unique geology, climate, and natural features. From the wide open plains to the rugged hill country, and from deserts to coastal regions, the state presents a rich tapestry of landforms.
1. Coastal Lowlands
The eastern edge of Texas features low-lying coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico. This region includes tidal flats, estuaries, and wetlands. The region is known for its moderate climate and rich soils that support agriculture and oil production.
2. Hill Country
Central Texas is known for the Hill Country, a rugged area with limestone hills, streams, and springs. It is a popular destination for outdoor activities and has a distinct landscape compared to the surrounding plains.
3. Great Plains
The northern region of Texas, known as the Panhandle, is part of the Great Plains. This area is known for its flat, arid landscape, which supports agriculture and wind energy production.
4. Edwards Plateau
Situated in central and west-central Texas, the Edwards Plateau is a region of flat terrain marked by canyons, caves, and limestone formations. This area supports cattle ranching, wildlife habitats, and vineyards due to its dry climate and rugged topography.
5. Piney Woods
The Piney Woods, located in the eastern part of Texas, is a forested region characterized by its dense pine and hardwood forests. This region is home to numerous lakes, rivers, and wetlands, and it supports a thriving timber and forestry industry.
6. Chihuahuan Desert
Stretching across far West Texas, the Chihuahuan Desert is characterized by arid conditions, mountain ranges, and desert vegetation such as yucca and cactus. This area includes Big Bend National Park, which is known for its rugged terrain, deep canyons, and dramatic landscapes.
7. Llano Estacado
The Llano Estacado, also known as the Staked Plains, is a high mesa located in the northwestern part of Texas. It is known for its flat, semi-arid landscape that supports cattle ranching, oil production, and agriculture. This area is part of the Southern Great Plains.
8. Trans-Pecos Region
The Trans-Pecos is a mountainous and desert region located in far West Texas, bordered by the Rio Grande. This region is home to the Davis Mountains, the Guadalupe Mountains, and Big Bend National Park, featuring some of the most rugged and remote landscapes in the state.
9. Balcones Escarpment
This geological fault line runs through Central Texas, separating the coastal plains from the Hill Country and Edwards Plateau. The escarpment features steep cliffs, rolling hills, and numerous springs, rivers, and caves. Cities such as Austin and San Antonio are located near this escarpment.
10. South Texas Plains
Stretching from San Antonio to the Mexican border, this region is characterized by flat terrain, brushlands, and the Rio Grande. The area supports cattle ranching and oil production, and it has a semi-arid climate that transitions into the Chihuahuan Desert.

Physiographic Regions of Texas State
Basin and Range, Mexican Highland
This region in western Texas is characterized by its rugged mountain ranges and arid climate. Known for its desert landscapes and sharp peaks, the area includes parts of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Basin and Range, Sacramento
The Sacramento section of the Basin and Range extends into the far western part of Texas, near the border with New Mexico. It features rugged, isolated mountain ranges and broad valleys, with an arid climate that supports desert vegetation.
Great Plains, Edwards Plateau
The Edwards Plateau is a limestone region located in central Texas, known for its rugged terrain, springs, and canyons. It is part of the Great Plains physiographic region and supports cattle ranching and agriculture, along with numerous vineyards.
Great Plains, Central Texas
Central Texas falls within the southern extension of the Great Plains. This area features rolling hills, fertile soils, and grasslands that support agriculture, particularly cattle ranching and farming. The region also includes the Balcones Escarpment, which divides the plains from the Hill Country.
Great Plains, High Plains
Also known as the Llano Estacado, the High Plains stretch across the Panhandle of Texas. This region is characterized by a flat, semi-arid landscape that supports cattle ranching, agriculture, and oil production. It is part of the southern Great Plains.
Great Plains, Pecos Valley
Located in far West Texas, the Pecos Valley is a lowland area adjacent to the Pecos River. It features flat desert plains and supports agriculture through irrigation from the river. This area is arid and forms part of the larger Chihuahuan Desert.
Great Plains, Plains Border
The Plains Border region is a transitional area between the Central Lowland and the Great Plains. It includes rolling hills, mesas, and dissected plateaus, providing a mix of grasslands and agricultural lands.
Coastal Plain, West Gulf Coastal Plain
The West Gulf Coastal Plain extends along the Gulf Coast of Texas, featuring low-lying flatlands, wetlands, and marshes. This area supports agriculture, oil production, and important ecological habitats for wildlife. It includes major cities like Houston and Corpus Christi.
Central Lowland, Osage Plains
The Osage Plains, part of the Central Lowland, extend into North Texas. This area features rolling plains, fertile soils, and is known for its agricultural output, particularly grain and cattle farming. The region transitions into the Great Plains to the west.

Notable Federal Lands: Some of the Largest and Most Fascinating Destinations in Texas
1. Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Texas, encompassing dramatic desert landscapes, mountains, and the Rio Grande River. It is popular for hiking, camping, and stargazing.
2. Davy Crockett National Forest
Located in East Texas, Davy Crockett National Forest spans over 160,000 acres of pine and hardwood forests. It is named after the legendary frontiersman and offers opportunities for hiking, hunting, and camping, with the Big Slough Wilderness as a prominent feature.
3. Sabine National Forest
Sabine National Forest, located along the Texas-Louisiana border, covers 160,000 acres. It features the Toledo Bend Reservoir and is known for its fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, particularly for birdwatchers.
4. Angelina National Forest
Angelina National Forest is home to the Sam Rayburn Reservoir, one of Texas' largest lakes. Covering 153,000 acres, it offers excellent opportunities for fishing, camping, and hiking. The area also contains the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker habitat.
5. Indian Mounds Wilderness
Located within the Sabine National Forest, the Indian Mounds Wilderness is a 12,369-acre area that offers a more primitive and secluded experience. It is ideal for backcountry hiking and camping, with no developed trails or facilities.
6. Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore stretches along 70 miles of coastline, protecting the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. It offers beach camping, birdwatching, fishing, and is a nesting ground for endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles.
7. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Texas Gulf Coast, is a critical habitat for the endangered whooping crane. The refuge also supports diverse wildlife, including alligators and migratory birds, making it a popular spot for birdwatching and nature photography.
8. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, located on the shores of Lake Texoma in North Texas, provides habitat for migratory waterfowl, songbirds, and other wildlife. The refuge is popular for birdwatching, hiking, and fishing.
9. Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland
Located in North Texas, the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland covers nearly 20,000 acres. The area offers opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, and camping. It is known for its diverse plant life and grassland ecosystems.
10. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to the highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, at 8,749 feet. This rugged, mountainous area is popular for hiking and backcountry camping, offering scenic vistas and diverse ecosystems.
11. Amistad National Recreation Area
Located along the U.S.-Mexico border, Amistad National Recreation Area centers around the Amistad Reservoir. It is known for water-based activities like boating, fishing, and scuba diving, as well as ancient Native American rock art sites.
12. Caddo National Grassland
Caddo National Grassland, located in North Texas, covers nearly 18,000 acres and includes the scenic Lake Crockett and Lake Coffee. The area is popular for camping, fishing, and wildlife observation, particularly for birdwatchers.
13. Big Slough Wilderness
Big Slough Wilderness is a 3,455-acre protected area within Davy Crockett National Forest. It offers primitive wilderness experiences, including hiking and wildlife observation, without developed trails or campsites.
14. Sam Houston National Forest
Located north of Houston, Sam Houston National Forest spans over 163,000 acres of pine and hardwood forests. It is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and camping, with several lakes and the Lone Star Hiking Trail passing through the forest.
15. Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve is an ecologically diverse area in East Texas, known for its rich biodiversity and dense forests. Visitors can explore the area's hiking trails, waterways, and unique ecosystems, which include pine forests, swamps, and prairies.
16. San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, located along the Texas Gulf Coast, protects wetlands, prairies, and forests. It is an important habitat for migratory birds and is popular for birdwatching and wildlife observation.
17. Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, also located on the Gulf Coast, provides a crucial habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. It features freshwater and saltwater marshes, as well as prairies, and is popular for wildlife viewing and fishing.

Ecoregions of Texas
Cross Timbers and Prairie Section
This ecoregion covers part of northern Texas and is characterized by its mix of forests and prairies, with oak woodlands being the dominant vegetation type.
Stockton Plateau Section
This region lies west of the Edwards Plateau and features a rugged landscape with limestone outcrops, canyons, and springs. Vegetation includes juniper-oak woodlands and grasslands.
Basin and Range Section
The Basin and Range section is located in far western Texas. It consists of desert valleys separated by isolated mountain ranges. Vegetation is sparse and adapted to arid conditions, with species such as creosote bush, yucca, and ocotillo.
Sacramento-Monzano Mountain Section
This section includes part of the Trans-Pecos region, extending into New Mexico. It features mountain ranges and valleys, with pine-oak forests and grasslands at higher elevations and desert scrub at lower elevations.
Mid Coastal Plains, Western Section
This section covers the western part of Texas's coastal plains and is characterized by prairies, oak savannas, and wetlands. It supports diverse wildlife, including migratory birds and coastal species.
Louisiana Coast Prairies and Marshes Section
Located along the eastern coast of Texas, this section features extensive marshlands, coastal prairies, and estuaries. It is important for waterfowl and marine life and is vulnerable to coastal erosion and storm surge.
Old Woods and Prairies Section
This region, situated in central and northeastern Texas, is characterized by a mix of wooded areas and prairies. Dominant vegetation includes hardwood forests and native grasses. It has a humid climate and fertile soils.
Rio Grande Plain Section
The Rio Grande Plain, in southern Texas, is a flat to gently rolling region that supports thorny shrublands, mesquite, and grasses. It is an important agricultural area, with irrigated crops along the Rio Grande.
Southern Gulf Prairies and Marshes Section
This section lies along the Gulf Coast and includes coastal wetlands, salt marshes, and prairies. It supports diverse wildlife, including waterfowl and fish, and plays a key role in the region's fisheries and tourism.
Rolling Plains Section
The Rolling Plains section covers north-central Texas and features gently rolling hills, grasslands, and scattered woodlands. This area is used primarily for agriculture, including cotton, wheat, and livestock production.