Is Texas In The Midwest (Official Regions)

Texas is in the South Central area of the United States of America. It is the 2^nd largest state by population and area of land. As Davy Crockett, who died defending the Alamo, quoted, “You can all go to hell, and I will go to Texas!” But some think Texas is in the Midwest.

Texas is not in the Midwest but lies in the south-central region of the USA. It is bordered by Louisiana in the east, to the northeast lies Arkansas, Oklahoma in the north, New Mexico to the West, and the south and southwest Mexico. Texas shares a southeast coastline with the Gulf of Mexico.

Where Is Texas Situated In The USA?

A lot of misconception lies around the actual location of Texas in the USA. But, according to the United States Census Bureau, Texas is a state in the West South-Central States of America.

This area is also unofficially known as the South-Central States. Other states that share this location with Texas are:

• Louisiana in the east
• Arkansas lies to the northeast of Texas
• Oklahoma is to the north
• New Mexico lies to the west of Mexico
• The country of Mexico is located to the south and southwest of Texas

What Is Considered The Midwest In The U.S.?

As stated by the Federal Government, the Midwest is divided into two sections, the Northwest Territory and the Great Plains. The area lies halfway between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains and to the northern side of the Ohio River.

The following states, which do not include Texas, are situated in this region:

• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• South Dakota
• Wisconsin

A Quick History Of Texas

Texas was first a colony of Spain, and in 1690 many missions were set up in the area. Texas was not a popular region because it was far from other Spanish colonies. Only a small number of settlers made this area their home. Texas became part of Mexico during the Mexican War of Independence in 1821.

The years after 1821 saw many immigrants from Europe, the United States, and other areas of Mexico settling in Texas. The population was growing rapidly, and by 1834 37,800 people were living in the area, of which only 7,800 were Mexican. But the years followed were not peaceful as there were revolts against Mexican rule, and many Texians sided with the federalists.

A Convention was held in 1832, and it was here that the Texians first requested an independent statehood. They again asked the same at the convention held the following year. But fighting and discord continued in Texas. In 1835 the Texas Revolution was launched by rebellions of Texians, and the Mexican troops in the region were defeated.

However, the Mexican president led his army to defeat the Texian defenders at the Battle of the Alamo. But at the Convention of 1836, the Texian delegates signed an independence declaration, and the Texas Republic was formed.

In 1837 the Texas Republic attempted to be included in the United States. But it was only on December 29, 1845, that Texas became a formal state of The United States of America.

The Texas Geographical Regions

Texas is relatively flat, but there are mountains to the west. This state has 4 geographical regions, the Gulf Coast Plains, North Central Plains, the Great Plains, and the Basin and Range Province.

The Gulf Coast Plains

This vast area of Texas runs along the Gulf of Mexico. The landscape is filled with barrier islands, bays, and inlets of brackish water. The Gulf Coast Plains is divided into:

• The Coastal Prairies that is made up of a small area of what remains of the native grasslands.
• The Piney Woods is an endangered area of coniferous forests in the southeast of Texas.
• The Rio Grande Plain and Lower Rio Grande Valley is situated in the western and southern part of Texas.
• Texas Blackland Prairies is an area of tallgrass prairies.
• The Post Oak Belt is an area between the Blackland Prairie and Piney Woods.

The Interior Lowlands (North Central Plains)

This southwestern area extends into the Texas northeast region. The region is divided into:

• The Rolling Plains are set aside for the growing of wheat and the raising of cattle.
• Grand Prairie is mainly a rural area with few trees and no large cities.
• The Eastern and Western Cross Timbers (Ecoregion 29) is either forested or used for vegetable and fruit crops.

The Great Plains Of Texas

The Great Plains on the east side of the Rocky Mountains is where you will find the High Plains known as the Llano Estacado, a large flat area. The Caprock Escarpment is a fault that divides the West Texas Rolling Plains from the High Plains. At the lower section of the Great Plains is the Edward Plateau, where cattle, sheep, and goats are farmed.

The Basin And The Range Province In West Texas

In this region of West Texas, you will find Guadalupe Peak, which stands 8,749ft high. Another mountain range in this area is the Davis Mountains, formed from a volcano. There is a desert region, the Chihuahuan Desert, which lies in western Texas and parts of the Rio Grande Valley.

The Texas Shoreline

The Gulf South is where Texas has a shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico. This area stretches over 1,200 miles. Texas shares this coastline with four other states, known as the Gulf States. The length of this shoreline stretching over Texas is 367 miles.

Along the coastline is the Gulf Coast Plain which reaches the southern part of Texas. On the western side of the Gulf are many peninsulas and barrier islands. One of these islands is Padre Island which stretches for 130 miles along the Texas coastline. On the eastern side of Texas, the Gulf Coast is mainly marshland.

Over most parts of the east side of Texas, the Gulf Coast experiences extreme rainfall and hurricanes due to its tropical weather system.

Texas Statistics

Everything in Texas is big! This state has the biggest capital building and is the biggest cattle, cotton, and oil-producing state. Texas has one of the healthiest economies in the U.S., so it is a popular state for working families. This state is also where you will find the friendliest people.

Below are some Texas statistics:

FAQs About Texas

References:

• Texas, Region of the U.S.: wikipedia.org
• Geographical Regions of Texas: nationsonline.org
• The U.S. Midwest: britannica.com
• History of Texas: history.state.gov
• The Texas Shoreline: wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf Coast/

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Christian Linden

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Christian Linden is a seasoned writer and contributor at Texas View, specializing in topics that resonate with the Texan community. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Christian brings a wealth of knowledge in local politics, culture, and lifestyle. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Texas. When he's not writing, Christian enjoys spending weekends traveling across Texas with his family, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes.

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