Gulf Coast
Here you'll find the gigantic city of Houston, now the third largest city in the USA, as well as Corpus Christi and Galveston. This is the region of Texas that opens onto the entire coastline and the Gulf of Mexico - 1,000 km of coastline and beautiful beaches that are renowned seaside destinations. Unfortunately, this region suffers from numerous natural disasters, and goes through an annual "hurricane season" between June and the end of November. The region is also prone to tornadoes (as are other parts of Texas). It's a region where oil reigns, with numerous offshore drilling platforms , and the coasts suffered a major disaster in 2010 after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig, which caused an unprecedented oil spill that devastated the local ecosystem, which still hasn't fully recovered to this day.
Hill Country
Home to the famous city of Austin, as well as Fredericksburg. This is the geographic heart of Texas, distinguished from the rest by its rolling green hills. A popular destination for Texans, thanks in part to its natural watering holes, offering picturesque and refreshing swimming. Its small towns are full of charm and culture. A popular destination also for its many ranches and vineyards.
South Texas Plains
This is where you'll find San Antonio and the Southern Plains, stretching as far as the Rio Grande Valley. Known for its many ranches, this region is very Hispanic, heir to Spanish colonial culture. Between the Rio Grande Valley and the San Antonio River, the Southern Plains region hides picturesque canyons and bodies of water ideal for outdoor adventures. In spring, you'll see an abundance of colorful wildflowers!
Prairies and Lakes
Between north and central Texas, this region marks the geographical transition between the plains of the west and the piney woods of the east. Furnished with prairies, it features gently rolling hills dotted with woods, rivers and especially lakes. The land is rich and fertile, which explains the strong agricultural presence. It's a popular region for fishing enthusiasts and water sports enthusiasts, thanks in particular to its many lakes, including Lake Fork and Lake Ray Roberts.
Piney Woods
This wooded area is the greenest part of Texas, very different from the Hill Country, closer to Louisiana and its bayous than to the Texas desert. Fishing enthusiasts like to go here to catch fish or even alligators, thanks to the large lakes and rivers. The Spanish moss-covered trees give it a much more Creole feel, unique to the neighboring state. It's also a popular destination for glamping! Head to Caddo Lake for a scenic stay among the frogs and alligators..
Panhandle Plains
Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Lubbock... From mesquite-covered valleys to majestic red cliffs, the State Parks all offer a range of wild landscapes at the gateway to the Wild West. This is where you'll find the second widest Canyon in the USA, a recommended destination for road-trips. Head for Palo Duro Canyon, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of Texas, with its 240-metre cliffs! Be careful in winter, as it can snow very quickly. This region's main industry is cattle ranching. The name "Panhandle" comes from its geographical shape, which resembles the handle of a frying pan.
Big Bend Country
This remote region of Texas offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the state, as well as the starriest night skies. Big Bend Country encompasses the territory from the Rio Grande to the largest city in West Texas, El Paso. The region contains several protected natural parks, including the must-see Big Bend National Park, offering an ideal environment for outdoor adventures. For example, a park too often forgotten but well worth a visit is Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site, 64 km east of El Paso, containing a natural rock basin that collected rainwater sought by ancient peoples. The region is also home to the highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak (2,766 m) in the Guadalupe Mountains. The western plains, home to Odessa and the Midlands, are covered by flatlands, and include Monahans Sandhills State Park: sand dunes that are very pleasant all year round.
From New Mexico
Although considerably smaller than its neighbor, New Mexico nevertheless boasts a great deal of natural diversity. The state has four geographic regions: Great Plains, Colorado Plateau, Rocky Mountains and Basin and Range Province. New Mexico shares borders with Colorado, Texas, Mexico, Oklahoma and Arizona.
The Great Plains that cover the eastern part of the state begin with the high plateau north of the Pecos River. The rivers of the plateau have cut deep canyons. This region is mainly populated by ranches.
The Santa Fe region is situated between the Rocky Mountains and forests, with sublime surrounding landscapes, opening out towards the Rocky Mountains with the Colorado River to the north. On the Colorado Plateau, in the northwest of the state, you'll find long stretches of desert, plains and gorges. The northwest is also shared with the Navajo Nation, a Native American reservation that also extends into Arizona and Utah. This rugged area is characterized by large valleys, deep canyons, sheer cliffs and flat-topped hills called mesas . The continental divide happens to cross the Colorado Plateau. Rivers to the west of the line flow into the Pacific Ocean, while those to the east flow into the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio Grande River crosses the Rocky Mountains from north to south. To the east of the Rio Grande lies the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) mountain range. Here lies New Mexico's highest peak: Wheeler Peak, 4,013 meters high. To the west of the Rio Grande lie the Nacimiento and Jemez mountain ranges.
The Basin and Range Province covers about a third of the state and lies to the south of the Rocky Mountains region. This region extends south from near Santa Fe into Mexico and west into Arizona. It is marked by rocky mountain ranges, such as the Guadalupe, Mogollon, Organ, Sacramento and San Andres ranges, separated by desert basins. The Rio Grande River flows south to form the border between Texas and Mexico.
In the south of the state, you'll find White Sands National Monument, a unique place in the heart of a desert ocean alternating between gypsum dunes and rocky peaks, and a beloved destination for campers. Don't be fooled by the heat during the day, as it can get very cold at night.
