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Physical Map of Texas - Geographical Features of Texas

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:40 ET

Physical Map of Texas showing the geographical features of the state such as rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, elevations, plateaus, plains, topography, water bodies and many other Texas physical features.

Texas Physical Map

Physical Features of Texas

Texas features a vast and varied landscape that ranges from coastal plains along the Gulf of Mexico to mountains and deserts in the west. The eastern region is covered with forests and rolling hills, while central Texas includes prairies and limestone plateaus. Western Texas becomes more rugged with desert basins and mountain ranges such as the Guadalupe Mountains. Major rivers like the Rio Grande and Brazos shape the terrain, and the state’s size creates a wide range of natural environments.

Major Landforms in Texas

LandformTypeRegionDescription
Gulf Coastal PlainPlainSouthFlat coastal lowland
Edwards PlateauPlateauCentralLimestone hill country
Great PlainsPlainNorthWide grassland region
Trans-PecosDesertWestArid mountainous desert
Piney WoodsForestEastDense forest region
Llano UpliftUplandCentralGranite hill region
High PlainsPlainNorthwestElevated flat plains
Blackland PrairiePlainCentralFertile farmland area
Rio Grande ValleyValleySouthRiver floodplain region
Caprock EscarpmentEscarpmentNorthwestSteep geological boundary

Major Mountain Ranges in Texas

Mountain RangeRegionHighest PeakElevation
Guadalupe MountainsWestGuadalupe Peak8,751 ft
Davis MountainsWestMount Livermore8,382 ft
Chisos MountainsSouthwestEmory Peak7,825 ft
Franklin MountainsWestNorth Franklin Peak7,192 ft

Major Rivers and Water Bodies in Texas

NameTypeRegionNotable Feature
Rio GrandeRiverSouthForms Mexico border
Brazos RiverRiverCentralLongest river in Texas
Colorado RiverRiverCentralFlows to Gulf
Red RiverRiverNorthForms Oklahoma border
Trinity RiverRiverEastFlows through Dallas
Lake TexomaLakeNorthLarge border reservoir
Sam Rayburn ReservoirLakeEastLargest lake in Texas
Lake LivingstonLakeEastMajor water supply
Amistad ReservoirLakeSouthwestBorder reservoir
Gulf of MexicoOceanSouthCoastal boundary

Elevation and Terrain in Texas

Texas has a wide range of elevations, from sea level along the Gulf Coast to high mountain peaks in the west. Guadalupe Peak is the highest point, while the lowest point lies at the Gulf of Mexico. The terrain includes plains, hills, deserts, and mountains.

FeatureElevation / Detail
Highest PointGuadalupe Peak – 8,751 ft
Lowest PointGulf of Mexico – sea level
Average Elevation1,700 ft
Terrain TypePlains, deserts, mountains

Texas Physical Map Facts

FeatureDetail
StateTexas
Total Area268,596 sq mi
Land Area261,232 sq mi
Water Area7,365 sq mi
Highest PointGuadalupe Peak
Lowest PointGulf of Mexico
Longest RiverBrazos River
Largest LakeSam Rayburn Reservoir
Major LandformsPlains, Plateau, Desert
Main Water BodiesRio Grande, Gulf of Mexico
Terrain TypeHighly varied terrain
CoastlineGulf of Mexico coastline