Texas Gulf Coast in the context of "Texas"

⭐ In the context of Texas, the presence of a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico primarily contributes to which characteristic of the state?

Ad spacer

⭐ Core Definition: Texas Gulf Coast

Texas Gulf Coast is an intertidal zone which borders the coastal region of South Texas, Southeast Texas, and the Texas Coastal Bend. The Texas coastal geography boundaries the Gulf of Mexico encompassing a geographical distance relative bearing at 367 miles (591 km) of coastline according to CRS and 3,359 miles (5,406 km) of shoreline according to NOAA.

↓ Menu

>>>PUT SHARE BUTTONS HERE<<<

👉 Texas Gulf Coast in the context of Texas

Texas (/ˈtɛksəs/ TEK-səss) is the most populous state in the South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and an international border with the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the south and southwest. Texas has a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast. Covering 268,596 square miles (695,660 km) and with over 31 million residents as of 2024, it is the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population. Texas is nicknamed the "Lone Star State" for the single star on its flag, symbolic of its former status as an independent country, the Republic of Texas.

Spain was the first European country to claim and control Texas. Following a short-lived colony controlled by France, Mexico controlled the land until 1836 when Texas won its independence, becoming the Republic of Texas. In 1845, Texas joined the United States of America as the 28th state. The state's annexation set off a chain of events that led to the Mexican–American War in 1846. Following victory by the United States, Texas remained a slave state until the American Civil War, when it declared its secession from the Union in early 1861 before officially joining the Confederate States on March 2. After the Civil War and the restoration of its representation in the federal government, Texas entered a long period of economic stagnation.

↓ Explore More Topics
In this Dossier

Texas Gulf Coast in the context of Fort Velasco

Fort Velasco was a small circular palisade fort built by a garrison of Mexican soldiers at (what would become known as) Velasco, Texas at the present-day location of Surfside Beach on the northeast bank at the mouth of the Brazos River and Texas Gulf Coast. The name also applies to at least three other forts built at almost the same location, one during the Texas Revolution, and two during the Civil War.

In response to fear of annexation of Texas by the United States during the era of Mexican Texas, the Mexican Congress passed the Law of April 6, 1830, which halted legal immigration by Americans and established military occupation. Initially, sporadic efforts were made to establish a customs post at this location in 1830 and then again in 1831, but these efforts were less than successful. As a result, "Fortaleza de Velasco" was erected in April to May 1832 by the order of General Terán to enforce the customs and immigration provisions of the new law for the customs port of entry.

↑ Return to Menu

Texas Gulf Coast in the context of Texas barrier islands

The Texas barrier islands are a chain of barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico along the Texas Gulf Coast. The islands enclose a series of estuaries along the Texas coast and attract tourists for activities such as recreational fishing and dolphin watching. The seven barrier islands, listed from northeast to southwest, are Galveston Island, Follet's Island, Matagorda Island, San José Island, Mustang Island, Padre Island, and Brazos Island.

Padre Island is the world's largest barrier island, with a length of 113 miles (182 km). Since 1962 Padre Island has been divided in two by the dredging of the Port Mansfield Channel roughly 30 miles (48 km) north of the south end of the island, which separated it into portions referred to as South Padre Island and North Padre Island.

↑ Return to Menu

Texas Gulf Coast in the context of Texas Coastal Bend

The Texas Coastal Bend, or just the Coastal Bend, is a geographical region in the US state of Texas. The name refers to the area being a curve along the Texas Gulf Coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The largest city of the Coastal Bend is Corpus Christi. It includes the Nueces Estuary (Corpus Christi Bay) and the MissionAransas Estuary (Aransas Bay), as well as part of Laguna Madre. The coastline is paralleled by several of the Texas barrier islands, including North Padre Island, Mustang Island, and San José Island.

The Coastal Bend consists of 9 counties: Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio Counties.

↑ Return to Menu