Explore the map of West Texas showing country boundary, county boundary, interstate highways, US highways, railroads, major cities, major towns, national parks and airports.
Counties in West Texas
Andrews
Bailey
Borden
Brewster
Brown
Callahan
Castro
Cochran
Coke
Coleman
Comanche
Concho
Crane
Crockett
Crosby
Culberson
Dawson
Deaf Smith
Dickens
Eastland
Ector
El Paso
Fisher
Floyd
Gaines
Garza
Glasscock
Hale
Haskell
Hockley
Howard
Hudspeth
Irion
Jeff Davis
Jones
Kent
Kimble
King
Knox
Lamb
Loving
Lubbock
Lynn
Martin
Mason
McCulloch
Menard
Midland
Mitchell
Motley
Nolan
Pecos
Presidio
Reagan
Reeves
Runnels
Schleicher
Scurry
Shackelford
Stephens
Sterling
Stonewall
Sutton
Taylor
Terrell
Terry
Throckmorton
Tom Green
Upton
Ward
Winkler
Yoakum
Major Cities
El Paso
Lubbock
Midland
Abilene
Odessa
San Angelo
Socorro
Horizon City
Big Spring
Plainview
Airports
El Paso International Airport (ELP)
Midland International Air & Space Port (MAF)
Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB)
Abilene Regional Airport (ABI)
San Angelo Regional Airport – Mathis Field (SJT)
Cavern City Air Terminal (CNM) – serving Carlsbad, NM (near West Texas)
Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport (E38)
Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle Airport (BPG)
Pecos City Municipal Airport (PEQ)
Winkler County Airport (INK)
Marfa Municipal Airport (MRF)
Fort Stockton-Pecos County Airport (FST)
Sweetwater’s Avenger Field (SWW)
Del Rio International Airport (DRT)
Snyder/Winston Field Airport (SNK)
Andrews County Airport (E11)
Plainview-Hale County Airport (PVW)
Brownfield Municipal Airport (F82)
Major Attractions
Big Bend National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Davis Mountains State Park
McDonald Observatory
Marfa Lights Viewing Area
Chinati Foundation
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (near West Texas)
Balmorhea State Park
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
Monahans Sandhills State Park
El Paso Mission Trail
Prada Marfa
The Marfa Mystery Lights
Chisos Mountains
Museum of the Big Bend
Terlingua Ghost Town
Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch
Alpine's Historic Downtown
About West Texas
Geography and Landscape
Texas' great western region is a large, dry and mountainous part of the state, which also covers a large area of country, and includes desert, mountains, canyons and plateaus. The climate is typically dry and warm, with few plants growing xerophytic (cacti, mesquite and grasses). The Chihuahuan Desert, the biggest desert in North America, is also the home of the Guadalupe Mountains, which have the highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, at 8,751 feet.
Climate
The climate of West Texas is cold in the higher elevations, but is mostly hot and arid; with mild winters it can have. In the summer it is frequently over one hundred degrees, especially in the desert. The region has a low precipitation level; it receives between 8 and 20 inches of precipitation a year, and the further east, the more precipitation. The higher elevations, including the Davis and Guadalupe Mountains, can see occasional snowfall.
Counties and Major Cities
There are a number of counties in West Texas, El Paso, Hudspeth, Brewster, Presidio, Jeff Davis, Reeves, Pecos, and Midland, the biggest one being El Paso, a city on the border with Mexico and the hub of its economy and culture. Midland and Odessa are also significant cities due to their oil and gas activities, and Alpine, Marfa, and Fort Stockton are the entries to the area's natural scenery.
Economy and Industry
Economy of state is mainly supported by the oil and gas production from West Texas. One of the most productive oil fields in the United States, the Permian Basin, covers most of the region and is a significant contributor to the nation’s energy output. Cattle ranching, cotton farming and pecan production are also a prominent agriculture industry. The tourism industry has also been growing, spurred by the area's national parks, historical sites and cultural attractions.
Major Attractions
There are natural and cultural attractions in West Texas as well. Big Bend National Park is 800,000 acres along the Rio Grande, has striking canyons, scenic mountain landscapes, and a diverse wildlife. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the state’s highest peaks and picturesque hiking trails. Marfa has gained fame for its contemporary art scene at Chinati Foundation and the mysterious Marfa Lights. An understanding of frontier military history can be gained at Fort Davis National Historic Site, and Balmorhea State Park contains one of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pools.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Several major highways service the region, including I-10 running east to west and I-20 which links Midland-Odessa to the rest of the state. The biggest airport is El Paso International Airport, but Midland International Air & Space Port is also a significant transportation hub. Railroads are still important for transporting goods, especially oil and agricultural products, despite being once vital to the area's economic development.
Culture and History
Being influenced by the Native American, Spanish, Mexican and American frontier culture west Texas has a rich cultural heritage. The Spanish arrived as early as the 16th century, and before them the area was home to the Apache and the Comanche. It was the opening up of the country by the expansion of the railroads and cattle farming in the 19th century which more or less determined the present day layout. Modern day; the region keeps up solid Western and cowboy culture, which can be seen in rodeos, ranching communities and historical reenactments.
Education and Institutions
Several higher education institutions are in West Texas, including Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Sul Ross State University in Alpine, and the University of Texas at El Paso. These institutions are adding to research in energy, agriculture, and desert ecosystems, thus adding to the region’s academic footprint.
Wildlife and Natural Ecosystems
West Texas has varied ecosystems and supports a wide variety of wildlife. Black bears, mountain lions, javelinas and golden eagles can be found in Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The Rio Grande is a life giving water source for migratory birds and aquatic species. The goals are to protect the habitats for the natives while also meeting the needs of agriculture and industry.
