Texas has one of the most varied topographies of any U.S. state.
- **Highest point:** Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 ft (2,667 m), in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. - **Lowest point:** Sea level along the Gulf Coast. - **Major mountain areas:** Guadalupe Mountains, Davis Mountains, Chisos Mountains, and smaller Trans-Pecos ranges. - **Plateaus and uplands:** The Edwards Plateau dominates much of Central Texas; the Llano Estacado forms a broad, elevated plain in the Panhandle and South Plains. - **Plains and prairies:** Large parts of North and West Texas consist of prairie, rolling plains, and high plains landscapes. - **Hill systems:** The Texas Hill Country is known for steep limestone ridges, springs, canyons, and river valleys. - **Coastal features:** The Gulf Coastal Plain slopes gently toward the sea and includes bays, wetlands, estuaries, and barrier islands such as Padre Island. - **Flood plains:** Major river systems create broad flood plains, especially along the Brazos, Trinity, Colorado, and lower Rio Grande. - **Canyons:** Palo Duro Canyon in the Panhandle is one of the largest canyon systems in the United States.
Topographic variation affects settlement, agriculture, transportation, biodiversity, and climate. Mountainous and desert terrain dominate the far west, while flatter agricultural and urban corridors shape much of the center, north, and coast.
