Trans-Pecos
Encyclopedia
The term Trans-Pecos, as originally defined in 1887 by the Texas geologist Robert T. Hill
, refers to the portion of Texas
that lies west of the Pecos River
. The term is considered synonym
ous with "Far West Texas", a subdivision of West Texas
. The Trans-Pecos lies within the Chihuahuan Desert
, the most mountainous and arid portion of the state, and it is well known for its scenic desert
vistas, such as Big Bend National Park
and the Guadalupe Mountains
.
, Culberson
, El Paso, Hudspeth
, Jeff Davis
, Pecos
, Presidio
, Reeves
, and Terrell
counties (See table below). Brewster County, the largest, has a land area of 6193 sq mi (16,040 km²). To put this figure in perspective, consider that the land area of Brewster County is approximately 10% larger than the entire state of Connecticut
, yet it has a population density of only 1.4 persons per square mile compared to the 723 persons per square mile that reside in Connecticut. However, Brewster County is not the least populated of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos. Terrell County
, which borders both the Pecos River
and the Rio Grande
, is the least populated county in the Trans-Pecos region. According to the United States Census of 2000, Terrell County had a total population of 1,081 residents occupying a land area of 2358 sq mi (6,107 km²) resulting in a population density of less than 0.5 persons per square mile.
The Trans-Pecos is a region of extremes, and at the opposite extreme from sparsely populated Terrell County is El Paso County, which is the smallest but most populated of the nine counties. El Paso County has a land area of only 1015 sq mi (2,629 km²), yet it has a population of 775,085 individuals, resulting in a population density of 764 persons per square mile, a value that exceeds the 723 persons per square mile population density of Connecticut
.
Overall, the total population of the Trans-Pecos amounts to 830,808 residents occupying an area of 31479 sq mi (81,530 km²) resulting in a population density of around 26 persons per square mile (10 persons per km2).
Robert T. Hill
Robert Thomas Hill was a significant figure in the development of American geology during the late nineteenth century and in the early part of the twentieth century...
, refers to the portion of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
that lies west of the Pecos River
Pecos River
The headwaters of the Pecos River are located north of Pecos, New Mexico, United States, at an elevation of over 12,000 feet on the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in Mora County. The river flows for through the eastern portion of that state and neighboring Texas before it...
. The term is considered synonym
Synonym
Synonyms are different words with almost identical or similar meanings. Words that are synonyms are said to be synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is called synonymy. The word comes from Ancient Greek syn and onoma . The words car and automobile are synonyms...
ous with "Far West Texas", a subdivision of West Texas
West Texas
West Texas is a vernacular term applied to a region in the southwestern quadrant of the United States that primarily encompasses the arid and semi-arid lands in the western portion of the state of Texas....
. The Trans-Pecos lies within the Chihuahuan Desert
Chihuahuan Desert
The Chihuahuan Desert is a desert, and an ecoregion designation, that straddles the U.S.-Mexico border in the central and northern portions of the Mexican Plateau, bordered on the west by the extensive Sierra Madre Occidental range, and overlaying northern portions of the east range, the Sierra...
, the most mountainous and arid portion of the state, and it is well known for its scenic desert
Desert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
vistas, such as Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is a national park located in the U.S. state of Texas. Big Bend has national significance as the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States, which includes more than 1,200 species of plants, more than 450 species of birds, 56...
and the Guadalupe Mountains
Guadalupe Mountains
The Guadalupe Mountains are a mountain range located in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The range includes the highest summit in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, , and the "signature peak" of West Texas, El Capitan, both located within Guadalupe Mountains National Park, as well as Carlsbad Caverns...
.
Demographics
The Trans-Pecos region is divided into nine large counties: BrewsterBrewster County, Texas
Brewster County is a county located in western part of the US state of Texas, along the border with Mexico. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. As of the 2000 census, the population is 8,866. In 2009, the population was estimated to be 9,481. Its...
, Culberson
Culberson County, Texas
Culberson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 2,975. Culberson was founded in 1911. It is named for David B. Culberson, a lawyer and Confederate soldier in the American...
, El Paso, Hudspeth
Hudspeth County, Texas
Hudspeth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. As of 2000, the population was 3,344. By 2010, the population had increased to 3,476. Its county seat is Sierra Blanca. The largest city is Fort Hancock...
, Jeff Davis
Jeff Davis County, Texas
Jeff Davis County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. It is named for Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 2,207, and 2,258 by 2009...
, Pecos
Pecos County, Texas
Pecos County is a county located in Texas which is named for the Pecos River. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 16,809. The county seat is Fort Stockton....
, Presidio
Presidio County, Texas
Presidio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 7,304. Its county seat is Marfa. Presidio County is in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas and is named for the ancient border settlement of Presidio del Norte.-Geography:Presidio County is triangular in...
, Reeves
Reeves County, Texas
Reeves County is a county located in the US state of Texas. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 13,137. Its seat is Pecos. Reeves County is named for George R. Reeves, a Texas state legislator and colonel in the...
, and Terrell
Terrell County, Texas
Terrell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 1,081. Its county seat is Sanderson. The county was named for Alexander W. Terrell, a Texas state senator...
counties (See table below). Brewster County, the largest, has a land area of 6193 sq mi (16,040 km²). To put this figure in perspective, consider that the land area of Brewster County is approximately 10% larger than the entire state of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, yet it has a population density of only 1.4 persons per square mile compared to the 723 persons per square mile that reside in Connecticut. However, Brewster County is not the least populated of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos. Terrell County
Terrell County, Texas
Terrell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 1,081. Its county seat is Sanderson. The county was named for Alexander W. Terrell, a Texas state senator...
, which borders both the Pecos River
Pecos River
The headwaters of the Pecos River are located north of Pecos, New Mexico, United States, at an elevation of over 12,000 feet on the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in Mora County. The river flows for through the eastern portion of that state and neighboring Texas before it...
and the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
, is the least populated county in the Trans-Pecos region. According to the United States Census of 2000, Terrell County had a total population of 1,081 residents occupying a land area of 2358 sq mi (6,107 km²) resulting in a population density of less than 0.5 persons per square mile.
The Trans-Pecos is a region of extremes, and at the opposite extreme from sparsely populated Terrell County is El Paso County, which is the smallest but most populated of the nine counties. El Paso County has a land area of only 1015 sq mi (2,629 km²), yet it has a population of 775,085 individuals, resulting in a population density of 764 persons per square mile, a value that exceeds the 723 persons per square mile population density of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
.
Overall, the total population of the Trans-Pecos amounts to 830,808 residents occupying an area of 31479 sq mi (81,530 km²) resulting in a population density of around 26 persons per square mile (10 persons per km2).
| County | Area (mi2) | Population | Pop. Density (/mi2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewster | 6,193 | 8,866 | 1.43 |
| Culberson | 3,813 | 2,975 | 0.78 |
| El Paso | 1,015 | 775,085 | 764 |
| Hudspeth | 4,572 | 3,344 | 0.73 |
| Jeff Davis | 2,265 | 2,207 | 0.97 |
| Pecos | 4,765 | 16,809 | 3.53 |
| Presidio | 3,856 | 7,304 | 1.89 |
| Reeves | 2,642 | 13,137 | 4.97 |
| Terrell | 2,358 | 1,081 | 0.46 |
See also
- List of geographical regions in Texas
- Davis MountainsDavis MountainsThe Davis Mountains are a range of mountains in West Texas, located near Fort Davis, after which they are named. They are a popular site for camping and hiking and the region includes Fort Davis National Historic Site and Davis Mountains State Park...
- Guadalupe MountainsGuadalupe Mountains National ParkGuadalupe Mountains National Park is located in the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas and contains Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at in elevation. It also contains El Capitan, long used as a landmark by people traveling along the old route later followed by the Butterfield Overland...
- McKittrick CanyonMcKittrick CanyonMcKittrick Canyon is a scenic canyon within the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas. The steep towering walls of McKittrick Canyon protect a rich riparian oasis in the midst of the Chihuahuan Desert....
- Big BendBig Bend National ParkBig Bend National Park is a national park located in the U.S. state of Texas. Big Bend has national significance as the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States, which includes more than 1,200 species of plants, more than 450 species of birds, 56...