Texas Hill Country
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
Texas Hill Country
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Capture
Description
The Texas Hill Country is a twenty-five county region of central and South Texas featuring karst topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes, dolines, and caves..
The tall rugged hills consisting of thin layers of soil atop limestone or granite. The hill country also includes the Llano Uplift and the second largest granite dome in the United States called Enchanted Rock. The Texas Hill Country reaches into portions of the two major metropolitan areas, especially in San Antonio's northern suburbs and the western half of Travis County, ending southwest of Downtown Austin. The region is the eastern portion of the Edwards Plateau and is bound by the Balcones Fault on the east and the Llano Uplift to the west and north. The terrain is punctuated by a large number of limestone or granite rocks and boulders and a thin layer of topsoil, which makes the region very dry and prone to flash flooding. The Texas Hill Country is also home to several native types of vegetation, such as various yucca, prickly pear cactus, cedar scrub, and the dry Southwestern tree known as the Texas live oak.
Several cities were settled at the base of the Balcones Escarpment, including Austin, San Marcos, and New Braunfels, as a result of springs discharging water stored in the Edwards Aquifer.
Not only is the Hill Country central to Texas and home of the capital city Austin, but many consider this the heart and soul of the state. Perhaps only here have such an array of cultural and natural features come together to create such a uniquely charming region. The land's beautiful rolling hills, sparkling rivers and bold display of bluebonnets every spring are matched by the independent spirit of the people and a level of cultural diversity Texans pride themselves on.
Ordered photographs will not contain the FAA watermark. Image copyright 2016 Jon Burch Photography all rights reserved.
Uploaded
January 16th, 2016
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