2. South Padre Island- Location
• Latitude - 26°06’13.29“N
• Longitude - 97°09’52.93“W
• On the southern most tip of Texas, about
30 miles away from Mexico
• Its location to the Equator makes it a
warm and sunny place to vacation
3. South Padre Island- Place
• Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the
Laguna Madre Bay
• It is a popular spot for college students on
spring break
• Retirees spending time there are known
as “Winter Texans”
4. South Padre Island- Scale
• The longest Barrier Island in the world
• 1 million people visit South Padre Island
each year, but 12 million people visit
Miami, Florida each year
– both have great beaches
5. South Padre Island- Distribution
• The largest stretch of undeveloped ocean
beach in North America
• People who live in the northern regions
come down to the island during the winter
especially the retirees
6. South Padre Island- Pattern
Relies on the Queen Isabella Causeway to
transport tourists from the mainland to the
island
– Its collapse in 2001 deserting the island when
access was limited
7. South Padre Island- Processes
Its location in the Gulf of Mexico makes
hurricanes a big risk
– At least five hurricanes have destroyed the
island
– Other hurricanes have damaged South Padre,
including Hurricane Dolly in 2008
8. South Padre Island-
Relationship
• It is a way to experience Mexico without
leaving the United States
• Tourism is important to the Texas
economy
The Queen Isabella Causeway that collapsed had been constructed in 1974. Which Replaced the original Queen Isabella Causeway, which became known as the Old Fishing Pier. The island has more tourists in the winter and in the spring months, which increases the population
In 1967 hurricane Beulah hits just south with 130mph winds this area got over 100mph winds & heavy damage from flooding & tornadoes. 1933 sept. 4-5th winds est at 80mph & 17 million dollars damage. The island was discovered in 1519 by Spanish explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda
Its beaches are ranked as one of America’s top 10 beaches
