The Hill Country is considered to be a region of Texas that is merely perceived by the surroundings. Stretching into twenty-five different counties, it has a rough geographic boundary, but is mostly linguistically defined. It is however, primarily contained within the region between and containing the Edwards Plateau to the west, prairies and plains to the north and the Balcones Escarpment to the South and East. This unique location is littered with caves and other karst topographical features. Only a certain set of species of plants can survive in this region due to the lack of a thick topsoil layer. Beneath the thin topsoil layer are thick layers of sedimentary Limestone and in some areas, Granite.
It is on the edge of the humid eastern part of the state and the semi-arid western part of the state, making an ideal climate for certain species to inhabit. Most of the Hill Country is between 1400 and 2200 feet above sea level with the higher elevations are found in the northern region and the lower in the southern region. The habitat is primarily a grass prairie mix. Texas Red and Live Oaks cover the countryside as well as Ashe Juniper and other shrubby trees. The climate here allows for land use such as establishing a ranch or vineyard. Vineyards are en example of the unique culture produced from the land here.
The Texas Hill Country is a conglomeration of cultures from across the pond and south of the border, stretching from West Austin to San Antonio. The different European ancestry that has roots here is combined with the Mexican culture to produce a distinct mix that is found almost exclusively in this region. This convergence is the precursor and cause of the distinctive cultural traits expressed today in the area. One of the most influential traits of the Hill Country is the amount of ranching happening. The eccentricity, music, art and food are all linked to the different sectors of culture found in the Hill Country. This, being a unique region, sets the BBQ aside from the rest of the state and the world.