2. What is a region?
A region is an area with one or more traits,
characteristics, features that are common
and make it different from surrounding
areas.
Regions are defined by
Scale
Physical characteristics
Human characteristics
3. Geographic Regions:
by definition
There three types of regions
Formal regions are areas where a certain
characteristic is found throughout.
Functional regions consist of a central place and
the surrounding places affected by it.
Perceptual regions are defined by people’s
attitudes and feelings about areas.
4. FORMAL REGION
(also known as uniform region)
Characterized by a common
human property:
Language
Religion
Nationality
political identity or culture
common physical property
Climate
Landform
Vegetation
Defined by measures of:
Population
per capita income
ethnic background
crop production
population density and
distribution
Industrial production
mapping physical characteristics
Temperature
Rainfall
growing season
5. Formal Regions:
Political
Defined by common
political identity.
Political units: where all
people are subject to same
laws and government.
Examples are:
States
Countries
Cities
Counties
Provinces
6. Formal Regions:
Great Plains &
the Pampas
Great Plains - temperate
(warm) grasslands and
fertile soils
Pampas - Argentina and
southern South America:
temperate (warm)
grasslands and fertile soils
8. Formal Regions: Chinatown
(San Francisco, CA)
Chinatown - San
Francisco (other big
cities in USA) - Chinese
people, restaurants,
stores.
9. Functional Regions
Consist of a central place and the
surrounding places affected by it.
Often linked by the flow or
movement of something
I.e. - Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Metropolitan Area = linked by a
common airport
Organized around a node or focal
point with the surrounding areas
linked to that node by:
transportation systems
communication systems
other economic associations
involving such activities as
manufacturing and retail
trading.
10. Functional regions:
►Defined by a set of activities, connections or interactions
► For example:
► Newspaper circulation area
► Commuter traffic patterns
► Subway systems in NYC, Boston, etc.
► Highway systems
11. Functional Regions: Amazon River
Drainage Basin
“Basin” - Bowl or dish-shaped geographic feature. Water
runs to and settles in the middle
Amazon River Basin - > 80 in. rain/yr., > 80º F constant
temperatures
12. Functional Region: The Andean Highlands
The Andes Mountains and surrounding highlands
are a functional region
14. Perceptual Regions Defined by people’s
attitudes and feelings
about areas.
Sometimes called
“vernacular” regions
May vary by individual
perceptions
The American South:
sometimes known as
* “Heart of Dixie”
* “Dixie”
* “Cotton Belt”
15. PERCEPTUAL REGIONS
Reflect people’s mental maps.
Often use stereotypes that may be
inappropriate or incorrect.
Do not have precise borders.
16. Let’s look at our own perceptions,
stereotypes and attitudes
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind…….
►Southern California
►The South or Dixie
►Iraq
►New York City
►Utah
►Detroit
